Spiritual Fathers By cover art

Spiritual Fathers

By: Man in the Mirror
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  • Summary

  • Encouraging, educating, and empowering mature Christian men with a roadmap to give younger generations hope and direction.
    © 2024 Man in the Mirror
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Episodes
  • Chuck Stecker - If You Passed Your Baton...Take It Back! Ep. #4

    Chuck Stecker - If You Passed Your Baton...Take It Back! Ep. #4
    Jun 26 2024
    Rev. Chuck Stecker is the Executive Director and Founder of A Chosen Generation. He’s an ordained minister of the Gospel with the Evangelical Church Alliance and has earned a Doctorate of Ministry specializing in Christian Leadership. And he is passionate about making sure the encore generation realizes the impact they can still have. In today’s conversation, Chuck shares why it’s time to “take the baton back” and embrace the mission that you still have left because it’s never too late to make an impact. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Learn more about Chuck Stecker and his family [1:20]The letter my dad wrote me the day I graduated [5:04] If You Passed Your Baton...Take It Back! [10:10] The three barriers we have to overcome [17:50] Reinvigorating the encore generation [27:00] Cross-generational, Multi-generational, vs intergenerational [34:26]A lightning round with Chuck Stecker [41:40] If You Passed Your Baton...Take It Back!Churches place much of their attention and emphasis on reaching the younger generation but not enough on the generation with the greatest availability. Chuck points out that we’ve confused the baton of engagement with the mantle of leadership. But when a runner passes a baton, they stop running. They immediately get off the track and stay out of the race. Passing the baton signifies that you’re done. But it’s not time to stop—it’s time to refire. Everything in your life has prepared you for this moment of greatness. Chuck isn’t wrong when he says, “This is your time of potential greatest ministry and impact in the kingdom that you’ve ever had.”The three barriers we have to overcomeMen often tell us that they aren’t connected with a lot of younger men and if they are, they aren’t sure they’d want their input or wisdom. But the younger generation is hungry for older men to speak into their lives. Their hangup is that they don’t think they’re worthy enough. So how do you bridge the gap? You have to make yourself available to them. It can be as simple as telling them, “I’m always free for a cup of coffee.” Sometimes it’s just a quick conversation that turns into something more.Another common roadblock is the thought that “You don’t have the time.” But the truth is, when someone says “I don’t have the time,” something prevents them from making the time. You make time for what you feel is important. It’s usually never a time issue. Instead, they likely feel unqualified or disqualified. Making mistakes doesn’t disqualify you from being a Spiritual Father. It can be one of the things that makes a younger man more likely to connect with you. Learning from your mistakes can help save them from making the same ones. Cross-generational, vs multi-generational, and inter-generationalWhat’s the difference between a cross-generational, multi-generational, and intergenerational approach? Why does it matter? Cross-generational: This typically refers to marketing across cross-generational lines to maintain market share in the next generation. A company that doesn’t do this will lose business. Multi-generational: A multi-generational approach is taking a center-stage focus (football, baseball, church, etc.). It’s about getting butts in the seat. The goal is to draw people from multiple generations. But sitting next to each other doesn’t build relationships. Intergenerational: An intergenerational focus is about coming together to do life together so both entities grow together. It’s about bringing all generations together because they need each other. Being a Spiritual Father is about taking an intergenerational approach. We have to be engaged in the process and living what we’re telling other people. Are you ready to take back your baton? Resources & People MentionedState of the ChurchIn the Name of Jesus by Henri NouwenThe Other Half of Church by Jim WilderLeadership as an Identity by Crawford LorittsConnect with Chuck SteckerA Chosen GenerationConnect on LinkedInFriend on FacebookConnect With Spiritual FathersThe Spiritual Fathers websiteSpiritualFathers(at)ManInTheMirror.com Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    48 mins
  • Jeremy Schurke - Why Young Men need a Spiritual Father Ep #3

