What do you want most out of a small group meeting for men? Pick 2.
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[Poll]
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What do you want most out of a small group meeting for men? Pick 2.
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| Bible Study / Prayer |
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| Book (not Bible) Study |
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| Support Network |
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| Freindship |
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| Opportunities for Recreation |
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| Accountability |
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Total Votes : 68
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(last vote on : 7/17/2008 7:23:18 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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What do you want most out of a small group meeting for ... - 4/10/2008 7:10:50 PM
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beauregarde
Posts: 458
Joined: 1/10/2006
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Small groups bring up all kinds of things in the minds of people. Women being the virtuous ones, get fellowship groups. While men, presumably full of nasty vices, get accountability groups. So, "What do you want out of a group?"
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/10/2008 7:42:18 PM
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mb35
Posts: 262
Joined: 8/6/2007
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I don't want regular "official" male meetings. I do meet up w/ my male friends regularly because we enjoy each other's company...small talk, grillin', etc.
As far as any kind of "official" male meeting (the collective self-interest type of meeting), I'm not particularly interested....be it the Masons or whatever. I do enjoy Bible discussion, general book discussion, etc., but most Christian's that I know pretty well stay in their gated communities. Locked away in a safe little vacuum - with Pat Robertson and Fox News. Free-thinking and open discussion, doesn't go over very well from my experience. Typically there are one or two LOUD guys that just have to exert their "alpha status", along w/ their various biases. In any "official" male meeting, there's always a few jokers that have to be right...and have to be heard. However, they don't listen - trying to express something to them is like trying to chip away at a mountain with a toothpick. Just not my cup of tea.
So, I normally meet-up with my male friends to - have fun and enjoy myself.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/10/2008 8:43:43 PM
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9drtr
Posts: 1582
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Toronto the Good
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All of the above.
But I voted Bible study.
_____________________________
Edwin
When we know who is coming, how can we worry about what is coming? When the last hour belongs to us, how can we worry about the next minute?
Ross Crighton
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/11/2008 8:10:12 AM
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YZGUY
Posts: 263
Joined: 3/9/2008
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Too bad you can't vote for more than one - I like the idea of getting together to build friendships (something most men lack), some recreation (playing pool, sports, etc.) and doing a Bible Study.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/11/2008 12:24:51 PM
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rayofson
Posts: 8674
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Support network and accountability.
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Please don't feed the Ogre.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/11/2008 7:37:34 PM
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mrtigger
Posts: 257
Joined: 4/12/2005
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My main interest in small groups has been finding friendship but I've never found a close friendship through a church group. I've found church relationships tend to stay superficial and kind of tedious. Most of my friends I've found through work.
I'm not that far from leaving the work world though (and with that the source of guy friendships). I've thought of looking into fraternal organizations like Shriners or Masons to replace it.
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mr tigger
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/12/2008 11:49:05 PM
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Christian30
Posts: 189
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Stafford, TX (Houston suburb)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mb35
I don't want regular "official" male meetings. I do meet up w/ my male friends regularly because we enjoy each other's company...small talk, grillin', etc.
As far as any kind of "official" male meeting (the collective self-interest type of meeting), I'm not particularly interested....be it the Masons or whatever. I do enjoy Bible discussion, general book discussion, etc., but most Christian's that I know pretty well stay in their gated communities. Locked away in a safe little vacuum - with Pat Robertson and Fox News. Free-thinking and open discussion, doesn't go over very well from my experience. Typically there are one or two LOUD guys that just have to exert their "alpha status", along w/ their various biases. In any "official" male meeting, there's always a few jokers that have to be right...and have to be heard. However, they don't listen - trying to express something to them is like trying to chip away at a mountain with a toothpick. Just not my cup of tea.
So, I normally meet-up with my male friends to - have fun and enjoy myself.
mb35, I'm sorry that this is your experience. I'm in a group at our church with a mature and balanced perspective of male fellowship, despite a diversity in personality types. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, but to emphasize that there are some good group opportunities among Christian men. I'd encourage you to look harder. This type of fellowship can really help to build you up in the Lord.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/14/2008 7:34:44 PM
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Konstantinos
Posts: 8540
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From: Greece Thessaloniki
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i dont care for groups or whatever, i just want friends.
good friends might i add. or better yet great. best. awesome. whatever!
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I'm best friends with the boogie man.
I'm a beast.
I'm a HH.
Tiger hug.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/16/2008 11:50:10 AM
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rayofson
Posts: 8674
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quote:
i just want friends.
Sometimes groups can be the means to that end.
_____________________________
Please don't feed the Ogre.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/17/2008 6:33:22 AM
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denbert
Posts: 17277
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Yep, most of our friends come from those small groups.
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The solution to a problem changes the problem
Denny
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 4/29/2008 10:48:00 PM
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spiritchsr1
Posts: 135
Joined: 9/13/2005
From: Ohio
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I started a Mens Fellowship Breakfast meeting three years ago. The Lord gave me the idea, and I found a few guys interested in doing this. A Minister friend of mine was willing to lead this Fellowship.
We first started to meet at Starbucks on Saturday Mornings at 8:00AM and went until 9:00Am. Then for While the Lord led us to meet in one guy's house every Saturday morning. We took the fellowsship to him.
A while later we started meeting at Panera Bread every Saturday morning from 8:00am until 9:00am until we got sick of their menu and high prices.
The one Minister has since moved on and passed the leadership down to another Minster friend of mine. We now meet at a local neighborhood restaurent called Steves Place. They have great food at low prices.
The point here is that over the last three years of this Mens Fellowship many people have come and gone through this fellowship. It is going on its fourth year meeting every Saturday Morning at 8:00am. God has provided a steady stream of people hungry for the Lord and his Word, as well as the Places that we have met on Saturday mornings.
