| Bishop urges UMM to attract younger members By John Coleman Jr.
UMCONNECTION STAFF “There’s a hunger in men across the United States,” Bishop John R. Schol told a gathering of Baltimore-Washington Conference United Methodist Men, Oct. 9. He challenged them to feed that spiritual hunger through more creative outreach that finds unchurched men — especially young men — where they are and offers them the promise of lives transformed through Jesus Christ. The new bishop spoke to about 60 men at the organization’s annual meeting at Good Hope Union UMC in Silver Spring. He compared the denomination’s aging membership and lack of men in church on Sunday mornings to the thousands of young men he said would be watching the televised pro football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins the next night. “Every church wanting to reach men should be organizing football parties in members’ homes and inviting young men to come fellowship,” he said. “We know where they’ll be; let’s be there with them and for them.” Bishop Schol suggested men’s groups organize activities and set meeting times and venues that reflect young men’s needs and interests. Noting the presence of several young adults and youth, he urged his listeners to invite other men into “not just an organization but a movement that is about changing lives and pushing into the future where God is leading us.” Curtis Brisbon, president of the conference men’s organization, ended his two-year term, as members elected Sherman Harris, of Asbury UMC in Washington, to succeed him. Larry McCrae was reelected vice president, Anthony Brzeczkow is secretary, and Philip Ferguson is treasurer.  | JOHN COLEMAN JR. / UMCONNECTION | Curtis Brisbon, left, passes the leadership of the conference United Methodist Men to Sherman Harris. |
The men also heard Mike Goins, Annapolis District men’s president, report on his district’s recent “street evangelism” effort, when a dozen members went door-to-door handing out tracts and talking and praying with residents and passers-by. “None of us had ever done this before,” Goins said, “but this is something men’s groups need to do. It will bless you and your church.” The district group, which also delivered two truckloads of donated potatoes to several low-income communities, will sponsor another street evangelism experience this fall and invite more men’s groups to participate. McCrae announced that next year’s annual meeting also will include a street evangelism experience for attendees.
| 
Login/Register to leave comment