Following the Steve's recent envisioning for the Men of the Anlaby Churches to meet with one another to share their lives and faith in small groups of about 4's; we are keen to have a monthly gathering for men to come together to encourage and challenge one another to run the race well. This is open to all men and 14+ at the Anlaby Churches.
The opportunities to meet together so far have been varied in style, day, time and location - and this will continue. However, there will be some common activities to each gathering:
In all of these we are aiming to facilitate us learning to: have fun; know each other better; spur one another on to resist sin and to follow Jesus well - living distinctly for him; being satisfied in God and hence to glorify him more.
If you've been to the gatherings and enjoyed them, then please share your enthusiasm with other men at the Anlaby Churches who did not attend and offer them a personal invitation to join us next time.
As the weather improves we will venture outside, if you have any suggestions for other activities or topics that you would be interested in, could run or contribute to helping organize with Chris then please let him know.
The next men's gathering will take place on Saturday 25th June at St Mark's Church, between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
Pride, as a lack of humility, is a major issue that many struggle with. Pride can kill our faith and destroy relationships. God has gifted us with natural abilities and supernatural gifts to be used to serve one another, but our pride can turn this blessing that builds up into a curse that tears down. Join us as we consider how we can actively put our pride to death.
Chris: When I was working as ministry trainee one of the practical activities that reminded me that 'ministry' means serving others rather than being a status symbol was to serve in the mundane everyday tasks. One of the major factors in keeping my pride in check, whilst I had more upfront areas of service was to clear down the hall for the 0-5's playgroup and sweep the floors. As I serve in more upfront capacities I continue to look for ways to serve in the mundane - from moving chairs to putting the bibles away! As a way of encouraging this perspective the activity for this men's gathering will be moving the furniture back to the recently refurbished vestry!
During Killing Pride we will:
The previous men's gathering took place on Saturday 21st May at St Mark's Church, between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
During Grace we:
As men, we are at an exciting phase of our life at the Anlaby Churches. Please watch the video (posted Jan 2022) below for more information about how you can be involved. If you'd like to know more read on or ask one of the men at the Anlaby Churches. if you do not know anyone then you could email our Pastor Steve using steve.wilcox@anlabychurches.org.uk
We are keen that
that putting the vision into practice is led by God the Holy Spirit so that it
grows by relationship and his leading not by our own plans or agenda. We should
be weary of picking groups based on friendships and those who are most like us
in some way. The church is a body of
many parts and we all need each other, we need those not like us with
different gifts and personalities to flourish. However this does not mean that
we will not need to make plans - after all leadership and administration can
also be spiritual gifts.
In the early stages
of putting this vision into action it will be important for men who want to
meet with others in small groups about 4 to get to know others who want the same; to
figure out who there is, when and where they can meet and for those who are not
sure what this could look like or are nervous of what this could mean for them
to have opportunity to decide for themselves. I would like to say from the
outset that this idea is not a new one. Jesus met with 3 others within the 12.
It is not something that is for the super-spiritual - this is ordinary life as
a Christian, we've just been slow to get going. I would encourage those who
feel uncomfortable about this or any spiritual activity to discern for
themselves whether this is caution from God the Holy Spirit, or temptation from
the enemy that means we fail to do the good we know we should - of course I am speaking generally here and not specifically
to this vision.
Once groups are somewhat established it will be good to encourage meeting altogether to share stories of what God has done , as well as to continue to facilitate further growth and unity among men and establish new groups as needed. As part of the vision the groups will have a best before date of 2 years; but need about a year become mature!
When Steve shared the
vision with the elders (warden team) we have agreed that we should lead by
example and form the first few groups with each of us in different groups. Steve
has formed a group of 3 who meet on a Saturday morning (Steve, Al, Adam) and
are prayerfully considering whether someone else will join them. Chris has formed a group of 4 who meet alternate Wednesday mornings near Hull University (Chris, Ben, James, Joseph). Don M has formed a group of 3 (Don M, Jim & ?) who meet on a Wednesday night fortnightly at his house. Gordon is happy to meet with anyone who wants (Last Updated 15th May)
However, we would be
delighted to hear from you if you feel led to organise your own group and
encourage you strongly to do so. Since we want organic growth - all the groups
will and should look different to one another in how they function and feel.
The elders (warden team) are keen to ensure that all groups have common
elements:
The men's gathering took place on Monday 28th March at St Mark's Church, between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
During Escape we:
If you've been to the gatherings and enjoyed them, then please share your enthusiasm with other men at the Anlaby Churches who did not attend and offer them a personal invitation to join us next time.
As the weather improves we will venture outside, if you have any suggestions for other activities that you would be interested in, could run or contribute to helping organize with Chris then please let him know.
The men's gathering Play, Pizza & Pastor took place on Saturday 19th February.
At Play, Pizza & Pastor we:
For those who were unable to join us, why not join the conversation with your fellow men? Listen to the Podcast as linked above and reflect on some of the questions below. We can talk after the service, meet up or discuss further in our groups of 3's and 4's.