(Ask for the Assemblies of God rate unless otherwise noted below)

Hyatt Place (4.3 miles)
10744 Gold Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: 916.635.4799    
Rate: $104 + tax (included Breakfast)
Reservations must be made by 3.8.12

Fairfield Inn (4.3 miles)
10745 Gold Center Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: 916.858.8680    
Rate: $90 + tax (includes Deluxe Breakfast Buffet)
Reservations must be made by 3.8.12

Courtyard by Marriott (4.5 miles)
10683 White Rock Rd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: 800.321.2211    
Rate: $96 + tax
Reservations must be made by 3.12.12

Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova (5.2 miles)
11211 Point East Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
$139 — Deluxe King Room
$139 — Deluxe 2 Queen Room
Reserve Online
Guests may also make their reservations by calling the central reservationist at 866.232.4541 and asking for the “Assemblies of God” room block.

RV PARKING is available at Capital Christian Center (no hook-ups). For information and reservations, please contact Capital Christian Center at 916.856.5683.

Official press release from James R. Braddy, District Superintendent

Dear Friends:

The officers of Bethany Board and Bethany Corporation signed the initial paper work on the sale of Bethany Campus to Olivet University. A wire transfer for the beginning down payment was made by Olivet to Bethany. While there are still other details to work out and matters to be decided, the first steps have been taken.

Olivet University will begin occupying the campus and plans on opening classes in September. Special thanks to Dr. Jay Herndon and Barrie Laing, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for doing the “heavy lifting” in the intricate negotiations on the lease and sales agreement. Let us rejoice that this process has taken a major step toward completion and that the campus will be “alive” with students this fall.

Due to the complexities of this transaction and discovery of a previous unknown California Corporation law, the Attorney General of the State of California must approve the sale and it may necessitate another corporation meeting to approve the specific points of the sale. If this is a requirement placed upon us there will be a special called corporation meeting on October 20 at 2:00 PM in Sacramento at Trinity Church. Please set this time aside now as this will be the last piece in approving and closing the transaction with Olivet University.

Bethany Transcripts and Student Accounts office will move to Sacramento, until July 2012, when it will move to Vanguard University. Former students may still obtain their transcripts (and pay their student bill).

Olivet University is accredited with the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Olivet is sponsored by the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches, which is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Alliance.

The Board of Trustees rejoices that God has provided a worthy successor to continue the mission of spiritual formation and ministry training on the sacred ground of Bethany Park.

Thank you for your prayers and support through this long and arduous process.

Prayerfully yours,
James R Braddy
District Superintendent

For transcript information, billings, or any other inquiries, please call Georgia Fortenberry or Dana Fearn at 916-379-9600. Postal inquires may be sent to: Bethany, PO Box 292956, Sacramento, CA 95829-2956.

The Christian Bass Anglers Fellowship, in conjunction with the Northern California Nevada District of the Assemblies of God will host the Honor Bound Bass Fishing Tournament on April 13-14 on Folsom Lake.

The host Church, Harvest Community Church in Roseville, California will be the venue for the pretournament activities including a great dinner on Friday evening. Dr Samuel Huddleston, Assistant Superintendent, will be the guest Speaker for the Friday night event. The Friday evening dinner is included in the $100 Team entry fee. Family members and other guests are asked to make a small donation for their dinner.  The Friday evening meeting is mandatory.  The Tournament will launch out of Granite Bay on Folsom Lake. More details and rules will be provided at the Friday meeting. We will return to Harvest Community Church for the awards and prizes following the weigh-in. Register on-line at www.thecbaf.com or call 209-852-0157 for a registration form. For more information contact Paul Baker at 209-852-0157.

This year’s Student Ministries Fine Arts Festival will take place in two different venues:

March 30-31
The Champion Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

April 13-14
Sunset Christian Center
Rocklin, California

Fine Arts Festival is designed to help students discover and develop their ministry gifts in a broad assortment of categories:

• Rap
• Choir
• Drums
• Guitar
• Drama
• Poetry
• Vocals
• Writing
• Visual Art
• Short Film
• Percussion
• Short Story
• Instruments
• Human Video
• Photography
• Spoken Word
• Worship Band
• Short Sermon
• SIgn Language
• Christian Band
• Graphic Design
• Worship Dance

For more information, visit the NCN Student Ministries website.

Influence is a conference specifically for student leaders and influencers. Scheduled for March 17 at Real Life Church in Sacramento (1921 Arena Boulevard, Suite 100), the conference will focus on four areas: Global Missions, Campus Ministry, Speed The Light, and Evangelism.