    Jeremy Schurke - Why Young Men need a Spiritual Father Ep #3
    May 29 2024
    Jeremy Schurke is the Director of Mirror Labs. We launched the Spiritual Fathers initiative because of the research he’s done. In this episode of Spiritual Fathers, Jeremy touches on some of that research to drive home the point that we need more Spiritual Fathers. And it doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. All you need is experience, a willingness to be open and vulnerable, and a little bit of time. Learn the answer to “Why Spiritual Fathers?” in this great conversation. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... The spiritual influences in Jeremy’s life [1:13]Learn more about Jeremy’s family [5:45] The cultural conversation around the church [6:31] The launching of Mirror Labs [11:07] Key resources in the area [19:30] Am I qualified to be a Spiritual Father? [21:24] Is it too much of a time commitment? [27:42] The latest research and newest initiatives [30:22] The best and worst spiritual advice Jeremy has received [33:12] What Jeremy’s perfect day looks like [35:21] The golden years of discipleship [36:04] The cultural conversation around the church Jeremy became a Christian in college. After traveling and working with a college ministry, he moved to Haiti to open an orphanage. He toured colleges raising money and awareness for Haiti. He then helped a friend plant a church in the inner city of Jacksonville, FL. He worked on that project for six years, during which he went to seminary. Jeremy and his family moved back to Orlando in 2018. Jeremy’s learned that he prefers to be in the middle of the greatest need. It became obvious that the city he left in 2008 was much different. In 2008, there was a spiritual revival happening. He was part of the fastest-growing church in the Southeast US. But in 2018, it was a spiritual ghost town. There was a mass exodus from the church and no one had a good answer as to why. Something was off, and Jeremy wanted answers. That’s when he became involved in Mirror Labs. The launching of Mirror Labs As he dove into research, Jeremy saw the struggles and challenges young men were facing. Man in the Mirror wanted to study and understand those challenges to find a way to best serve them. Jeremy got free reign to talk with anthropologists, sociologists, and social scientists. He launched focus groups while connecting with other organizations researching the church and Christian landscape. He learned something simple: The gospel is a timeless truth but the application must always be timely. Ultimately, if you don’t change the application, your message won’t pierce the culture. What surprised Jeremy the most? Research indicated that there was a mass exodus from the church that accelerated after Covid. The hypothesis was that young people were leaving the church because of cultural wars (LGBTQ, race, etc.). But it was more about relational emptiness. Young guys are struggling with loneliness. They weren’t building great relationships at the church—so why would they stay there? Even more glaring, many didn’t have an older man in their life as a mentor or guide, yet everyone surveyed wanted those relationships. The question became, how do they address this big need? Building a network of more Spiritual Fathers was one solution. Why become a Spiritual Father? Most young men don’t know where to find a spiritual father. They know plenty of older men but they’re not finding what they’re seeking. They want someone who isn’t resigned to life. They want someone still striving and engaged—someone they’d like to become. It isn’t about being rich and successful. Younger men want to learn from the guys who have gone through the valleys and come out on the other side. You’re the ones who have the perspective that young people want and need. The struggles and challenges are often more important than the successes and victories. We all learn more from our mistakes than our successes because we grow and learn from them. Secondly, young people struggle to trust someone who’s never made a mistake. They want to know that there's something more to keep walking in faith toward. Jeremy tackles other common questions about becoming a Spiritual Father—including why it’s so necessary, now more than ever—in this engaging conversation. Resources & People Mentioned The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are GoingThe New Copernicans: Millennials and the Survival of the ChurchFour Thousand Weeks: Time Management for MortalsNonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America Connect with Jeremy Schurke Connect on LinkedInMan in the Mirror Connect With Spiritual Fathers The Spiritual Fathers websiteSpiritualFathers(at)ManInTheMirror.com Subscribe to SHOW NAME Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    40 mins
  • Becoming A Spiritual Father - Episode #2

    Becoming A Spiritual Father - Episode #2
    Apr 24 2024
    John Woodall became a Christian when he was 14. He and his family were living a great life in London, England. John had planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and return to the States to attend business school. But after a deep conversation with his dad, John enrolled in a Bible college in Florida. He was so blown away by what he’d learned that he called his father and told him he wanted to stay another year. John knew he wanted to serve people. It put him on the path toward ministry where he’s been for the last 50 years. John is also my Spiritual Father. In this conversation, we dive into why John chose to invest his time into mentorship, how someone can get started being a mentor, and why our failures may be a more important testimony than our successes. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:26] The foundational years of John’s life[4:09] What led John into a life of ministry[7:34] Why John invested in younger men[12:18] Why it’s important to ask the right questions [20:34] How John chooses who to mentor[25:17] Where do you start? [33:17] Why mentorship is important[38:07] Pursuing Jesus through suffering [42:19] The lightning round How John chooses who to mentor You have to start somewhere simple: You have to like the person you mentor. John needs to enjoy spending time with them. Secondly, he points out that you can sense those men who are hungry to grow. John can see when they want to be conformed into the image of Christ. He doesn’t have time for men who aren’t interested in being a better man, husband, and father. If you want to become a mentor, pray without ceasing. Ask God of your desire to minister to another man. Scroll through your contacts and make a list. What younger men do you know? Where do you start? There’s a deep, dark, and evil force in this world. God is light and love. The devil is full of hate and darkness. Don’t be unaware that the accuser—the voice of the butcher—will whisper, “You are not qualified.” Secondly, you don’t have to mentor from your successes. No one has it all figured out. You have to mentor from a place of experience. John firmly believes that some of your best mentoring lessons stem from your failures and your weaknesses. If a man is going to bond with you, they bond over mistakes, failures, and brokenness. It’s through brokenness most men find Jesus. You will mentor out of the power of God in you. When you mentor from your story, and what God has taught from you from your story, you have more than enough to be a spiritual father to another man. Younger men are open to being authentic and honest. They need a place and space to talk openly. Why mentorship is important Attend a service, serve somewhere, get in a small group, and give toward kingdom work. That’s what every good church teaches its members that they must do. But something is missing. We didn’t realize our greatest spiritual growth from that model. For John and I, spiritual growth came from mentoring, discipleship, and counseling. It was the personal attention from someone more mature in their faith who could speak into our lives. The Bible says that the mission of God in every God’s life is to be confirmed to the image of Jesus. It’s the process of sanctification—becoming more and more like the image of Jesus. Being in close proximity to Godly men is important. You’re living your faith together. John wants to make sure that your most influential season of life can be in your 60s and 70s. You aren’t done yet. John is more free and excited about bearing fruit in his last decade of life than his first 70. Resources & People Mentioned The Masculine Journey7 Questions that Rattle in the Minds of Most MenBeside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul Connect with John Woodall Follow on Twitter Connect With Spiritual Fathers The Spiritual Fathers websiteMan in the Mirror MinistriesMan in the Mirror on InstagramSpiritualFathers(at)ManInTheMirror.com Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    49 mins
Personal Success Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
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