The first meeting of the Men’s Fraternity in the 2015-16 school year began as usual, with volunteers brewing coffee in the early hours of the morning, and preparing for the 6 a.m. crowd to arrive. The men’s small group fellowship has reached over 200 Whitefield men since starting three years ago, who are all seeking to become stronger Christians, better husbands, and more effective fathers.
The basis of the program is a series called Authentic Manhood by Robert Lewis, which involves a short video-lesson each week followed by small group discussions. The program is broken into three separate courses, Wining at Work and Home, The Quest for Authentic Manhood (understanding the masculine identity), and The Great Adventure (life as an adventure). Mens Fraternity covers one course per year over the course of the school year.
Now in its fourth year, the program has expanded to include additional break-out Bible studies. The entire group meets together for fellowship and coffee, then those who have already completed the three-year cycle move to separate meeting rooms to join smaller Bible studies based on a book or video series of their choosing. Meanwhile, newcomers remain in the larger room and complete the Winning at Home and Work study, which is being repeated this year.
“The Bible studies are an outgrowth and expansion of the program," said Marcus Griffin, a Whitefield dad who coordinates the program along with Sam Chambliss. Griffin has two children at Whitefield and four of Chambliss’ children graduated from Whitefield.
“Two years ago, when we were wrapping up the year, some guys wanted to keep meeting during the summer,” said Griffin. “After summer passed, we continued to meet. This year we decided to meet concurrently with the Friday morning large group.”
“The relationships built through Men’s Fraternity have enabled men to have deep conversations and accountability with one another. Robert Lewis has a unique way of challenging men to be more intentional in how they define and carry out their roles as husband, father, spiritual leader and a member in the workforce,” said Griffin.
Since the beginning of the program three years ago, dads have become more and more involved in the Whitefield community. They are volunteering at school events, and attending the annual Lower School campout and Donut with Dads events in record numbers.
“Moms have remarked that at school gatherings, the dads seem to know more families than they do!” said Griffin. “I also know several dads who have made changes in their work schedules or jobs to have more flexibility to be home.”
The change in men’s priorities has not only been noticed by supervisors and wives, but by their children as well.
“I think the best quote I ever heard over the years of the program was when one dad's child told him ‘I’m not sure I like it when you go to that meeting on Fridays because when you come home you act more like mom,’” laughed Griffin.
“I take all these stories as a giant compliment because it makes Whitefield very unique to have such a high degree of parental involvement by dads.”
Men’s Fraternity meets every Friday at 6 a.m. in the Barnett Gathering Room.
The basis of the program is a series called Authentic Manhood by Robert Lewis, which involves a short video-lesson each week followed by small group discussions. The program is broken into three separate courses, Wining at Work and Home, The Quest for Authentic Manhood (understanding the masculine identity), and The Great Adventure (life as an adventure). Mens Fraternity covers one course per year over the course of the school year.
Now in its fourth year, the program has expanded to include additional break-out Bible studies. The entire group meets together for fellowship and coffee, then those who have already completed the three-year cycle move to separate meeting rooms to join smaller Bible studies based on a book or video series of their choosing. Meanwhile, newcomers remain in the larger room and complete the Winning at Home and Work study, which is being repeated this year.
“The Bible studies are an outgrowth and expansion of the program," said Marcus Griffin, a Whitefield dad who coordinates the program along with Sam Chambliss. Griffin has two children at Whitefield and four of Chambliss’ children graduated from Whitefield.
“Two years ago, when we were wrapping up the year, some guys wanted to keep meeting during the summer,” said Griffin. “After summer passed, we continued to meet. This year we decided to meet concurrently with the Friday morning large group.”
“The relationships built through Men’s Fraternity have enabled men to have deep conversations and accountability with one another. Robert Lewis has a unique way of challenging men to be more intentional in how they define and carry out their roles as husband, father, spiritual leader and a member in the workforce,” said Griffin.
Since the beginning of the program three years ago, dads have become more and more involved in the Whitefield community. They are volunteering at school events, and attending the annual Lower School campout and Donut with Dads events in record numbers.
“Moms have remarked that at school gatherings, the dads seem to know more families than they do!” said Griffin. “I also know several dads who have made changes in their work schedules or jobs to have more flexibility to be home.”
The change in men’s priorities has not only been noticed by supervisors and wives, but by their children as well.
“I think the best quote I ever heard over the years of the program was when one dad's child told him ‘I’m not sure I like it when you go to that meeting on Fridays because when you come home you act more like mom,’” laughed Griffin.
“I take all these stories as a giant compliment because it makes Whitefield very unique to have such a high degree of parental involvement by dads.”
Men’s Fraternity meets every Friday at 6 a.m. in the Barnett Gathering Room.