For more information, visit the NCN Student Ministries website.

This year’s Northern California & Nevada Kids Camps, with a theme of “Upside Down,” are scheduled for the following dates this summer:

June 25-28
Sugar Pine Christian Camp
South San Joaquin Section
Cost: $190

July 9-13
Redwood Family Campground
Redwood Section
Cost: $135

July 23-27
Mt. Lassen A/G Campground
Valley Ridge Section
Cost: $135

Kids camp (for children in grades 3-6) is an amazing time for children to draw close to God. There are so many sounds screaming for their attention, it is difficult for children to hear the voice of God speaking in their hearts. At camp, the children:

• hear the Word of God
• worship
• make friends
• play games<.li>
• learn in workshops
• play in water<.li>
• work on projects
• enjoy team activities
• and get closer to God

For more information, visit the NCNKids.com website.

The third annual BGMC Kids Missions Trip is scheduled for May 18-19 at Hilltop Community Church in Richmond, CA (3118 Shane Drive).

This exciting event for kids in grades 3-6 will include a missions project, a pretend missions trip, experiencing travel (passports, medical, security, customs), meeting missionaries, fun projects and activities, and a Boys & Girls Missionary Crusade rally!

Cost
Registration will be $35 per person. This includes individual passport, rallies, activities, late night snack, lodging in the church, breakfast, travel in a real bus, a country visit with missionaries, lunch and a t-shirt.

For more information, visit the NCNKids.com website.

This year’s Northern California & Nevada District Children’s Ministries Fine Arts Festival will take place on March 10 at Thrive Church in Elk Grove, California (3109 Dwight Road).

The all-day event will include workshops, main sessions, t-shirts, activities, lunch and snack. The theme verse for this event is 1 Samuel 16:7b — “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Cost
Registration will be $35 per person (pre-registration ends February 24).

To enter the Fine Arts Portion, the cost will be $6 per entry for groups of 1-3 students and $9 per entry for groups of 4 students or more.

Guest Speaker: Nehemiah Rogers

Affidavit & Volunteer Application Deadline: Postmarked by February 29
New policy: Any background tapes, PowerPoint files, or media entries must be submitted two weeks prior to the event on February 24.

For more information, visit NCNKids.com.

This year’s Northern California & Nevada Teen Girls Conference, with a theme of “Called To Be More!” will take place July 5-7 at the Redwood Christian Campground in Garberville, California.

This conference is specifically for the teen girl called to be more for the Kingdom of God. Only 20 places available. Our theme verse will be Romans 8:37 — “... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Cost
The cost of the conference will be $165 (before June 21).

Visit the NCN Girls Ministries website for more information.

This year’s Northern California & Nevada Girls Ministries Stars Camp, with a theme of “Reaching 4 Gold,” will take place June 13-16 at the Springs of Living Water Campground in Chico, California.

Stars Camp is for girls in 3rd-6th grade. During camp, the girls will have workshops, games, activities, worship and the Word of God. The theme this year will incorporate atheltics based on Reaching for Gold. An optional triathlon is available for individuals or team entries. Our theme verse will be Philippians 3:14 — “... press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Speaker
Our speaker will be Trinity Thompson, track athlete (sprints) from Stanford University. Trinity is a successful athlete serving the Lord at Stanford in Chi Alpha as the Women’s Leader. She has a strong passion to serve Jesus. The girls will be challenged to serve the Lord with focus and dedication.

Cost
The cost of the camp will be $175 (until June 1). Camp extras will include Camp Pictures (for $10) and Triathlon (for $15).

Visit NCN Girls Ministries website for more information.

NCN Men’s Ministries presents MAN UP 3, “IN IT TO WIN IT.”

Speakers include: Donnie Moore, Doug Bird, Richie Sandavol (former WBA Bantamweight champion and US Olympian), Kenny Bayless (Best known for having refereed the Super Fights of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton,  and Oscar de la Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather). Worship with Rodney Waters and Kevin Allen.

Location:  Harvest Church,  10385 E. Stockton, Blvd., Elk Grove, CA

Dates: March 23-24, 2012 . . . registration opens at 1pm, March 23th

Hotels:  Hilton Garden Inn, 9241 Laguna Springs, Dr., Elk Grove, CA   p: 916-691-1900 ($89 per night) rate confirmed by stating your attendance at the ManUp conference

Cost: Early Bird before March 10th is $35, includes conference t-shirt. At the door, $45

Activities include: Golf, Motorcycle run, shooting, and the annual Car Show

You can register in one of two ways:

• Online: Click here for our online registration form
• By Mail: Click here to download our mail-in registration form (Adobe Reader required)

Participate in an Exciting Growth and Transformational Learning Experience!

