Real Men of Integrity
Mark Pomeroy
3701 "O" St. #B5, Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 474-7325
pomeroy@realmen.org
www.realmen.org

July 2004

Dear Partners in Ministry,

Thanks for your prayers. I recently heard a short teaching from Matt. 14:13-21 regarding the hesitancy of the disciples to feed the multitudes. Their unbelief led to three excuses:

• Not here. “The place was desolate” v. 15
• Not now. “The time is already past” v. 15
• Not us. “Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for
  themselves.”

But Jesus told the disciples to give the multitude something to eat. The disciples responded that they only had five loaves and two fish. How often are we focused on our lack? We observe that God blesses our little to be a blessing to others.

Other times, we may seek new ways of doing church, even renewal or being innovative. Our efforts can often be aimed at self-preservation, self-aggrandizement or self-improvement to save our lives instead of losing them.

Brian McLaren continues this line of argument in his recent commentary from Leadership:

“So, we want to be blessed (big, exciting, vibrant, wealthy, healthy, wise). We want to be great (a great nation, a great denomination, a great congregation). To this end we pray and pay and read and plead and strive and strain and yearn and learn and groan and labor. And we give birth to wind.

“Meanwhile, might God be otherwise occupied, scanning the earth for people who will also cherish being made into a great blessing, so that all people on earth can be blessed through us? Are we seeking blessing so as to be a blessing to the world God loves?”

Along these lines, my heart is to see pastors and ministry leaders praying together. A local business owner and myself are working on a Sept. 11 th prayer time for pastors with Dana Olson, former pastor of Trinity Baptist in Lincoln, who is scheduled to come to the city that weekend. We ultimately would like to see a pastor’s prayer summit in Lincoln to reflect the beauty of unity in Psalm 133 and Christ’s prayer in John 17 so the world can believe that Jesus Christ is God. Please pray that this could become a reality!!

Several other focuses this past month include a weekly prayer meeting with men’s ministry leaders from various churches. Please pray for God’s direction.

I am also serving on a directional team for men’s ministry at Lincoln Berean. Our focus is prayer as we shared the ROCK vision at a recent men’s breakfast. R stands for Resources. O for Opportunities. C for Communication. K for Knee or Prayer. Our goal is the High Five: man to God, man to wife, man to kids, man to man and man to work. My responsibility is to find or develop resources in each of these five areas. Two men who shared their testimony at the breakfast will pray for our team at the next scheduled meeting, Sun., July 25 th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Sincerely in Christ,

Mark Pomeroy