Lutheran Men in Mission Studies 'Blueprints for Living'

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ELCA) -- "Blueprints for Living" was the theme of the 2002 national gathering for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Speakers, music, worship and workshops supported the "building men for Christ" program for about 600 men here July 26-28.
A sub-theme of the gathering was the passing of the "blueprints" from one generation to the next. Doug Haugen, LMM director, said one purpose of the event was to help "grandfathers, fathers and sons to discover fresh relationships with God and with other men of all ages from around the country and around the world who are on the same journey."
Each participant received a copy of the Master Builders Bible for Men. Haugen told the gathering of LMM's commitment to purchase and distribute the Bibles, which are designed to facilitate individual and small-group Bible study. "We want to stop selling these and start giving them away," he said, challenging the men to come up with the money to buy thousands of Bibles.
A "Blueprints Thank-offering" brought in $56,750 in pledges and donations. Haugen said that amount would be added to $14,750, which was received in advance from men unable to attend the gathering. The total $71,500 exceeded the LMM board's goal of $60,000. Haugen challenged the gathering to give $75,000 and said he trusts another $3,500 will be donated.
Sean Forde, a member of Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Fla., and a student at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., served as emcee of the event. A health screening provided cholesterol checks for 99 men who arrived early for the gathering. A prayer chapel offered quiet space for men to pray individually or in groups.

SPEAKERS
Rick Barnes, coach of the University of Texas Longhorns basketball team in Austin, told stories about the men who were his mentors and about the students for whom he was a mentor.
"You can make a difference in your community. There is someone there who needs your help," Barnes said. "All it takes is sharing -- giving -- and, believe me, it'll come back to you tenfold," he said.
Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology, Eastern University, St. Davids, Pa., told the men that Lutherans are known for their scholarship and their faith. "It's not just about creeds and theology. It's about being Jesus for other people," he said.
Lutherans don't do evangelism well, Campolo said. "You don't talk about your faith. You don't close the deal. You don't ask people to accept Jesus."
"Lutheran churches are not growing like they should because the saints are not doing their job in the world," he said. The clergy are to equip the saints, he said, but a lot of saints are not equipped.
"Lutheran is a good thing to be. At least you are a member of a church that's not afraid to deal with the hard issues of the day," Campolo said. "God sees you as wonderful and having enormous potential."
Dick Hardel, executive director, Youth and Family Institute, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, said 8 percent of Lutheran men have a faith mature enough to pass it on. He distributed "faith talk" cards to the participants and asked them to use the questions on the cards to initiate conversations about their Christian faith.
"Teach this to your children and your children's children -- by heart," Hardel told the men. He encouraged them to discuss their faith with other members of their families.
Millard Fuller, founder and president, Habitat for Humanity International, Americus, Ga., said his organization built 100,000 homes in 76 countries between 1976 and 2000, and it's on its way to building another 100,000 homes between 2000 and 2005. He called Habitat "a ministry that builds houses with and for families in need, as an expression of God's love."
"How can we say we love God while we sleep in decent homes and our neighbors sleep in dumps?" Fuller asked. "If you believe it's good for you and your family to have a house, then you have to advocate for everyone to have a house," he said.
"We have all the materials to end poverty housing in this world but one -- the will to do it," said Fuller. "And we need the will of a bunch of Lutherans to do it."

MUSIC
The Rev. Richard M. Webb, Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, Iowa, led the gathering's music and worship team. Guitars, drums and keyboard provided a musical framework for each segment of the gathering's program.
Peter Mayer sang and played songs from his "Stirrin' Up the Water" compact disc, including "Blueprints," which was written specifically for the LMM gathering. Another song, "Loose In The World," was inspired by the 1999 LMM gathering. Mayer composes and performs light-rock Christian music with his brother, Jim Mayer.
Tony Melendez, born without arms, played the guitar with his feet. From Nicaragua, Melendez has toured the world singing original and other inspirational songs. He came to the LMM gathering from the World Youth Gathering in Toronto.
"Without arms, I'm no construction man," Melendez told the men. "But, without arms, God has me building the kingdom."

WORSHIP
The Rev. Margarita Martinez, bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dorado, Puerto Rico, presented a Bible study on the prophet Jeremiah, who sent a message of encouragement to the Jews in exile. She said, when one's own plans seem shattered, one must look for God's plan.
"God has a plan for our lives, and it is good," said Martinez. "I expect to see my brothers kneeling in prayer," praying for the welfare of each other, she said.
Martinez told the men she expected them to make their plans "with the young people," to joyfully accept their "calling from God," to assume roles of leadership and "to give all people a word of hope." She added, "I expect men's ministry to grow."
The Rev. O. Dennis Mims, St. James Lutheran Church, East Cleveland, Ohio, led the men in a Bible study of the prophet Joshua, who welcomed life's challenges as signs that God was leading him.
"It's a mighty thing to base your plan on God's leadership," said Mims. "We should have giant dreams."
Mims said men should be able to look up to men who are 25 years older than them and see people who are confident in their faith. He challenged the men to consider whether men 25 years younger than them would see that confidence in them.
The Rev. Ray Tiemann, bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, San Antonio, urged the participants to hold on to the spiritual energy they were building during the LMM gathering. "God's kingdom comes into our lives in very subtle ways," he said, during the closing worship service.
Sometimes men want to write a check for $100,000 and say "I have given my all," said Tiemann. Jesus would cash that check in for quarters, he said, and ask them to give 25 cents or 50 cents at a time.
Rather than thinking better health and a stronger faith can be achieved instantly, Tiemann encouraged the men to find time for exercise and for personal devotion.

WORKSHOPS
Seven workshops were presented during the gathering: + Mim Campbell, associate director, children and family ministries, and the Rev. Paul Lutz, associate director, adult education, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, Chicago, presented several basic, practical examples of ways a man can share his Christian faith with friends and family. + The Rev. Brent Dahlseng, director, ELCA evangelism task force, Division for Congregational Ministries, outlined several ideas for developing and strengthening the prayer lives of men. + Doug Haugen, LMM director, led a workshop on ways to use the Master Builders Bible for Men effectively in small-group settings. + Jim Myers, president, Honolulu Publishing Company, Honolulu, Hawaii, fielded the "success stories" of participants about the men's ministries in th