We invite you to join a cohort!  A Cohort is a group of pastors from a region in our district who want to receive training, tools, coaching and connection with one another to advance their churches.  These Cohorts are designed to assist you in taking your church to the next level.  Our goal is to give you practical tools that will set a realistic course for you and your church.  You will learn ways to put together a strategic plan which will be unique to your church body and community. Over a two-year period, you will receive instruction in the 15 vital components of the pastorate (Healthy Pastor) and the 15 vital functions of church life (Healthy Church).  There will be 4 Ministry Cohort Training sessions each year for a total of 8 sessions.  There will be 6 different meeting locations around our district.  You can join at anytime!  Each session will stand alone as a benefit to you, even if you choose not to join.  We encourage you to come and check out one of our Cohorts.

Registration
Each Lead Pastor must complete a registration form. There are two ways to register:

1. By Mail: Download the registration form (Adobe Reader required), complete it, and mail it to the District Resource Center along with your payment. Make check payable to the Assemblies of God (memo: MCT), 6051 S. Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA 95829. For more information, call 916.379.9600, extension 1127.
2. Online: Complete our online registration form. Then make your payment at the door at the first training session.

If you have any questions, contact Pam Garcia at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call the office at 916-379-9600 ext. 1127.

What To Expect

• 4 - 4 hour training sessions per year for a total of 8
• Biblically based and Holy Spirit driven practical tools for advancement
• Assessment and useful tools to discern influences hindering the pastor and church health
• Relevant methodologies
• Coaching and Leadership training by appointment
• Encouragement and networking with other pastors

Church Membership Costs
$199 per year. Membership costs cover:

• Lead Pastor and one other person - ie: spouse, staff person or lay leader (each additional person from the same church is $49.00 per year)
• Materials for all training sessions at the location you choose
• Access to individual coaching and on-site training

Individual Cost: $69 per training session (Note:  This option is available for those who choose not to commit to the full year of training.)

Ministry Cohort Training Locations:

1.  District Resource Center (Sacramento)
6051 S. Watt Avenue
9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursdays
Jan. 19th, March 29th, June 14th Sept. 20th

2.  Central San Joaquin (Turlock)
Harvest Christian Center
9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursdays
Feb. 16th, May 10th, July 19th, Oct. 4th

3.  Coast Counties (Hollister)                   
Sunnyslope Christian Center
10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays
Jan. 14th, March 12th, May 10th, Aug. 25th

4.  Mt. Shasta (Weed)
Assembly of God, Weed                      
10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays
Feb. 25th, May 19th, July 28th, Oct. 13th

5.  So. Bay (Los Gatos)
Legacy Community Church                      
9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesdays
Jan. 31st, March 27th, June 5th, Sept. 18th
           
6.  Sierra Nevada (Reno)
Reno Assembly of God
10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesdays
Feb. 21st, May 15th, July 24th, Oct. 9th
 
7.  Southern Nevada (Las Vegas)
Trinity Life Church
9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursdays
Jan. 26th, March 15th, June 21st, Sept. 27th

Contact Robert Douglas today about how you and your church can participate in our district Ministry Cohort Training! 916-379-9600 ext. 1127

Bring “Living Water” to the Desert
God is giving Crosswinds Assembly and the Northern California & Nevada District a great opportunity to partner together in building a new facility in Fernley, Nevada.

The churches and ministers of this District are being challenged to raise sufficient funds over the next 12 months to help erect and outfit this new facility.

Webster defines opportunity as “a favorable combination of circumstances.” Through the combined sacrifice and giving of churches and the members of Crosswinds, we can do what the other definition of opportunity says: “A chance for advancement.”

Working together, Northern California & Nevada churches and Crosswinds Assembly will advance the kingdom! A new church will grace Fernley and become a vibrant part of this community.

What will this project do for Fernley and the surrounding communities?

• The City of Fernley has some 19,000 people and no church larger than 150 in average Sunday attendance; this facility will allow Crosswinds Fernley to grow and reach more people for Christ.
• If we build, we will be following God’s leading and fulfilling His desire to establish a strong Evangelical, Bible-centered, people-friendly, outreach motivated church in Lyon County.
• Fernley is in need of an established Evangelical voice operating in a modern facility with video capabilities and state-of-the-art sound.
• It will provide a much needed church facility with paved parking. (At the time of this writing there is no Christian church in Fernley with paved parking.)
• It will enable Crosswinds Church to be more effective in its ministry to the people of Fernley and surrounding communities, by providing a modern spacious facility on the East side of town, close to the golf course.
• It will allow other organizations and Service Groups to have a place for dinners, seminars, training classes, support-group meetings, etc.

