The ManDown Podcast

Mature Men Lead through Sacrifice

In this episode Colby Garman, Bobby Gomez, and Ryan Sturgis discuss the final section of our ManDown Ethos for this season focusing on Leadership through Sacrifice. In addition to exploring the Scriptures they talk about some of the things that look like sacrificial leadership that are really bargaining traps. They also spend some time talking about how genuine love is the basis for genuine sacrifices to be made.  MATURE MEN LEAD THROUGH SACRIFICE Effective and godly leadership in a world under the effects of sin is always costly and requires sacrifice. As men we reject leadership that gathers people together to serve our self-interest and we seek to leverage our influence for God’s glory and the good of others. Like Christ, we embrace the experience of laying down our lives for the sake of others. We see this worked out in a number of practical ways. We practice self-denial and avoid using positions of authority to promote our own self-interest. We exercise patience with those who disagree with us and act in their best interest even when opposed.  We  endure the hardship that comes with assuming the risk of leadership where we are often called to go first in difficult things so that others can follow with confidence.  When we are wrong we take ownership and when our families and organizations succeed we gladly share the credit. Through sacrificial leadership we provide the safety and security for others to build their lives around even when things are difficult. Ultimately we recognize that authority is given to order the lives of those under it in ways that will allow them to flourish under God’s purposes and plan. As we lead in the pattern of the cross, we look to Christ by faith knowing that our labor is not in vain as we align ourselves with the cornerstone of God’s work.   1 John 3:16. [16] By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (ESV)

Mature Men Practice Spiritual Disciplines

In this Episode we focus on the statement from our ManDown Ethos that is focused on spiritual disciplines. Colby Garman and Bobby Gomez talk about the important gospel framework the supports a healthy engagement in spiritual disciplines and explore the different ways spiritual disciplines can help us grow toward loving God and Loving our neighbor. You can read the section of the Ethos we focus on in this episode below: MATURE MEN PRACTICE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES  As men we take responsibility for engaging in the exercises of body, mind, and soul, that have benefitted Christians of the past in their spiritual growth. We value the practices of daily Bible reading, prayer, generous giving, uncelebrated service to others, quiet meditation on the Word, confession of sin, prioritizing congregational worship on the Lord’s Day, and other practices that deepen our experience of God and His grace. We seek to learn the well-worn paths of past saints that nourish the soul and help us commune with God. We don’t practice these spiritual disciplines from a desire to gain God’s approval or be seen by others.  We engage in them so that through them we might open our hearts to ongoing experiences that will form us in our inward affections toward God and man. We recognize that a lack of practice in spiritual disciplines cuts us off from ongoing opportunities to commune with God as He graciously meets us in spiritual practices and transforms us by His grace. Although we do not consider spiritual disciplines to be the only means of growth, we embrace their value to train us in godliness.   1 Timothy 4:7–10. [7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (ESV)

Mature Men Walk With Others

In this episode we are talking with Tim Speace about The ManDown Ethos and focused on "Mature Men Walk With Others". We discuss some of the barriers men face to genuine friendship and what is at stake in deepening our relationships with one another. Read the Ethos statement below and join us for the conversation:  MATURE MEN WALK WITH OTHERS Men thrive in communities of mutual faith, values and support. Together as men we will not live our lives in isolation, but embrace practices of genuine fellowship and friendship. We will seek to allot the necessary time for our lives to be open and visible to other men who can sharpen us and speak into our lives with genuine insight. We will also seek to provide the same advantage of godly counsel and wisdom to others from a place of genuine support and friendship. We believe that through a community of genuine relationship we will have the courage to pursue dreams and callings given by God that far exceed what we could do alone. As a matter of joyful conviction we find it valuable to walk together in every season, experiencing moments of high importance, difficult burdens,  and light-hearted fun. We recognize that many men in our society and workplaces need us to take the initiative to provide a meaningful community that welcomes them into the experiences of healthy masculinity. In our present cultural moment, this task is of heightened importance, as many men have been left without models of godliness as they enter their careers, become husbands, and raise children. We believe this is an opportunity that God has given us to make an impact beyond our individual circle of influence.   Ecclesiastes 4:9–12. [9] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! [11] Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? [12] And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (ESV)

Mature Men Live on Mission - Bonus Session

In this special episode we dive deeper into the connection between leaning into God's mission and the growth of our faith. Tim Long joins us as we talk about stepping into moments of faith, leading your family on mission, and principles for getting started.

Mature Men Live On Mission

In this episode we talk about our Ethos Statement, Mature Men Live On Mission. We invited Cody Davis and Noah Clifton to join us and talk about what they saw growing up in the early days of Pillar Church in the lives of everyday people who committed themselves to the work of advancing the gospel together. As we talk we share some answers to the question, What does it actually look like to live on mission in our everyday lives? MATURE MEN LIVE ON MISSION  There are many valuable, noble, and worthwhile pursuits for men to engage in throughout their lives. As Christian men who follow Jesus we recognize the priority of Jesus calling for each of us to follow Him in His mission to proclaim the gospel to all nations. From where we live to the ends of the earth we will consider it our corporate and individual mission to engage in the advance of the gospel. In doing so we seek to leverage our gifts and skills to serve our community and partner with gospel advancing church plants around the world. We believe these natural gifts, skills, and abilities are gifts from God that can be leveraged in unique ways in different contexts and we are ready to offer them to the Lord for His service. We not only seek to respond to the opportunities God brings our way but consider it our responsibility to strategize together how we can take ground for God’s Kingdom in the world through active mission.    Ephesians 2:10. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)