|
| The evangelistic newspaper of the modern Jesus Army | 2003 |
IRON SHARPENS IRON!
Jesus Army Training Year candidate, James Taylor was 'blown away' by a recent 'Men Alive for God'
This was my second 'Men Alive for God'- my first was one of the factors in my decision to do a training year. I'd never seen such a masculine church - as a man, it felt great!
Hundreds of us came from all over the UK to Spinney Hill Theatre, Northampton, to have a "spiritual check-up" to sharpen, encourage and love one another. It was powerful and unusual to see so many men in one place.
First we were given the call to be honest about ourselves and where we were at.
We heard how in the last 30 years men have been hit by a soul "tsunami", a tidal wave of cultural promiscuity. Effeminate men are the trend, especially in church, but we must defy the world for Jesus, the most masculine man ever!
The scripture of the day was, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other, so that you may be healed" (James 5 :16). If we were struggling we had to get real about it and cry for help. Our sharpening of each other needed to be more serious, extending even to the hidden areas of our self-esteem and our sexuality. I felt really convicted, but also happy that I was in a place where I was encouraged not to excuse my sin, but be open about it and get it out of my life.
The warmth of the atmosphere during both mealtimes was really strong, and it was difficult to get a cup of tea without being hugged all the time!
Then it was seminars, with an amazing span of subjects: marriage, sacraments, church planting, the crucified lifestyle and "Culture clash" chat show! "I chose "Moving violently to take the kingdom of God" and "Effective disciple making."
I learnt that Jesus spoke of those who forced their way into the kingdom, and that men should use their aggression for God's Kingdom, not their own flesh. That means violently putting our selfish desires to death for our brothers and sisters. "Once we choose to be comfortable" said the speaker, "we are finished".
We came back together again to praise with "masculine" songs. Many were visibly more confident and open to God. Time to gather for Jesus Revolution! Like the historic revolutionaries we must be absorbed by the revolution, deliberately defying the established ways, an army of radicals.
My personal highlight was ending with the J-Generation (age 15-35) men on stage, praising God, crying "take the world, give me Jesus", whilst head banging! That sums up the "brother-power" of 'Men Alive for God'.
This article has been extracted from Streetpaper, published by Jesus Fellowship
|
|
