LESSONS FROM GRACE PART 2

Lessons from Grace part 2.

I have had the privilege of seeing and being a part of many different churches across the nation. Some huge. Some small. It was God's purpose that we spend the last three years here at (the famous) Grace Community Church in Goshen, IN. This place is awesome. Here's another reason why;

Men's Ministry.

Most churches are geared for women; the messages are mild, the carpets are mauve and most of the service opportunities are in the nursery or on the decorating committee (and there's nothing wrong with that). They have a high value on security and gentle words rather than challenge and the heroic. Most men feeling completely disconnected (if they come at all).

Grace Community Church has recognized this trend and our focus on men has been a core part of our DNA. Our mantra is "You get the man, you get the family. You get the family, you get the community. You get the community, you get the world". We are intentional about targeting the men. As a result, this is a place where men feel challenged but not coddled. This is a place where men feel like they have the opportunity to be a part of something epic and heroic. Our men are challenged to fight for their Lord, their brothers, their daughters and their sons, their wives and their homes.

Evidence of this is littered all over the place.

•When you step into the lobbies, the decor is industrial rather than floral (as a matter of fact, the only time we have used flowers to decorate was for 3 weeks during a series for women called "Daughters") .

•We champion unusual and uncommon acts of courage, victory, accomplishment, drive, devotion and love.

•The worship and the messages are high-octane and full of challenges that cause men to rise to the occasion.

•The entire male staff competed in a 12 mile special ops obstacle race called "TOUGH MUDDER"- leading the way for other men to step up and take on the challenge as well.

•We regularly have epic service opportunities. One Sunday, we put out the call that we needed to send bikes to Chicago pronto and in three days our lobby was packed with bikes and we had to overload the truck.

•We have pioneered a ground breaking men's ministry called "FIGHT CLUB"

• Hundreds of men drive through the night to WILD AT HEART- a mountain in the Appalachians for two days of awesome fellowship and discipleship.

Recapturing biblical manhood and fatherhood is a core value of Grace Community Church- Just one of the reasons this place is awesome.

www.gracecommunity-church.com