MMF Retreat - August 10
Soar on Wings Like Eagles
IMPACT, the theme chosen by the Methodist Men’s Fellowship retreat, inscribed a new slogan in the hearts of the attending men. Mr. John K. John from Reliance, Mumbai, led the retreat and outlined the characteristics of ‘Eagle Leadership’ at the New Life Mission Retreat Centre in Avrivakkam village near Pulicat Lake on Saturday, August 10th.
The retreat’s cornerstone verse was Isaiah 40:31: “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Mr. John highlighted that eagles are dauntless, tenacious, active, loyal, and high-flyers. They possess remarkable qualities such as extended vision up to three miles and exceptional vitality. Eagle parents are devoted to caring for their young, and their long claws provide a strong grip on their prey.
The speaker encouraged attendees to learn from these characteristics and apply them in their daily lives – at work, in family settings, in social circles, and among friends. The overarching message was to rise above mediocrity in all circumstances.
In the afternoon session, Mr. John discussed the characteristics of a Christian father in the family.
Mr. Edward Harris led engaging games and presented the speaker with a beautiful canvas artwork he had created. The retreat was marked by good food and enjoyment throughout the day.
Who Moved My Goalpost?
METHODIST MEN’S RETREAT IN PONDY
Imagine today that something happens in your otherwise normal life. How do you deal with the new scenario? Or take another situation: you had a tiff with your friend, partner, spouse, or colleague. Will you want to aggravate the fight or make peaceful amends? Or you are bored with your life with a lost purpose and reduced charm in living further? And you cry out, “O Lord, take my life and let me die rather than doing nothing.”
Whatever your current situation, you could be like Prophet Jonah, who ran away from the principal assignment and boarded a ship to Tarshish, but then God moved his Goalpost to reach Nineveh with the harrowing experience in a fish’s belly. Even after completing the assignment, he started whining about the new situation.
In life, we find our goals shifting from one to another. Have you ever thought that God’s hand is behind all these circumstances, and how do we align ourselves with Him and find peace that passes all understanding? That’s what we, Methodist men, learned on a serene farm in Pondicherry on January 26th and 27th, 2024
Our trainer, Mr. Sandeep Sadarangani, a behavioural coach and counsellor, is well known in corporate circles. As a table tennis champion who represented India, his latest victory was in the International Veterans (Above 55) TT in Antalya, Turkey; World Veteran’s TT Championship in Muscat, Oman, – 2023; Thailand Open Masters Games , Chon Buri, Thailand, – 2023. And to everyone’s surprise, he achieved these laurels after undergoing nine heart surgeries for a defective aorta.During the first day, we discovered our personality type with a psychometric tool.
Once we discovered our personality types, on the second day we were taught how to deal with different other types and align with God’s priorities. God has created us uniquely to achieve His goals: to bring His Kingdom into real-life situations today and to follow the Great Commission to spread the gospel to the world. When we make our priorities His Goals (Seek ye first the Kingdom of God), all other things will follow. How is it possible? Who should do this? Of course, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. We have to submit to His will joyfully, wholeheartedly, willingly, and immediately.
Now let us hear some feedback:
I am sure that we have fulfilled what we hoped to achieve through this camp. It is not about a football goalpost, but about resetting a new goal. The goalpost always changes. The Holy Spirit has worked to make this a unique programme.
Since we did not know earlier about different personalities, we failed. But now we know how to value the personalities of others, and we can win them.
At least within our homes, we learned to put ourselves in their shoes and understand better. This training has taught us to be open to accepting others.
More than understanding others, I was able to understand myself. It is very deep, and it will take time to fully study the different types.
At home, we have a fan without a regulator. So it is either highway or my way. This programme helped me to put a regulator on myself. This helped make the entire concept of evangelism and personal Christian living meaningful, relevant, and useful.
This course helped me to wipe out all my past failings and to start a better beginning.
I am at an age when children are teenagers and facing a lot of changes in life. This was very useful to see from different perspectives within the family. In this group, I found openness and freedom, which are not seen in office settings.
In corporate circles, we have several such programmes. But this is different because this is about our ministry as Christians. This is a unique programme for believers and for the church.
I was able to understand myself thoroughly and also understand why and how my family members interact in a particular way.
In conclusion, the trainer said the following inspiring words:
We are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. You will do greater things, He said. Our God is a very loving God. He desires that we accomplish His will to bring His Kingdom here on earth. We may fail, but there will be an outcome pleasing to God. My prayer for each one of you is that you will be a blessing to people around you. As they see you, the way you interact, the way you carry yourself with your unique personalities, they will be drawn to Him, the Alpha and the Omega, and the finisher of all.
- Sundeep Sadarangani
Methodist Men conduct this month's Elders' Fellowship
On Saturday September 16, 2023, the regular Elders’ Fellowship conducted the meeting with a difference. This time, instead of the regular Social Concerns Committee, the sprightly Methodist Men’s Fellowship took care of the proceedings.
The meeting commenced with singing praises to the Almighty by Mr Prince Edwin and team which was followed by games organised by Mr Samuel Jeyakaran which entertained the seniors.
Mr. Dushyant Thomas, the dynamic Secretary of the MMF, engaged the group with a thought-provoking and interactive message on “FINDING PURPOSE”. One of the critical ways of doing so was to “Understand the love of God”. Hence he touched upon Romans 5:12-20 which was the focus of this interaction highlighting “Death through Adam, Life through Christ”.
The message went about how sin is inherited by man whereas righteousness was a gift given by the unmerited favour of God. The justification of man happens through faith and not by the works of the law, hence having mere knowledge about what Christ has done on the cross is insufficient and understanding the extend of God’s love is very important for man which in turn gives oneself a true sense of purpose.
Thanking the MMF, the chairperson of the Social Concerns Committee Mrs. Evelyn Mercylin said that all of them are truly blessed by the men’s fellowship’s presence and participation. In spite of the threatening heavy rains, there was a good turnout of elders.
For volunteering for the Special Concerns Committee contact Evelyn at 98402 98193 email: evelynmercylin85@gmail.com
Mr Prince Edwin, Mr Titus Koilpillai (left) and Mr D K Vedanayagam (right) singing praise songs.
Mr. Dushyant Thomas delivering the message.
METHODIST MEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The Annanagar Methodist Men’s Fellowship (MMF) is a great place to experience God’s love and fellowship with people in the church. It is an opportunity in a smaller setting to build meaningful deeper relationships while focusing on practical Christian living relevant to challenges faced by men in their daily lives. The MMF group consists of people from various walks of life such as businessmen, corporate leaders, spiritual leaders, musicians, people with specialized experiences.
In addition to a regular monthly fellowship every 2nd Saturday of the month at 7.30 am, the men also participate in various activities such as;
- Leading worship
- Sunrise fellowship at the beach
- Weekend and one day retreats
- Outdoor sports or physical activities
- Outreach ministry
Eligibility: Men above the age of 25 years
How to participate: Contact any member of the MMF committee or just reach out to the church office