Building Update from Pastor Jenner
Over the last couple of months a few things have been accomplished: the existing gas line has been moved in preparation for the hook up for the new building and a new power-pole has been installed on the property in preparation for the hook up of power for the new building.

The people of Crosswinds Assembly are still very committed to growing the church. While nothing has been done on the building itself in the last couple of months, we are still growing and our spirits are high. Sunday, October 30th we had our highest attendance (other than Easter Sundays) in the last two and a half years. It is imperative that we occupy the new building soon, and we are very appreciative of the District’s help and the generosity of churches and pastors who have given towards this important project; thank you for sowing into God’s Kingdom here in Fernley, Nevada.

Duane Jenner
Founding Pastor
Crosswinds Assembly
Fernley, Nevada

Click here to contribute to this project

In this video, District Student Ministries Director Abe Daniel introduces the Student Ministries team for the Northern California & Nevada Assemblies of God District Resource Center.

Friends,

The disaster in Japan is overwhelming and beyond description. It is time for a response from our constituency. Convoy of Hope will focus on getting water, food and emergency supplies to people in desperate need in the devastated areas. They are communicating with their in-country partners in Japan and other relief organizations to determine where the resources will make the greatest impact.

Financial gifts have the greatest impact. Convoy of Hope will use those gifts to help as many people as possible in this time of urgency. Please send your contribution directly to Convoy of Hope, marked Japan relief by mail at 330 S. Patterson Ave, Springfield, MO 65802 or Donate Convoy of Hope online.

If you’d like to donate online using our secure system you may use the following link NCN Donate (this requires setting up an account and password with our system). Or you can send it to the DRC by mail using account # 2002-063.

Thank you!

James R Braddy
District Superintendent

During the District Tour meetings this year the Executive Officers presented a Board/Pastor Workshop entitled, “Portraits.” Each officer presented a separate Portrait: Portrait of a Board Member, Portrait of a Pastor, Portrait of a Functioning Board. Many individuals have asked us to post the slideshow/notes of this workshop. Click on the link below to view or download the slideshow (Adobe Reader required).

Slideshow/Notes

The effectiveness of the local church is greatly dependent on Pastors and Board Members working together to lead the church to fulfill its Mission. This collaboration presumes that both Pastors and Lay Leaders understand their respective roles and responsibilities.

The District Officers are available to conduct workshops or retreats for individual churches or groups of churches upon request. Please contact the DRC if you are interested in scheduling such an event.

Have a senior in high school, or a high school graduate looking for adventure this summer?  Have them check out the NCN Summer Internship!

NCN Summer Internship gives you the opportunity use your gifts and abilities while serving for six weeks at 4 camps,  1 missions trip, plus receiving leadership training from the top leaders in our district, all while making new friends and having the time of your life!

For more information, visit http://www.ncnsm.com, send an email to Scott at NCN Student Ministries (please include your address, phone number, church you attend, and your youth pastor’s name) or call us at 916.379.9600 and ask for Scott.

Pathway Apprenticeship Application

Scholarship applications are now available for high school seniors.

High school seniors planning to attend one of the 19 Assemblies of God endorsed colleges or universities, (to see list go to: http://www.colleges.ag.org) you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Riggs Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are made available by the Assemblies of God Trust through The Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education.

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, be involved in an Assemblies of God church and plan to attend an endorsed AG university directly following high school. Scholarship winners will be chosen based on their qualifications in these areas: academics, extracurricular involvement, Christian service, Christian life, financial need, personal essay and references.

Two scholarships (The General Superintendent’s Scholarships) of up to $30,000 each will be awarded (over a 4-year period) to one male and one female high school senior. Eight one-time scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded to high school seniors (and distributed over the student’s first two semesters).

The Riggs Scholarship Fund is one of three scholarship programs sponsored by the AG Trust in its efforts to train young leaders and empower future generations. The AG Trust is under the leadership of Chairman Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God.

At this time 20 high school graduates (2009 and 2010 winners) have already received a total of $200,000 awarded by the Riggs Scholarship Fund. The 2011 scholarship winners will be named in April 2011.

To download the application form, go to http://www.agtrust.org. The application submission deadline is February 15, 2011.

