Supporting A Brother's Victory

By John Dowell

At a competitive event such as a  track and field meet or a spelling bee, it isn't difficult to recognize the  families of the individual participants. They are huddled together living each  victory or defeat. Their emotions mirror what's happening on the field or the  stage. They are as engaged in the competition as their loved ones. Often, the  parents take as much, if not more joy in the victories of their children than  they do in their own.
        Isn't that as it should be? Isn't that the  design of the family of God? Isn't that what God intends for His children?  Isn't that what Paul tells us?
And  if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, if one member is  honored, all the members rejoice with it. (I Corinthians 12:6)
        This is God's design for  the church and therefore His design for small groups, which includes  the United Methodist Men.
        I see this frequently happening  with UMM fellowships where members have, in many cases become closer than blood  brothers by friendships developed over many years.
        To illustrate this, the five jurisdictional  presidents and I participate in monthly conference calls to share problems and to  discuss pressing issues. This hour or so has provides quality time for all  of us.
        Over the months, personal  concerns have surfaced. One member and his wife had simultaneous health  problems. The father of a president suddenly passed away. And one member  experienced  difficult issues in his  local church. 
        In each case—even though the  group was spread across the country—the men came together through e-mail and  phone calls to support the distressed brother with prayers, encouragement and  yes, sympathy.
        The support these men shared is  no different than family members huddled together cheering on a son or  daughter on the field of competition.
        This is what the church and  men's ministry urgently needs today—men who are in tune with the heart of God,  who take great joy when a brother achieves a victory and who support him when  he is disappointed or injured.
        We can do this can't we?
        Peace and Joy.

John Dowell, president
National Association of Conference Presidents
of United Methodist Men
jdowellumm@aol.com