Live blogging the Mighty Men of God 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:23AM 
If you're interested to see some of what is taking place in Greytown at the Mighty Men of God weekend I'll try to post pictures and short videos. Please check the following URL's
http://www.twitter.com/digitaldion
http://www.friendfeed.com/digitaldion
And for video http://www.qik.com/digitaldion or http://digitaldion.tumblr.com
With over 400 thousand men cell phone access to the Internet is not always that reliable, but I'll try to post tweets, pictures and videos as I'm able.
For the geeks, I'm using an iPhone 3GS with echofon for tweets, qik for video and the tumblr app for other updates.
A video of the worship below
Be blessed today wherever you are! I'd love to hear any comments and feedback on the comments link below.
Dion
Final reflection on day 3 below.
I'll try to find some time tomorrow to post a decent reflection with some more photos and thoughts.
I cam simply say that it was a worthwhile weekend for me and the guys that went with us. I was truly blessed by the many men who were together - it was particularly encouraging that there were men of all different ages, races and theological perspectives together. The challenge was simple and clear - men need to take up this responsibility in society. I don't believe that this is a challenge to the role of persons who are not Christian, or a responsibilty that excludes any Christian grouping, or women (as some in the media have reported). Rather, it was a simple challenge to men to work for social transformation, racial reconciliation, responsibility in their families.
Reader Comments (6)
Looks fabulous! My boyfriend really wanted to go, yet he couldn't make it. God bless.
I don't want to be negative but for a country with a 10% caucasian population the attendance is rather pale in colour.
I am sure God worked in wonderful way to bring new hope to the hearts of all those who were part of Mighty Men of God and to send them out to bring new kingdom leadership to their families and communities. But it will also of reinforced the world's story of separateness on the basis colour. As followers of Christ we need to disrupting this story, Christ's church needs to be taking the lead just like Mary did when she poured perfumed oil on the feet of Jesus to the outrage of the disciples. The church needs to be outrageous in its disruption of the world's story of separation on the basis of colour.
I recently read Mirror to the Church by Emmanuel Katangole which explores the church's complicity (should it be involvement) in the Rwanda genocide and how this was built on an acceptance of the world's story of separation on the basis of height; and applies the insight to the church as whole, particularly the North American and European churches where we do largely go along with the world's story of division that is used to justify so much inequality, hatred and hurt.
Please don't think I'm picking on South Africa, we the church are no better anywhere else at combating separation stories. I remember a conference in Manchester, UK in 2008 attended by many white Methodists and a significant minority from predominantly black churches planted by Nigerians, the two groups simply didn't mix at all.
The problem for South Africa is that you are the fulcrum, this is where the world's story of separation was strongest and this is where the church needs to disrupt this story and it needs Might Men of God to do that.
I have deliberately avoided mention of race here. Simply because for me the term itself is part of the world's story of separation. The world doesn't ask people to have their genes mapped and then designate them according to their genetic make up. This isn't a separation by race its much more trivial than that, is on colour/appearance. Studies in the USA have shown how little connection there is between colour and racial background with many black people with predominantly caucasian genes and many white people with predominantly negro genes.
What if christian conferences insisted on 90% black speakers. What if white ministers were allocated to black churches. What if white churches generously partnered with black churches sharing their wealth in terms of money, experience, time and effort equitably.
I know its easy to talk but hard to do, that is what Might Men of God are for!
Hi Simon,
Thanks so much for posting your comment! I appreciate the honesty, and concern, that it contains!
With regards to the comment itself I think your observation is accurate. This was an unrepresentative gathering! The participants were overwhelmingly white (I would say that at most 10% of the participants were black, coloured or indian). Whilst this is better than previous years it is woefully obvious that the Mighty Men of God movement has struck a chord with a particular sector of the population.
Of course from my perspective I deconstruct that reality in various ways. First, I feel that the men who were there went because they needed something and so I am pleased that those who went chose to do so. My personal experience was positive, as was the experience of the guys that went with me. So, I would hope that it was largely the same for others. Your observation does of course say some things about MMC's message and approach (that it is so clearly appealing to white males, predominantly Afrikaans and middle class). But, it also says something about our country, as you point out above.
On Saturday afternoon I took a little 'walkabout' and ended up sitting with a group of guys from Durban - there were about 40 men from three generations in one 'camp site'. They were all family or closely related. They were also all black Zulu speaking men. They had heard about MMC and a few of them went in 2009, were so touched that they returned in 2010 with more of their family and friends. That is encouraging!
Of course I don't think that MMC is intended to be 'representative' (my assumption could be wrong!). I know uncle Angus through his partnership with GDOP and he is honest about what he can do and what he can't do (hence the decision to end MMC in 2010). It is not his intention, or his calling, to address everyone in South Africa. He knows that his person and message reaches a certain demographic and he always encourages others to do their best to reach the demographic with which they resonate. Of course he does try to reach beyond those persons that he knows well - I have been in more than one setting where I have heard him addressing his message to other groups than 'just the men'. But, I have also been in more than one setting where I have heard him encouraging others to reach their sphere of influence for Christ. One of the clearest examples of this was at the Turn2God event that we co-hosted in Pretoria. There we had politicians, women, men, younger, older, white, black etc., He challenged each of them to do their best within their sphere of influence... I think you get the idea. He knows what he can do, and expects others to do what they can do.
So, I think your observation is valid - a very pale, male, gathering indeed. But very significant for the pale males who were there.
My prayer is that we shall see many other gatherings of this nature that bring together people of different race, gender and age groups. Moreover, I do pray that at some point we shall have some movement, theme, or calling that will unite all of the separate groupings behind the Gospel imperative of radical social transformation. I share your desire to see a mighty transformation of South Africa (and not just a mighty men of God)! Cooperation, humilty, service and grace are key touchstones in the Gospel. I am always reminded of the words of Paul in Phil 2.1-8:
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Conspiring for Hope!
Being present at MMC2010, I can attest to the fact that, although there were some brothers of colour, they were far outnumbered by those of the caucasian persausion. I do not believe this is by design as the invitation to MMC is all inclusive. Yes, Angus speaks to a particular demographic - why is it then that although he preaches predominantly in English, a large portion of his audience is Afrikaans speaking. Also, Angus is fluent in Zulu and would have no problem relating to the "locals" of KZN. If we look at the Zionist Church gathering at Moria through Easter, I doubt if there was a "white" presence at all but nobody made an issue of that - lets all celebrate Jesus and His redeeming work where we feel most comfortable and stop creating divisions where there really are none. Praise the Lord!
I could not agree more (with Michael Wood), this was a free decision for all to come. I also cannot wait to see multitudes from all races, but the decision to attend rests with the individual, nobody was / ever will be stopped to come. Angus certainly wants all to come.
I am excited about SA's future, lets keep interceding for our nation, its leaders, be cautious about the negative media / e-mails etc etc and rather spread the message of hope.
GLORY TO GOD!!! South Africa for Jesus!!
Well said Michael and Leonard! I agree. In fact just this morning I was chatting with a cycling friend who was at the MMC. We were saying that it would have been great to see the 'reprasentivity' of all race groups climbing in years to come. However, I do respect uncle Angus a great deal for saying that this was the last MMC. It takes great courage and faithfulness to shut something like this down at the peak of the wave!
Let's hope that the 'regional' conferences find great support and have an equally great impact.
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks so much for commenting. I hope you guys are keeping your witness consistent!
Blessings,
Dion