Our 2010 Annual Report is now available for viewing.  To view or download the annual report, click on link below (Adobe Reader required):

2010 Annual Report

This planning packet for churches who will be attending and participating in Light For The Lost Steak Outs includes a Participating Church Action List and a Ticket Information Sheet.

The packet (which requires Adobe Reader) will enable a participating church to effectively organize their Steak Out experience.

Click here to download or view the packet.

This planning packet for churches who will be hosting Light For The Lost Steak Outs includes a Host Church Action List, a District Light For The Lost Steak Out Team Action List, and a Ticket Information Sheet.

The packet (which requires Adobe Reader) will enable a host church to effectively organize their Steak Out experience.

Click here to download or view the packet.

Our Superintendent James Braddy, upon commencement of his term of office in 2004, asked for prayer partners who would specifically remember him as he leads this District. Many responded to pray together with him for God’s wisdom in leadership. Now, Superintendent Braddy wants to take this partnership to the next level.

Superintendent Braddy believes that the ministers of this district should lead the way in praying for one another. When we pray for those who
need Christ in our ministry area and for those who minister to them, then we can expect God to move!

This new prayer emphasis calls upon those who will commit to being a part of this prayer team to pray in three distinct ways.

1. Each week to pray for each minister and church within your section.
2. Pray for District leadership weekly.
3. Pray for an awakening and revival in the geographic area of the Northern California and Nevada District.

Download or View the Pray NCN Brochure (Adobe Reader required)

There are many good resources available to men today.  The following are just a few excellent resources for men to use individually or in a group setting. 

Wild at Heart - Discovering The Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge.   “In Wild at Heart, John Eldredge invites men to recover their masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God.  And he invites women to discover the secret of a man’s soul and to delight in the strength and wildness men were created to offer.”

The Way of the Wild Heart - A Map for the Masculine Journey by John Eldredge.  “In The Way of the Wild Heart, Eldredge reveals how God comes to a man and takes him on the masculine journey, how nearly all the events of a man’s life can come together to provide the initiation he never received.  And how parents can offer that initiation to their sons.  Whatever your age may be, your Father is ready to take up your journey.”

Every Man’s Battle - Every Man’s Guide to Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey.  “Every Man’s Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity - perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future.”

The Five Love Languages - How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Dr. Gary Chapman.  “In the international best seller, Dr. Gary Chapman reveals how different people express love in different ways.”

You can see and order these and other great resources at Gospel Publishing http://gospelpublishing.com/store/index.cfm.

The following article is written by Patrick M. Morley and is available in its entirety on The Man in the Mirror Ministries website under Articles for Leaders - A Look in the Mirror archives.

A few years ago I started a list of “the most important things to know” about men’s discipleship ministry. I realized the task was way bigger than I first thought, but here’s how far I got with my list. Though it’s far from comprehensive, I do think it reflects many of the felt and real needs of men today. And at the end there are a few ideas to help men do something about it.

How Men Are Doing and Why

1. Most men have it in their hearts to do the right thing. That part of a Christian man that would love, trust, obey, and worship a holy God is far bigger than the flesh in him that would do wrong.

2. No man fails on purpose. No man wakes up in the morning and thinks, “Well, I guess I’ll see what I can do today to irritate my wife, neglect my kids, and work too much.” But they do.

3. Despite this, most men are living by their own ideas. Their lives are not turning out like they planned.

4. Many men are getting exactly what they want, only to find out it doesn’t make them happy.

5. A lot of men are in what we might call a “structural hurry.” They have structured hurry into their routines. The price of this pace is peace.

6. Men are tired. We have created a culture which requires more energy than men have to give.

7. A lot of men are worried, confused, disillusioned, disoriented, and sad.

8. Many men are burdened down by debts. It never occurred to them that it takes more energy to service a debt and earn a living than just to earn a living.

9. Many men are angry because they didn’t get what they wanted and wonder, “Now what?” Or, they did get what they wanted but now can’t remember why they thought it was so important.

10. Most men play a role during the first part of their adult lives—a role that they believe will make other people happy and get them where they want to go. At a midpoint they come to a place when they realize they haven’t lived with authenticity, and that is the thing they now want to get back to.

11. The problem is not that men are failing to achieve their goals. They are. The problem is: they’re the wrong goals.

12. Failure means to succeed in a way that doesn’t really matter.

13. No amount of success at work can adequately compensate for failure at home.

14. Some men have been inoculated against Jesus. An inoculation is a small dose of the real thing. They’ve heard just enough about Christ to think they’ve heard enough, found it irrelevant, and rejected it. In actuality, they’ve haven’t “heard” it at all. Sadly, they have rejected the wrong thing.

