Ministry-To-Men: An Official Department of the CME Church

1. Ministry-To-Men:An Official Department of the CME Church Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Robert L. Robbins Sr., Ed.D Regional Coordinator, Atlanta-Rome District, Essayist The root causes for male disengagement in church and school are centered in apathy, lack of success in church and school; lack of Christian Training and Self Management; and absence of small church and small school learning environments.

2. Vision Statement The vision and long term direction The CME Church will provide the spiritual foundation that will bridge the gap between men, ministry and community. By official authorization of the Ministry-To-Men one of the official departments (General Offices), The CME Connection has faced the first challenge in authentication of a General Office through identification of impact components in male spirituality. An identification that interlocks a new evangelical concept: A partnership between the local Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) and Communities-In-Demographic location of a CME Church site. The Local CME Church will provide certified liturgical and pastoral personnel;, new member and reclamation orientation, Bible Study,, Sunday Church School, and other worship experiences required to offer a full faith-based service to meet the needs of each participant. Communities-In-Demographic Location of a CME Church site will provide a population to recruit, witness to, and coordinate community activities to help males overcome educational, societal, and non-faith barriers to the Good Life.

3. Goal and Objective • The Goal To implement smart goals that will uplift the men in our Church and communities. • The Objective To define,identify and implement the spiritual and cultural delivery systems with institutional tools needed to help previously disengaged males succeed. • Multiple strategies necessary for Success A Ministry-To-Men Model of worship responsive to spiritual, educational and societal needs. Cutting-Edge Pastoral Training Experiential Learning Components Wrap-Around Services Christian Training Data analysis

4. Today’s Situation • Summary of the current situation The Barna Research Group, a Christian research firm based in Ventura, California found that more than 90 percent of African-American males believe in God; and five of six call themselves Christians. But only two of 10 attend Church on a given Sunday. The Professional Association of Educators, a body of professional educators researching, recommending and implementing reform in education, based in Atlanta, Georgia found that same “Good-To-Great” principles apply to social service organizations including businesses and schools. The CME Connectional Church is challenged with “Going from Good to Great: In Faith-and-In-Faithfulness.” The educational challenge is focused on “Can We have both Good and Great Schools.” The overpowering mission, as revealed in research, is to integrate the spiritual and educational thematic constructs. Therefore, the Ministry-To-Men General Office mandate is to interlock a new evangelical concept for men with improving education in low-performing schools in our communities, while encouraging good laymen, preachers, teachers and students to flourish and/or promote greatness in our churches and schools. • Re-Connect Strategies Counseling, Advisement and mentoring processes to help Black males regain life focus Assessment benchmarks for measuring achievement gains Voluntary and community services recruiting members based on commitment Individualized self-management plans Spiritual delivery systems Leadership responsibility Career Capstones

5. How Did We Get Here? • Relevant Historical Information The root causes for Black Male disengagement are: Church apathy and school failure; lack of success in Church and school; Lack of Christian Training; absence of small Church or school environment; Lack of choice between non-traditional and traditional settings in Church or school; Christian perfection; universal redemption; justification of faith; and self-paced appeal for grace. • Original Assumptions that are no longer Valid • Black male disengagement is historical or a problematic Church. T • The problem is with man’s own spiritual journey or educational outlook • Identification of life benchmarks • Church and school are the automatic re-set buttons

6. Available Options • Alternative Strategies • Monday Night Football Sessions • Tutoring • Monday Night Bible Study • Once-A-Week In-House Mentoring • Prison Ministries (Pre, Post, and Wrap-around Services) • List Advantages • Place for logical men to study the Bible, homework help and watch the game • Place to have and share a meal with family • Place for those interested in physical development • Place where former inmates having problems getting their records expunged can receive help • Place that spurs development and revitalization of the neighborhood • The Fellowship Hall is available to neighborhood groups, civic associations and local business community events • Community access to job training programs and other on-site services

7. Recommendations • The fundamental strategy: The Ministry-To-Men will follow a reclamation or re-entry process that offers new hope of salvation and a first step lease on the ‘good life’ to new converts, law offenders and homeless persons. • Visionary Success Projection: Most males must begin their journey to spiritual and personal success by taking advantage of wraparound services provided by Monday Night Bible Study, prison ministry (pre, post and follow-up services), mentoring, tutoring, and Monday Night Football. • What to do next: Convince Pastors and Stewards to finance project. The wrap-around services will include: • Drug and alcohol treatment • Mental and physical evaluations, treatment and rehabilitation • Educational development and life-skills training • Job training and placement • Social services/Community support groups • Family Counseling • Housing placement assistance We (Ministry-To-Men members): Believe that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. When Christ comes into his life, he no longer fight and buries his swords (of any kind) never to use them again. He changes into a brand new creature. His life style changes, he walks, talks, his thought patterns, personality and all about him changes. When we accept Christ in our hearts, He has full control of our lives and we are therefore committed to His Will and we are determined to satisfy HIM.