Preliminary Signup - Mentoring for Men

I am planning a life-changing event for me and eight men.  It will start September 2010 and will go for nine months.

The commitment:

• Mandatory attendance and participation in nine Monday night sessions (roughly once a month), three hours each with me at my home in Des Plaines, Illinois.
• Activities between sessions, including reading, writing and memorizing scripture
• Humility - being transparent and open to new and challenging teaching in your life.  Also being willing to share your triumphs and defeats in order to help others in the group.
• Final pot luck dinner session with spouses (Date and location TBA, Spring 2011)
• Being willing to "pay it forward," mentoring another group of men at some point when it is appropriate in your life.

I will select eight men based on the following schedule:

• Phase 1 - Gather email addresses from any interested in participating.  Giving me your email address does not commit you to the process or promise you a spot in the sessions.
• Phase 2 - Applications will be distributed by email in June 2010 with an invitation to apply.
• Phase 3 - Eight participants will be selected, invited and asked to agree to a list of commitments.  This will be completed by August 15, 2010.
• Phase 4 - Mentoring sessions begin September 2010.

The benefits of being involved:

• It's a finite commitment.  It won't last forever, so it is a more manageable commitment.
• We will all learn from each other in an open, transparent environment.  The ability to be honest and hold each other accountable will be invaluable.
• We will each be better husbands, fathers and church members.
• You will be better equipped and encouraged to "pass the torch," mentoring other men in the future.

If you are interested, make sure I get your name and email address by one of the following methods:

• Send me a Direct Message on Twitter.
• Email me
• Send me a Facebook message.  My screen name is Tom McComb

I am looking forward not only to meeting a new group of friends, but also to seeing what God will do among us as we pour our lives into each other.

Living Life in the Zone by Kyle Rote, Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

As a man, are you tired of the run-of-the-mill devotional book?

This “40-day Spiritual Game Plan for Men” takes you through 40 topics that are important to men: their wives, children, work, relationship with God and plans for the future.

Each day’s reading follows a reliable pattern, including an introduction, several scripture verses that address the day’s topic, and examples from sports, entertainment or politics of the day’s principle in action.  Then the reader is challenged with tough questions and a way to apply the truth to his life.

As a man, I found this steady pattern to be intriguing and helpful.  The introduction shows that the authors understand the issues facing men.  It doesn’t sugar-coat the issues – from struggles with mothers-in-law to holding friends accountable, “Living Life in The Zone” presents the real issues, demonstrating an understanding of the struggles and challenges involved in life.

It was refreshing to see the examples at the end of each chapter; some were good examples, some bad.  It was clear that you can learn from both positive and negative examples.

I recommend this well-written book to any man who wants to take the next spiritual step but doesn’t want the typical devotional.