15. Some who do know Christ have become polluted by the world—they are cultural Christians. Their children are spiritual orphans and their wives are practical widows (James 1:27).

16. Most men only know enough about God to be disappointed with Him. Why?

17. Because it takes a long time to make a disciple. Why?

18. Because most of the really big ideas about Christianity take 10 to 20 years to sink it. Why?

19. Because a man has to replace a system he has built over 10, 20, 30 years or more. He doesn’t become a follower of Christ one day and abandon those deeply held beliefs the next.

20. Your belief system has been perfectly designed to produce the result you are getting.

21. The wisdom of the years is confusing. Kierkegaard said, “The wisdom of the years is confusing. Only the wisdom of eternity is edifying.”

What Men Need To Know About God

22. The solution will be to help men seek the God who is. There is a God we want, and there is a God who is. They are not the same God. The turning point of our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is.

23. We must call men to look heavenward. Karl Barth said, “You cannot call God by shouting man in a loud voice.” And we are drawn to that upon which we are focused.

24. God loves you with an everlasting love.

25. Apart from God life has no meaning.

26. If you get exactly what you want you will still not be happy without God.

27. God will not force you to revere Him, but he will make it impossible for you to be happy unless you do.

28. The great question of the faith-life is, “Do I really believe that God will always take care of me?” Does He know? Does He care? Can He do anything about it?

29. He knows you—when you sit and lie, every word before spoken, He knit you together in your mother’s womb, every hair is numbered, all your days have been ordained before one of them came to pass.

30. He cares about you. You are a much loved son. Chosen. Adopted. An heir.

31. He can do something about your concerns. He will do something about it. You don’t have to work 80 hours a week to make it. He wants you to rest. God will provide.

32. God is sovereignly orchestrating all of the seemingly random circumstances of our lives.

33. At our moments of desperation, God will intervene to keep us from moving in the wrong direction.

34. Because God is good your life will not turn out like you planned.

How Men Should Integrate Faith Into Their Daily Lives

35. Once you are married, make your mate your top priority after God, but before all others.

36. Once you have children, spend time with your kids; tell them you love them and that you’re proud of them.

37. God calls us to build the kingdom and tend the culture. There is no biblical separation between sacred and secular. Every moral vocation is holy to the Lord. To wait tables, fix computers, or practice dentistry is no less spiritual than being a teacher at a Christian school.

Leadership Issues

38. The neediest men in our churches are often the least visible ones.

39. Suppose you know a man will leave your church five years from now. What things are so important for that man’s “system” that you will feel like you’ve failed if he doesn’t get them by the time he leaves? This, then, is your discipleship curriculum.

40. Looking back ten years, we’ve all said, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” What are those things so we can build them into our disciples? Examples:

• An understanding that God knows, cares, and can do something about it.
• An understanding that faith begins with understanding, proceeds to belief, but must be consummated in trust (fiducia).
• We can, and must, test our faith by asking the questions, Is it true? Do I believe it? and Has it changed my life?
• A sense that He is worthy of our praise, worship, and service.
• An encounter with the holy—which will change our view of the world, ourselves, and ourselves in the world.
• Patience in view of God’s promises and faithfulness. (versus Anxiety-Worry about the present and future).
• A deeper love for the God Who is.
• An understanding that neighbor love, or lack of it, reveals the true heart.
• A Spirit of Gratitude.
• The Nature of the Kingdom. An understanding that the kingdom of God, presently all around us, consists in righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.
• The Armor of God
• Holy Spirit: The Fruit of the Spirit
• Spiritual Gifts
• Calling
• The Sermon on the Mount, with a special emphasis on the Golden Rule.
• Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer. It’s hard work, but the only work that releases the power of the kingdom of God into our human actions.
• Strongholds: If we have a correct knowledge, belief, and trust in the character of God, Jesus Christ will set us free from the strongholds which keep us shackled to sin and futility.

Let the NCN HonorBound office resource and support your effort to have an effective ministry to men. We’re honored to serve you!

A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines
The following article is an exert from A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines by Patrick Morley.  The complete article can be found by going to The Man in the Mirror Ministries website under Articles for Leaders - A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines.

Spiritual disciplines (or habits) are the means by which we regularly deepen our relationship with Christ. One of the easiest mistakes with the spiritual disciplines is to confuse the means and the ends. The disciplines are the “means,” our relationship with Jesus is the “end.”

