As sounds of “The Wonderous Cross” ring through Lexington Baptist Church, no treble soprano voices can be detected among the crowd of nearly 1,200.
This day is for guys only.
The Men’s Salt and Light Equipping Conference combines breakout sessions such as “Golf God’s Way” and “Great Dads – Instilling Spiritual and Moral Values” with time to meet with other men from across the state.
Speaker – Robert Lewis, founder of Men’s Fraternity Bible Studies, tells the 1,200 men who attended the Salt and Light Conference, “You can do anything and everything, but until you encounter God, you will never be a real man.”In its eighth year, the crowds attending the conference have grown steadily. According to guest speaker Robert Lewis, founder of Men’s Fraternity Bible studies and author of “Quest for Authentic Manhood,” this is evidence of a much larger change in men’s ministry in this country.
“You can do anything and everything, but until you encounter God, you will never be a real man,” stated Lewis.
Men’s Fraternity, a biblically based program for men to interact with other men, is taking off in churches across the country. Lewis attributes the rapid growth to the desire of men to have a sustainable time to meet with other men. According to Lewis, most ministries geared to men, such as Promise Keepers, are “moments in time,” rather than a consistent approach to ministry.
Rick Fisher, pastor of Lexington Baptist Church, and Lewis demonstrated a sample Men’s Fraternity meeting. The Fraternity group meeting at Lewis’s home church in Arkansas meets on Friday mornings at 6 a.m. and draws thousands of men in the community.
“Men are in trouble today. They are confused, and confused men cause major problems.”
Lewis, who grew up with an absent, alcoholic father, faced the reality of his lack of definition of biblical manhood as he entered college at the University of Arkansas. During his time in school, he says his “background bully” followed him.
“One of the great tragedies of the church is that Christian men cannot identify authentic manhood – our society is turning out thousands of men like this,” he said.
Lewis also identified other issues facing men today, including gender roles and lack of accountability with other men. But in what Lewis terms as a “silver lining,” men are beginning to seek help in the church.
“Men have incredible needs that, when they are met, can change the world.”
And in a challenge to attendees, Lewis called men the barometer of the church.
“As men go, so goes the church. As men go, so goes society.”