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A Manhood
Ceremony
For those who have completed all seven sessions of The Quest for Authentic
Manhood, there is an eighth session, which explains the purpose of a Manhood
Ceremony. The Manhood Ceremony is available only for those who have completed
The Quest for Authentic Manhood, who want to make a deeper commitment to
Jesus Christ, who want to grow personally and spiritually with a small
group of peers, and who are ready to publicly affirm their desire to transition
from adolescence to adulthood. The Manhood Ceremony has been designed for
groups who are using The Quest for Authentic Manhood on an ongoing basis
and want to develop spiritual leaders within that group. Existing groups
(i.e., fraternities, athletic teams, or social groups) who are going through
the series on a one-time basis would probably not be interested in conducting
a Manhood Ceremony. As part of the ceremony the men make six commitments
that will help them live lives of authentic manhood:
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I commit to live with my SOUL bonded to the SPIRIT of God, my person reflecting
the image of God, and my life glorifying God.
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I commit to live by the Biblical definition of masculinity where I reject
passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and expect God's greater
reward.
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I commit to purity in relationships with women: sexual abstinence until
marriage and faithfulness in marriage.
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I commit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world through my
words and actions.
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I commit to seek out mentors in my life and commit to disciple other men
personally and spiritually.
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I commit to be a member of a group of peers who meet regularly to help
me process life both personally and spiritually.
Materials
The
Quest for Authentic Manhood VCR/CD series or 12-tape cassette series can
be ordered from Fellowship Bible Church during business hours at 1-501-224-7171.
If you are interested in also going through the ceremony, you should order
the ceremony information video before completing the fourth session (it
can be order through Integrated Resources, 1-800-729-4351). It is a separate
20-minute videotaped presentation by David English, founder of Generation
Sigma, that explains the philosophy of the Manhood Ceremony. A separate
booklet that describes the Manhood Ceremony is also included. A specially-designed
key chain can also be purchased as a remembrance gift for those completing
the Manhood Ceremony. (The key chain has the biblical definition of masculinity
inscribed on it. It can also be purchased through Integrated Resources
at 1-800-729-4351.) A personalized certificate can be obtained from your
regional facilitator or can be downloaded
from this webpage. Wallet size cards listing the six commitments of Generation
Sigma can also be downloaded. To download the
certificate or cards go to
http://www.generationsigma.com/hupomeno.html
Due
to the serious nature of the commitments represented by the certificate,
Generation Sigma asks that the certificates not be given to anyone who
has not gone through the Quest for Authentic Manhood and made the six commitments
at an appropriate ceremony.
For
further information about the Manhood Ceremony, please contact one of the
Regional
Facilitators.
Comments
about the Manhood Ceremony
"About
two weeks ago I was going through my papers and found the commitments that
I had made during the Manhood Ceremony. I read through them again and realized
how meaningful they are. I typed them up really neat and put them on the
mirror in my bathroom. God has used it already to remind me of my commitment
to disciple others and meet consistently with a group of peers."
James
- Wheaton College
"I
have realized my need to be more responsible in life. The Manhood Ceremony
has given me a defining point in my life to say, " That is when I became
a man." It is an experience that God has used to change my life."
Ryan
- Western Kentucky University
"Coming
to a point of covenant, of commitment, before God, in the ceremony, to
become an authentic man, has been a real turning point in my life."
John
- University of Southern California
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