It’s important to remind ourselves that disciplines don’t earn us any kind of merit whatsoever. The disciplines are not behaviors we perform to make God happy or avoid his wrath. Instead, disciplines are the regular practices of men gripped by deep and humble gratitude for the remarkable privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior, Counselor, and Friend.

Almost any Christian virtue or duty can be turned into a discipline. For my new book, A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines (2007, Chicago: Moody Publishers) I selected 12 disciplines that seemed right for our moment in time: creation, the Bible, prayer, worship, the Sabbath, fellowship, counsel, fasting, spiritual warfare, stewardship, service, and evangelism. Here is a brief overview of each one.

A Man and Creation

Nothing fills me with contemplation of God more than a blazing sunrise, a mama duck followed by eight little ducklings paddling with all their might to keep up, or a rugged mountain that soars into the sky. How about you? We have been given the visible creation to reveal the deity of the invisible God. Theologians call creation God’s general revelation. Nature “reveals” a “general” knowledge about God.

A Man and the Bible

I know of no man whose life has been significantly changed apart from the regular study of God’s Word. Like training for a golf swing, if you want to “play well” at Christianity, you have to go into training. The Bible is the starting point for all spiritual disciplines, for all glorifying of God, for all communion with Christ, and for all growth and sanctification.

A Man and Prayer

Prayer is the conversation that turns our salvation into a personal communion with God. There are three characteristics of men who pray a lot. First, men who pray a lot tend to understand the need for sitting with Jesus in the “school of prayer” – studying passages on prayer and meditating on what they mean. Second, they believe that prayer is the most powerful use of their time – more powerful than labor. Finally, the man who prays a lot has made prayer the first disposition of his heart.

A Man and Worship

The deepest thirst of a man’s soul is to worship His Creator. Worship is being so caught up in God that it’s like going 180 mph down a straightaway and you’re oblivious to everything around you. When you worship, you become keenly aware of your “creatureliness” as you come into the presence of the one true Holy Father and, overcome, commune with, exalt and praise.

A Man and the Sabbath

God has made it “legal” for us to take a day of rest. Exodus 23:12 says, “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household . . . may be refreshed.” It’s a commandment, but also a right and a privilege we have as Christians. The Sabbath is a beautiful gift from God to His children. But a lot of us suffer from what we might call rest-interval dysfunction – working long hours, maybe too many days in a row, and we start to get a little grumpy and short with our wives and kids.

A Man and Fellowship

At Man in the Mirror, we have learned that the most meaningful change takes place in the context of a small group relationship. 1 Corinthians 12:12 states, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” Why do we need other people? Because I don’t have everything I need. I can’t be a whole person without you. In His wisdom, God has not given any of us everything we need; instead, He chose to give us each other. I have gaps, you have gaps – we fill each other’s gaps. I know Jesus loves me because you love me. We are indispensable parts of each other. Together, we make up the whole.

A Man and Counsel

The goal of seeking counsel is to make good decisions. Decisions come in two flavors: moral decisions and priority decisions. Proverbs 15: 22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, they succeed.” The goal of seeking counsel is to seek God’s will about a decision, not permission to do what we’ve already made up our minds to do. There’s a direct correlation between the wisdom of our decisions and the degree to which we have sought the advice other people.

A Man and Fasting

Fasting is a regular practice throughout the Bible. Jesus began His ministry with a 40-day fast. In my own life, I have been blessed and seen others healed after I fasted for a period of time. Fasting is an excellent way to express sorrow to God, to be penitent to the Lord. When you have a difficult decision to make, fasting can help give your clarity of mind. If you are struggling with pride or anger, fasting is a tangible expression of humility before God. If we never do anything as a sacrifice to Jesus, can we be sure we really love Him? Fasting is one thing we can do to express the depth of our love and gratitude.

A Man and Spiritual Warfare

Galatians 5:16 says: “Live your lives according to the Holy Spirit, then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Holy Spirit desires.” You can tell which is winning by the fruit your life bears. Share your struggles with other men in a supportive community. Let them pray with you.

A Man and Stewardship

What does it mean to be a faithful steward? If you think it’s just tithing 10 percent of your income, you’re wrong. A faithful steward devotes 100 percent of his time, talent and treasure to the glory of God. Everything you’ve been given – including that weekend convertible stashed in the garage – is a trust with which you must prove faithful.

A Man and Service

In John 13, Jesus said, “Now that I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.” God has penetrated your universe. He has changed you, healed you, and He has put the hot coal on the tip of your tongue. You’ve heard Him say, “Who will go? Whom shall I send?” Give it away or, because He is kind, He will take it away.

