It’s all about HIM!!

As we go through our daily lives, and we are constantly reacting to the pressures of family, work, social responsibilities, all competing for our time, it is easy to get distracted. Or even when we are in church, it’s easy to get distracted by the good things, and miss the Best. It is human nature to think about how all these things affect me. Where is “my” time, what is “my” role, how is this going to effect “me”? We need to be reminded that it is not about “me”, but about Jesus. Please take a moment and watch the video…….

All About Him

Pastors’ Overview: A Clergy Introduction to Wesleyan Building Brothers

1ST Generation of 18 Churches, 60 Pastors and Men, paves way to a 2ND Generation!   Pastors’ Overview: A Clergy Introduction to Wesleyan Building Brothers

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Scarcely a month ago, the First Generation Wesleyan Building Brothers – pastors and laity – were present to celebrate the completion of their yearlong training preparing them to become Spiritual Fathers. And at their side, were men planning to begin their spiritual journey as a part of the next generation, the Second Generation of Wesleyan Brothers. It’s about the “Second Generation” that I’m contacting you now, a personal invitation to attend the Pastors’ Overview at the UM Center on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. There, you’ll be introduced to the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process that will provide timely information to enable you and the men of your church to be included in the next generation. The Wesleyan Building Brothers Process is NOT about “doing” men’s ministry, but rather, it’s about Renewal and Revitalization of the local church, one of the four focus areas identified by the Council of Bishops as being most critical, and supporting the long-range strategic vision of the Virginia Conference. I encourage you to read on to learn more about the Pastors’ Overview, an event expressly tailored for clergy and the men of their church. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Your Brother in Christ, Larry Burian Wesleyan Building Brothers Advocate Virginia Conference United Methodist Men llburian@hughes.net 804-453-4004

Why Wesleyan Building Brothers?  Why now? Highly acclaimed Barna Group research shows that in most churches, perhaps your church, there is a shortage of men … especially in positions of leadership. Where are the men? What are the barriers that keep men from being involved in the life of the church? ·  Of the U.S. adults born prior to 1946, 65% professed their faith in Christ, while less than 5% of those born after 1977 are becoming Christians. ·  A Barna Group survey found that in 1992, 42% of men in the U.S. attended church, but by 1996 that number had dropped to 28% … revealing that nearly one-third had left the church. ·  Men are finding their identity outside of the church. ·  Nearly 95% of Christian men do not have close male friends. ·  On average, about 2/3 of the congregation is comprised of women. Where are the men? So, you see, the questions “where are the men?“ and “what are the barriers …?“ have been bouncing around for years and deserve some answers. Or better yet, solutions! Over the course of nearly two years since the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process was implemented in the Virginia Conference, we have found that WBB can help solve the problem of missing men. The answers and solutions lie in the establishment of a clearly defined pathway within the local church to lead men from spiritual immaturity to spiritual fatherhood by developing leaders who can minister to others. In simple terms, it becomes a matter of helping men grow in Christ, so others will know Christ!

Who should Attend the Pastors’ Overview? ALL pastors – male and female clergy alike – should plan to attend this 1-day event! And, it’s highly recommended that pastors seek out one or two men of the church to accompany them. The men selected need not be elected leaders, but men who have an appetite for service and growth in their spiritual maturity, and a heart for intentional discipleship with other men of the church.The concept behind the Pastors’ Overview is for you, the pastor, to gain insight and understanding of the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process and confirm why it is crucial for men to be in a process of spiritual transformation, and to acquire the fundamentals required for men to grow and mature into Spiritual Fathers. Although it’s permissible for pastors to participate alone, it’s highly recommended they be accompanied by men under their spiritual leadership.