Many years ago when I first joined the Lutheran Church, they had a Mens fellowship that met every other Saturday morning. All I did was copy what they did, and the Lord took over and has kept us going.
This Fellowship is on its forth year spreading the Word to anyone who wants to listen. I take no credit for any of this. This was all the Lord's work. I just followed what the Lord wanted me to do. Praise the Lord!
Spiritchsr1
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 5/29/2008 2:10:16 PM
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pberardi
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/15/2006
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I attend a men's Bible Study on Tuesday nights and have been for about eight months. I feel most comfortable studying the Bible in a small group setting of only men. We can speak freely without distraction, pray for one another, and can relate on topics of the Bible without "explanation" to the weaker vessel. I feel that the Bible Study is the most important aspect of this meeting and it helps to have a network of support as well. If friendship comes out of it so be it. But I would rather not ruin the Bible Study with friendships. Those are the two that I picked.
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www.pbdevotions.blogspot.com
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 5/30/2008 10:33:32 PM
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Pauley464
Posts: 556
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: Washington, Indiana
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I look for friendship most of all.
But I also look for support, accountablity, opportunities for recreation, a chance to study my Bible with older, wiser, more knowledgable men
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There is nothing so important that it can't be put off until tomorrow.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 6/22/2008 2:19:55 AM
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Darien8869
Posts: 28
Joined: 6/20/2008
From: Claremore Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mrtigger
My main interest in small groups has been finding friendship but I've never found a close friendship through a church group. I've found church relationships tend to stay superficial and kind of tedious. Most of my friends I've found through work.
I'm not that far from leaving the work world though (and with that the source of guy friendships). I've thought of looking into fraternal organizations like Shriners or Masons to replace it.
I would encourage you to be EXTREMELY careful in selecting a fraternal group. And do a lot of praying first. There is a lot of "religion" in some of those groups, especially the shriners and masons, but it's the not the kind of religion that I think pleases God. If you first do a lot of research on such groups your eyes will open to some things you never knew that you really need to know about BEFORE you get involved. Some of those groups, ESPECIALLY THE MASONS, are extremely hard to get out of alive. I've done a lot of personal study on this a number of years ago and although I can't remember a lot of the specifics now, I WILL NEVER join such a group. I would strongly suggest starting your own group with your friends and keeping it contained to your own common grounds and not forming something with rules, bylaws, philosophies and such like the organized groups (fraternal groups) have. There are a lot of underlying things involved and it's much like a cult in most cases. Sad fact of today's world. Secret societies are not God's will for His people. just my thoughts!
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 6/27/2008 11:37:31 PM
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kljohnson77
Posts: 67
Joined: 12/28/2006
From: North Central Texas
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I second the comments about Masons. Although Shriners--and Masons--do good works, they are part of the same masonic morass.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 6/29/2008 12:17:29 PM
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pastrech
Posts: 15
Joined: 1/30/2008
Status: offline
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Keeping groups in the christian faith category is good but if it is for the purpose of making good friends or long lasting relationships I have found that most church based groups fail in that arena. I'm am not sure for what reason , they just do. It seems groups are for specific purposes, ie. to share skills, hobbies, occupation or to focus energy towards a goal. Then if a friendship spins out of that it works.
I have found that long lasting friendships are fostered by survival. When I went to graduate school the only way for most of us to survive was to buddy up , cover each others back and be committed. The alternative was to fail. The loners that succeeced were exceptional students but it was apparent after a couple of years that they were unhappy and stressed out. The friendships from that experience transend time because of the memories and the debt we owed each other for sacrifices we made to see each other through or die. There are a few that I have not talked to in years but I know I could drop in any time and pick up right where we left off. Why can't the church be that way? I have been trying for years and still go to mens group meetings but it is not the same.
You know the intensity is not there when you hear things like we are going to take a break for the summer or stop getting together until a new
leader is found,etc.. Just as a note of observation. My wife can't relate to this and she seems to see it as a reason to resent or be jealous even though I have tried to include her. Come to find out after all these years she was one of those more loner type in school.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 6/30/2008 8:34:55 AM
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Dagwat
Posts: 53
Joined: 6/13/2008
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mrtigger
My main interest in small groups has been finding friendship but I've never found a close friendship through a church group. I've found church relationships tend to stay superficial and kind of tedious. Most of my friends I've found through work.
I'm not that far from leaving the work world though (and with that the source of guy friendships). I've thought of looking into fraternal organizations like Shriners or Masons to replace it.
OUCH! I also have to weigh in on the Shriners, Masons and other such groups. On the surface they do some good things, but underneath it all, it can be pretty ugly. I would suggest maybe something more local and smaller that shares your specific interests. Like for example, if you're really into guns, think about joining a gun club, or a golf club, bowling league, fishing club or even just a local senior citizens group or something. There's a lot of good places you can look at, or even do volunteer work in some area which interests you. Those are positive ways to find small groups of men who share your interests, and maybe more so than a church group in some cases. I attend a very small church and have little in common with anyone there. I know what you mean. Friendship is hard to find now days. I mean really real friends. But I strongly recommend being very cautious of what you get involved with and make sure it's something you can easily get out of if you decide you want to leave it later.
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RE: What do you want most out of a regular rucurring sm... - 6/30/2008 11:47:15 AM
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beauregarde
Posts: 458
Joined: 1/10/2006
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As to Shriner's, Masons, whatever, they are secret fraternal organizations. The key being secret - "We won't let you know up front."
Sounds a bit contrary to Paul's charge to the Galatians "If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God's curse fall upon that person." See Galatians 1:6-10.
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