A Moment for Mission
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.” —Psalm 100:5, NRSVUE
Today—Father’s Day—seems a perfect time to learn about the General Commission on United Methodist Men.
“I’m committed to empowering people in their spiritual growth and development through the power of the resurrection life in Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Sterling L. Eaton, director of the Center for Men’s Ministries. “We have a significant part to play in these current times and in the future of The United Methodist Church. We are committed to reaching every man and youth in our connection with a credible opportunity to meet, know and serve Jesus Christ. It’s not a small task, but we’re up for the challenge, and we have a plan.”
A clergy member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, Eaton is passionate about reaching all ages of men and creating meaningful connections between the younger and older generations. He is especially interested in bridging the gap between young people emerging from the Scouting program and stepping into roles of significance in men’s ministry within the local church.
A recipient of support from the World Service Fund, the General Commission on United Methodist Men oversees the coordination and resourcing of men’s ministry within the denomination. According to the 2016 Book of Discipline (Par. 256.6), “United Methodist Men exists to declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life. Men’s ministry leads to the spiritual growth of men and effective discipleship. This purpose is served as men are called to model the servant leadership of Jesus Christ.” Key areas of ministry include civic/youth-serving endeavors, evangelism, mission, prayer, spiritual life and stewardship.
Father’s Day celebrates father figures, including biological fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers. In the United States, the day is observed annually on the third Sunday of June.
Proverbs 22:6 (MSG) offers great advice for parents and parent figures, as well as mentors through United Methodist Men and other organizations: “Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.”
Adapted from “General Commission on United Methodist Men Announces New Director of the Center for Men’s Ministries,” GCUMM, Oct. 17, 2022
Children’s Story
Are you a Scout or a 4-H member? Both are fun ways to learn new things and do good things in your life and in the world. You could start a book drive or build a Little Free Library to help people read. You could do a neighborhood cleanup or learn about how to love plants and animals. You could help people who don’t have homes get things they need to live.
In your church, you probably go to Sunday school. When you are older, you’ll go to youth group. And when you grow up, you’ll be part of United Methodist Women or United Methodist Men. However old you are, you can find ways to help your church and your community. And, best of all, everyone can do it!
Today we’re going to talk about United Methodist Men. One of the favoriteways for United Methodist Men to be part of the church—and to share their love for Jesus Christ—is by being a Scout leader. Some men teach Sunday school, lead youth groups and help with the worship service. And outside the church building, United Methodist Men help with mission activities at home and far away.
Do you know the song “This Little Light of Mine” (UMH #585)? It’s an African American spiritual based on Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:14-16a, NRSVUE: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others.”
God calls each of us to carry the light of Jesus’s love into the world. That’s what United Methodist Men try to do every day!
Let’s talk about this:
- Why is it important to be a part of groups like Scouting and 4-H?
- Who are United Methodist Men?
- What did Jesus mean when he said, “You are the light of the world” and “Let your light shine”?
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, thank you for your goodness, your steadfast love that endures forever and your faithfulness that continues for all generations. Help us to share your abundant love. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Third Sunday after Pentecost — Mighty God, with your powerful arms, hold up your church! We are struggling through tough times in our churches; we need to be renewed again and filled with your power. Reach inside us and open hearts wide that we might give the full measure of our devotion. As you revived the saints who came before us, revive us to go out and welcome the forgotten, heal the sick, speak the words of comfort and hope to the discouraged. In the holy name of Christ, we pray. Amen. (Matt 9:35-10:8 (9-23)
Newsletter Nugget
When our congregation supports the World Service Fund, we assist church agencies that work around the globe. One is the General Commission on United Methodist Men, which oversees the coordination and resourcing of men’s ministry within the denomination.
According to the 2016 Book of Discipline (Par. 256.6), “United Methodist Men exists to declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life. Men’s ministry leads to the spiritual growth of men and effective discipleship. This purpose is served as men are called to model the servant leadership of Jesus Christ.”
In many congregations, a United Methodist Men group offers opportunities for fellowship, prayer and Bible study and outreach in the local church and the community. The General Commission on United Methodist Men works with local units, subdistricts, districts, conferences and jurisdictional organizations. The goal is to increase the local unit’s effectiveness in mission and ministry through opportunities not available through any other source.
Want to learn more? Check out “UM Men,” an electronic quarterly publication of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. The digest-size magazine contains news of activities of UMM organizations around the world, opinion pieces and feature articles.