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Men of the First Generation WBB are saying . . .PASTOR KEITH’S STORY:“Wilderness Community United Methodist Church is an 11-year-old church with a strong small group ministry. We became part of the first generation of churches involved in the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process because of the potential we saw for life transformation and spiritual reproduction.”         “Eight men joined in our Wesleyan Building Brothers small group that met for 90 minutes each Saturday morning over a one-year period. The level of commitment of these men grew throughout the year. Their relationship with Jesus and one another deepened. Their passion for introducing others to Jesus and their desire to see the spiritual life that was developing in them be reproduced in others increased.”As we approached the conclusion of our first year on this journey, each of the men involved in the experience stepped out in new ways in leadership in our church family. One, who had never led a small group, now provides leadership for a new men’s small group. Four others have decided to provide the leadership to lead a second generation of men in our church on this journey.                  “I highly commend the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process as a proven means of developing spiritually mature and reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ.”        Rev. Keith Boyette, Pastor, Wilderness Community Church, Ashland District KEN’S TESTIMONY: (The full text of Ken Moura’s testimony can be downloaded by clicking here.) “… I was pretty much an armchair Christian who had a one-dimensional relationship with God. I didn’t really know God because I didn’t study scripture. At times, I felt I should be doing more to strengthen my faith but fear of stepping outside my comfort zone caused me to just keep my faith to myself.  I also realize now that I didn’t have any real friends or meaningful relationships with other men, and this was primarily due to the fact that I didn’t know how to relate to men and was afraid to open up for fear of being exposed. “My stagnant faith really hit home when I looked at my 12-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. Neither of them had any thirst to grow closer to God nor the desire to learn about the Christian faith, and this despite attending a Christian school. When I looked at their male role model, I could hardly blame either of them. “… August 2009, I began [the Wesleyan Building Brothers Process] with 9 other men, none of whom I knew well, and some I didn’t know at all. “… slowly but surely I found my heart transforming to where I craved a deeper relationship with God, and I wanted to share it with men who months ago I hardly knew. Then a light bulb turned on. I wasn’t merely learning to become a better father, but rather learning to passionately pursue God with other people and thus transforming their hearts to want to do the same, and so continuing the cycle.”              Ken Moura, Culpeper United Methodist Church, Charlottesville District Culpeper UMC – The First Generation (clockwise from front center) Shane Nicholls, Jonathan Brooks, Rob Berkebile, Ken Moura, Brad Miller, Mike Evans, Lee Simpson, David Bean, and Art Fellows

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Spiritual Leader and Coach A new four-part Straight Talk video series narrated by Dan Schaffer is available for viewing online free of charge. In each of the videos, he discusses subjects that many clergy and laity avoid talking about publicly. For anyone who has been in Dan Schaffer’s presence and heard him speak, you know that he has a God-given gift of taking subjects that range from the sublime to the controversial and handles them vigorously, straightforwardly, and with sensitivity that any discussion may call for … truly a role model for holy conferencing. Dan is at his best in this series, speaking from the beauty and calm of the High Country that he calls home. In this relaxed shirtsleeve environment, his narration of Straight Talk transcends sublimity and controversy in a compelling discussion about the Church that you will want to play again and again. The professionally recorded Straight Talk videos listed below have been edited to less than 10 minutes total viewing time, and are excellent primers for the Pastors’ Overview. Church in Crisis The Church today has lost its impact on our culture! Seeker Church The Church today has lost its Mission and Purpose! Men The Church today will not survive without Spiritual Fathers! DNA Change The Church today needs a DNA change! Click Here to View Straight Talk Dan Schaffer, who will be facilitating the Pastors’ Overview, is the founder and president of Building Brothers. He has a deep spiritual passion to build Spiritual Fathers within the Church, and has been a Spiritual Father in the lives of men for over 30 years. Dan was one of the four men who founded Promise Keepers and was responsible for developing the Key Man and Ambassador training material. He can be found living out his passion in the Colorado Rockies as a hunter and fisherman. Dan would sum up his purpose in life this way, “That I would pursue and reproduce the pursuit of God in others, as laid out in Philippians 3:10.”

Schedule and CostOn Wednesday, January 26, pastors and men will begin drifting in at 8:30 a.m. for coffe, donuts and fellowship. The Pastors’ Overview, led by Dan Schaffer, will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m., with time allotted for stretch breaks and lunch.                          Cost: $50 per person        for registrations made by January 10, 2011                   · After January 10 the cost is $60 ·              SAVE $10 per person – Register soon!        The registration fee inludes snacks, lunch, the    Introduction to Wesleyan Building Brothers handbook,            and Dan Schaffer’s book, Spiritual Fathers.                            SPECIAL OFFER     First Generation “graduates*” who would like to  review some of the WBB fundamentals and sit in with the Second Generation, the cost is $25 per    person, includes lunch and snacks only (no books) if registered by January 10, $35 thereafter *Graduates: Men that have completed Phase Training                                                           Seating is limited to 70                                                Pastors are eligible for 0.6 CEU Credit

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