Salvation Army Men....tell me about your "men's group / study" at your Corps.

Greetings Soldiers!

In the United States, National Headquarters makes us use the inappropriate term "Man Up" for the name of the "men's fellowship" in The Salvation Army.

This term I don't like, and I use it ONLY because that is what Headquarters says we are to use. This term is belittling, used mostly by women in a not so flattering way, and it assumes that men in His army have to man up; and that our sisters are prepared by just 'showing up" to the Corps; which we all know isn't the case.

Let's hear what you have to say, and tell me what you do during your "Man Up" (ugh) studies

I will begin. Our Corps has a local ARC nearby with about 95 men, 20 women and we also have "Gabelcrest" a transitional home for women who have completed the ARC program and work to get their children back from CPS in a "homelike" situation.

Usually on Monday nights our "Man Up" group meets at the ARC. We have fellowship with the second-phase men at the ARC. Sometimes there is a video, sometimes just general discussion of a topic. Occasionally we have just prayer. I do find the conversations, and instruction helpful; but we don't have "activities" for us. We are ministering mostly to men in the ARC program. I have been a soldier for four years now, and we never have had an activity out (dinner, golf, football game). I don't mind helping, prayer, and instruction but I still don't "know" my fellow soldiers who DO come to Man Up. Many men in my Corps don't want to go to "Man Up" because they say "it's just another Bible study class" and "we never do anything fun, we're helping the ARC guys....and I am having problems at home."

We also have many Spanish speaking only soldiers, and they won't come unless we have a translator (and at times, it is very difficult to have a lesson with every few seconds, having it translated into Spanish).

My take? We are a Salvation Army. We have to serve, and help...and no, I don't like everything about our "Man Up" program but what can I do? I go because duty as a Soldier requires it mostly, and sometimes the lesson is exceptional....but like many Corps, the men who are involved don't ever really know their fellow brothers; we're always serving, helping, working and running the Corps.

Not being negative here. Pointing out facts. Does any other Salvationist man have this issue? What do you do at your Corps for "Man Up"?

In Truth!