| October 9, 2007 |
Vol 8, Issue 32 |
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 Get Ready to Lead!
"It's simple. We're just changing the world."
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"The rallying cry: No man left behind"
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 Greetings!...
...Ernest Shackleton was a British explorer known not for a successful expedition but a failed one. His ship was crushed by the ice and his entire crew stranded. But because of Shackleton's determination, every man survived the 18-month ordeal. Shackleton returned to Britain a hero in spite of the fact that he never reached the South Pole.
There is a poignant moment in the A & E movie about the life of Ernest Shackleton in which he insists to a despondent assistant, "They will not die. I will not let them die."
I showed that clip at a Passing the Baton men's retreat this weekend and tears filled almost every eye in the room as the men committed to leave no man behind, young or old, as they pass the baton of faithfulness to the next generation.
For the last two weeks the GRTL newsletter has focused on the tragedy of the younger generation of Americans walking away from the church. We saw that "outsiders" in the younger generation have actually come to hate Christianity, and young Christians are leaving the church in droves.
But enough about the problems. Let's talk about solutions, including some I know you'll be able to implement this week! |
10.5 things you can say in church this week to inspire the younger generation
|  1. "Hi, my name is ___. What's your name?"
2. "I've seen you here before and I'm embarrassed that I didn't take time to introduce myself."
3. "I'm really glad you're here."
4. "I'm interested in knowing more about you. What's your story?"
5. "How are things going with your (job, school, etc.)?"
6. "Tell me a little about yourself--how you see yourself, your likes and dislikes, your dreams."
7. "We would like to invite you to our home for lunch. And if you're here with friends, they're welcome too."
8. "I get together with a small group in our home every Sunday evening. I would really like you to come--I'll promise that we'll make you feel welcome."
9. "How can I pray for you?"
10. "Life can be tough, and its our goal as a church to be there for you. We're not perfect at it by a long stretch, but we really do care."
10.5. "God has given you great potential. Press on and let me know how I can support you."
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| "These guys live this stuff!" |
 "This weekend was more than nice ideas. It drove me to action." That's how one participant described the weekend-long Passing the Baton workshop for the men's group at Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA.
The Passing the Baton Workshop is a six-session workshop in which participants discover the blessing that comes from mentoring, coaching and discipling the next generation. They gain specific strategies for discipling others in a fun and natural way, without having to be "perfect" or have all the answers.
Our 15 presenters have delivered the workshop to more than 300 Christian schools and a handful of churches and homeschool groups, but never to a men's conference. When the opportunity arose as a result of some homeschool dads I had met a couple of years ago, Wolfgang Seibler and I jumped at the chance.
Dads are the first and most natural disciplers of their children. Even dads whose lives have been marred by bad choices can be reconciled to their children and inspire them toward a God-glorifying life.
 A total of nearly 150 men met for the event at the remote CrossRoad Conference Center in Lowesville, VA. The response was fantastic. We laughed, prayed and ministered to one another as the men embraced the biblical command to pass the baton of godly faithfulness to the next generation.
One participant said, "As Dr. Myers began sharing, I kept thinking, 'This is great but show me how to make it happen.' He definitely delivered."
This emphasis on practical application makes it easier for men to immediately begin acting on what they learn. The Heritage men are already on the move, just two days after the event. Says conference organizer Jeff Ray, "As great as the presentations were, as great as the material was, I'm most excited about the ACTION our men are taking. Passing the Baton engaged our men, and enabled them. They now have the tools and the confidence to pass their baton."
And because Passing the Baton provided all of the teaching and workbooks, the event organizers were free to relax and learn. Group leader Jeff Ray said, "This weekend's conference was unlike any I have been involved with in the past."
If you're interested in how Passing the Baton could help you produce a similar event for your group, e-mail Wolfgang Seibler here or call him directly at 1-423-570-1000 ext. 5.
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| Five questions that spark life transformation |
 The primary reason young people today have a negative impression of the church is the millions of Christians who have attended church all of their lives and yet never been transformed by the power of Christ. The millennial generation wants to know: Is this for real?
Here are some questions you can use to move toward life transformation:
1. What is the purpose of life?
2. What have you put ahead of fully living this purpose?
3. What are your greatest hope and greatest concern?
4. What extra commitments, promises, projects or stuff do you have in your life that if you got rid of them would give you the freedom to be more effective?
5. What legacy do you want to leave for others when you're gone?
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 From Jeff Myers: Make it a Great Week!
I appreciate your prayers this week. We're finishing up a student leadership conference in North Carolina. EIght schools have attended. What a blessing! We've focused on how young men can experience godly masculinity and young women can experience godly femininity. We've seen transformation take place in many young lives just in the last two days. As soon as we return home I'll repack and head to New York City to conduct the Passing the Baton workshop for the New York City Christian schools. Then it's on to the Philippines to continue work on the exciting Passing the Baton work God has been doing there over the last two years. Please pray for my family in my absence and that I'll truly be used by God to be a blessing to all nations of the earth.
--Jeff
Jeff Myers, Ph.D., President
Passing the Baton International, Inc.
Click here to e-mail me. Or here to visit our website. Or here to take our latest survey. |
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