A Man and Evangelism

The apostle Paul believed that the greatest privilege is to be chosen by God for salvation, and the second greatest privilege is to help someone else experience the same salvation. Paul believed that all men need a savior and that there is no way to heaven except through Jesus Christ. If you want to have an effective discipline of evangelism, believe what Paul believes. Evangelism is taking someone as far as they want to go toward Jesus.

Practice these spiritual disciplines (and any others to which you are attracted) if you want a deeper, richer experience with Christ. As we have already said, they don’t improve our standing with Christ, but they do usher us into His presence.

The following list of ideas was taken from the The National HonorBound website. 

Ideas | Men’s Groups
The following ideas can be used for creating an environment for men to grow together in life’s adventures. It’s about building a community with guys, affirming their masculinity, building bridges with the non-church going man, and to discuss, encourage and disciple one another in spiritual growth.

*With any activity, small group or event, have a clear purpose. Men are drawn to clarity and conciseness. If they are going to give up their weekend, weeknight or free time, they want to know why. Be sure to state purpose and goals – what’s in it for him.

Golf
Set aside regular events for guys to hit the links – one Saturday a month, a weekday morning or maybe a quick nine-holes after Sunday morning service. Construct a tournament, rotate the type of play (scramble, best ball, match play, etc.) or play just for fun.

Get together for refreshments and conversation after the round. Discussions don’t have to be organized or planned to a ‘T’, but utilize the opportunity for discipleship and spiritual encouragement. Much like life, you have to play golf one fairway at a time. Triple bogey on the previous hole, look ahead and birdie the next.

Race Car Fans
Because a season will cover roughly nine months out of the calendar year, it will be a challenge to plan and incorporate regular events over a long period of time. So plan around races or events, highlighting certain races throughout the year, using a variety of activities:

Cookout
Lunch at a sports-themed restaurant equipped with TV’s/Projection screens
Create Go-Kart or Mini-Grand Prix races/tournaments

Basketball
Form an organized or informal (or partner with) a church basketball league. This could be developed for your congregations ‘family and friends’ or developed as a city-wide event.

3-on-3 pick-up games
3-on-3 organized teams/schedule
5-on-5 organized teams/schedule
Full-season / Tournament
Hold a post-game “news conference with a 5-minute devotional – share a ‘thought-of-the-day’, scripture, “USA Today” version reflection, and a prayer. *Remember, you just finished a full out war on the court – no long-winded sermons at this time please.

Football
Whether guys have ‘game’ or not, most love to watch football. Check out HonorBound Red Zone strategy for the football fanatic.

Fishing
Thanks to shows like “Wanna Go Fishing,” “Offshore Adventures,” “Madfin Shark Tournament,” and all the others that can be found on your local sports network, fishing events have become huge across the country. From the number of fish caught to the combined total pounds to the size of the fish, there are plenty of games and tournaments to get ‘hooked’ on.

Developing a few of these tournaments for the outdoor guys may be the hook, line and sinker you need in integrating these guys into the church community.

Video Game Tournaments
Over the years, video games have become an integral part of our culture.

From the 1952 creation of Noughts and Crosses to todays XBOX 360, PS3 and Wii, video games have been a source of entertainment for many young fans (and even some of the ‘older’ fans as well!). Maybe you will remember classics such as Odyssey, Atari, Nintendo and Sega Dreamcast.

Popularity of the gaming industry has grown to a huge market. So how can we use this as a tool to building camaraderie and community with the guys?

Just like any of the outdoor sporting events, creating a league or special ‘tournament’ events may be the plug-in to a variety of discussions dealing with life issues and how we can overcome these obstacles to win at life.

Ideally, utilize a location (individuals home per say) that has adequate space (and maybe even a rather large TV!) and let the games begin!

Business-Men Breakfast
Host a breakfast before the start of the workday. Saturday mornings may be the only day guys get to sleep in – thus deciding to snooze on the biscuit and gravy. So pick a weekday that works for the group.

This could be done in one convenient location or divided in ‘regions’ (pending the size of city and location of work places). Nothing formal or fully planned discussions needed. Conversation will develop on its own.

Be sure to meet with a consistent day, time and place. Most businessmen have a full calendar and appreciate a routine schedule.

Service Ministries
Most guys like to fix things. See a need and fix it. Developing a crew of guys that provide mechanic work for single mothers, ladies or widows, home improvement for the elderly or grooming/renovating church facilities not only gives a blessing to the recipient, but draws men together for a common cause.

Missions Trips
Take a group of guys on a mission trip – construction, outreach, etc. Show them first hand the mission field the church invests in through missionary and mission project support.