PART 5: A FEW GOOD MEN?

I wonder if other churches are facing the same dilemma today...there are missing pieces in our fellowships: men, boys, fathers, and grandfathers. What has caused this drift away from our churches? Could it be lack of service opportunities in line with their gifts? Could it be lack of programs/ministry geared specifically for these groups? Could it be the church mentality that men only want to play/watch sports and fix things but give no emphasis on spiritual development?
Whenever I discuss this among fellow ministers and officers, manytimes the attitude is taken that we as women officers are just mad because we have to plan more programming than the men. When we view the lack of ministry to men as a "work" contest this is where the point is totally missed! For The Salvation Army, although we are partnered in ministry with spouses, this has not always been the reality with programming. Back in the day (and some exist today), the men were responsible for administration, public relations, and fundraising and the women were responsible for programming/ministry opportunities. Although not the Army mandate, this was still the practice. So, the result was more women/children's programming and no real emphasis on men's fellowship and spiritual development.
Understanding this history, we can see some explanation about how we are experiencing such an imbalance in our congregation's make-up. I can go into the whole discussion about the structure and make-up of our divisional/territorial/international positions and the imbalance that is occuring in the administration of these ministries...But what do we do now? Where do we go from here? How do we quickly but effectively address this problem? What resourcing can be done throughout the "ranks" to ensure the necessary materials and information are given to the field? How do we on the field get the information up through the ranks? Again, if there is any suggestions that other churches have found useful, anything in your experience as an officer, soldier, or other church member...please help us figure this out!

PART 4: CYCLES

In our adult Bible study we are discussing the book of Jeremiah. We were in chapter 25 last night and let me tell you...it's not one you want to read to your children at bedtime. So far in our study we have been challenged to listen to God's direction, not to find security in our "religion" but in God, to make honest and intentional commitments to God, and to allow Him to shape and mold us (as an individual and as a corps). This week though our eyes were opened to the seriousness of God's wrath. We know that through Christ we are given the opportunity to accept His sacrifice for us. What we discussed though are the cycles as the human race, the church, and as people we go through in our commitments to God. Here, the nations (Israel and Judah in particular) were trying to have it all...allowing their hearts to become consumed with the world (not people but desires and ideas) and not focused on pure worship of God. So, I guess my question today is...where do you see humanity, the church, and maybe even yourself in this cycle? Are we repeating the sins of previous generations? Are we on the mend or are we spiraling out of control? Will the words in Jeremiah 25 ring true to our church/corps, town, nation, or world? What, if anything, can we do to influence change in hearts (individual and corporate) from a temporary to an eternal focus?

PART 3: THE KEY TO ANSWERS

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted. Our youngest dtr just returned home from having ear surgery (tubes placed in both ears) on Tuesday. She's doing much better and we are so glad to finally be home! As I sat at Children's Hospital those 5 days, I had a lot of time to read my Bible, think, and pray over all the questions and situations that have come up in bloggerland and in the "real" world. The Lord placed it upon my heart that the biggest answer, the best solution and the biggest reason why we are finding ourselves questioning all these things is accountability.
Why accountability? It is the way we can keep ourselves in check...where we can't be duped by lying to ourselves that it's all ok. Bloggerland debates and other discussions I've had all come down to this: we've lost a sense of direction as a church. We need to get back to the basics...not all about doing, not all about meeting the deadlines, not all about numbers...but about people and loving them the best we can to reflect God's love!
How did we lose this sight? When we challenge our corps members about priority...we have them list their daily and weekly schedules (including leisure time). It's amazing that those who put God on the top of their list spend the least amount of regular time with Him (in service and in communication). Without this accountability check, we can be fooling ourselves thinking that we are doing all we can to serve when in reality it's all superficial stuff we're doing (and not on purpose..but with "good" intentions).
So here is my question....How does an organization/church institute (not best word choice) accountability? Do we as believers have a responsibility to hold the church to accountability? If so, how do we do this while still showing the respect to the authorities placed over us? Also, do you see accountability (or lack thereof) as the main reason we have lost sight of our mission over the years?