METHODIST MEN’S WORK--ITS HERITAGE

The heritage of METHODIST MEN is a most glorious one. True, we mark our birthday as of 1942 when the very first charter was issued, but this is not the beginning. Over 200 long years ago there welled up within the heart of a man called John Wesley such a passion for the souls of men as the world had never seen before nor has been seen or felt since.

The roots of METHODIST MEN are buried deep down in the heart of Methodism and find their source in the life and work of the founder of this great church of ours.

Wesley’s first great work among men was wrought among a group of young men in Oxford University. There, these men, realizing the great need for Christian fellowship, banded together to form the Holy Church. The ultimate results of this little group are well known.

Some historians tell us that the society in Aldersgate Street, so famous in Methodist history, was a society of men; but that is debatable for the John Wesley film definitely shows women in the audience.

Wesley’s first efforts in which he concentrated chiefly upon men, were the societies and classes formed among Methodist Men in the ranks of the British army and navy. As early as 1738, we find organized work among the men of the military. How unusual to learn that organized men’s work in The Methodist Church has its roots in the armed forces of a nation rather than the church.

John Wesley was a great patriot. He exalted patriotism. In 1756, when England was threatened with invasion, he offered to raise Methodist volunteers in case they should be needed. He witnessed with pleasure many military exercises and he frequently preached to men in uniform. He wrote many tracts for service men. One of his reasons for preaching out of doors was that that was usually the only way he could effectively reach soldiers.

Wesley eagerly passed on this concern for the moral state of soldiers and sailors to his other preachers. In 1779, two men in Wesley’s West Street Chapel organized the Naval and Military Bible Society for supplying the men in service with pocket Bibles. This Bible Society, although no longer associated with Methodism, is still in active operation today, over 200 years later!

The effect of John Wesley’s work among the men of the British army was very remarkable. Time and time again, soldiers would spring to his defense when he would be attacked by mobs.

Brotherhoods as a definite organization, were the natural outgrowth of his work. Very early in his career, organized groups began to spring up among the men of the army. Those troops on duty in the Low Countries of Europe were probably the first to band together. Many of these men, when they returned home, instinctively turned to the ministry. It is a matter of historical record that many of Wesley’s earliest preachers were former soldiers. In 1769 a brotherhood group was formed at Gibraltar among the garrison there with the full knowledge and protection of Lord Cornwallis.

It is most interesting to know that in the old GENTLEMEN’S MAGAZINE a naval officer declared that at sea it was impossible to get efficient work out of the man without the use of profanity. He said,

“I never knew but one exception and that was extraordinary, I declare, believe me it is true, there were a group of men called Methodists on board the VICTORY, Lord Nelson’s ship, and these men never wanted swearing at. They were the best seamen on board. Every man knew his duty. Every man did his duty. They used to meet together and sing hymns, and nobody dared to molest them. The commander would not have suffered it, even if they had attempted it. They were allowed a mess to themselves. I have often heard them singing away myself. And, incredible as it sounds, not one of them was either killed or wounded at the battle of Trafalgar, though they did their duty as well as any man. Not one of them was even hurt. These are the only seamen that I ever knew to do their duty without swearing, and I will do them the justice to say that they do it.”

In almost the same sentiment, a colonel in the army said to Wesley on one occasion: “No men fight like those who fear God; I had rather command 500 such men than any regiment in his Majesty’s army.” What a tribute to our very earliest Methodist Men.

In the United States, work among the men of The Methodist Church began with the formation of various independent societies from 1875 to the turn of the century. As these independent groups grew, they took a page from the organizations already established in other Protestant denominations and formed themselves into the earliest forerunning of present-day METHODIST MEN. This organization was known as the BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT PAUL. It was established in 1894 and held what was probably the first National Conference of Methodist Men in 1898.

About the same time that the Brotherhood of Saint Paul came into being, another organization was taking shape. This was known as the MIZPAH BROTHERHOOD. After undergoing several re-organizations with several changes in name, it finally formed itself into a group called the Wesley Brotherhood--not the group that later used this same name.

In 1907, a convention was held and the union of the Brotherhood of St. Paul and the Wesley Brotherhood became a fact. The new group took on the name of THE METHODIST BROTHERHOOD, an organization that continued on down through the years until unification. One of the highlights of this program was its outstanding slogan:

A MILLION METHODIST MEN MAKING THE MIND OF THE MASTER THEIR MAIN MOTIVE AND MISSION.

Surprisingly enough, this organization fostered a separate society for boys which was called the KNIGHTS OF METHODISM.

In 1924 we find the organization of the WESLEY BROTHERHOODS in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which carried on its strong program under the watchful eye and the consecrated leadership of that godly gentlemen, Dr. George L. Morelock. The ranks of leader- ship in the Brotherhood movement were proud to list the names and services of such men as Edgar Welch, founder of the Welch Grape Juice Company and Branch Rickey who has had a long association with big league baseball.

One other notable event took place within the program of men’s work. As early as 1928, a meeting was held in the Brown Hotel in Louisville to lay plans for the possible unification of the program of men’s work in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Joint Committee on Men’s Work was the result. Ten years later when unification was imminent, probably the first act to bring the three churches together in any phase of their work, was a meeting of all the leaders of men’s work. Here, Lay Activities became a vital part of the picture, coming to us by way of Dr. Morelock and the program then in effect in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Among the men who were at this historic meeting were Dow Bancroft, Edgar Welch, Harry Denman, Jamie Houston, George Morelock, Ray Nichols and J. M. Sullivan. When the Uniting Conference was held, all legislation regarding men’s work was ready. Through Dr. Morelock’s influence, the program of Lay Activities was lifted out of the former Methodist Episcopal Church, South and made an integral part of the United Church. Men’s work was made a part of the program of Lay Activities, where it has been ever since.

The very first General Conference of the Methodist Church, held in Atlantic City in 1940, set up the General Board of Lay Activities and established its headquarters in Chicago. Edgar Welch became the first President and Ray Nichols its first vice-president. Dr. Morelock was named Executive Secretary and Dow Bancroft its first Associate Secretary. It took two years to launch a program of men’s work, but this was achieved in 1942. Authority to grant charters was given and in the week ending September 29, 1942, 6 charters were granted. Three of these original 6 are alive and active today.

The name METHODIST MEN was adopted in 1942, along with the present objectives, purposes, and program. What has happened since then is a matter of historical record. In less than 13 years, METHODIST MEN grew to a point where more than 10,400 chartered groups were operating in The Methodist Church. The movement has spread far beyond the borders of the United States and we now include within our fellowship chartered chapters in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Chile, Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska and Liberia. Correspondence has been exchanged with men in Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Germany.

EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN MEN’S WORK--ITS HERITAGE

1. The Otterbein Brotherhood

The men’s movement in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ began about 75 years ago. In 1909 the Board of Control elected a national director of the movement in the person of the Reverend Warren L. Bunger. He continued for only about a year, after which the movement was without leadership until 1913 when Dr. C. W. Brewbaker was elected General Secretary of Sunday School and Brotherhood Work. Through the work of Mr. Bunger and Dr. Brewbaker, the Brotherhood movement flourished in the church and many organizations came into being. Some of these organizations are still in existence and have carried on their work throughout the years.

About this time the Men’s Bible Class, with separate opening exercises, was flourishing in many Sunday Schools. This seemed to serve the purpose of the Brotherhood for awhile. However, the plan of having men’s meetings on Sunday morning during the Sunday School hour with opening exercises, gradually lost favor because they seemed to compete with the Sunday morning preaching service. Then mixed classes as part of a total adult department grew in favor and separate men’s work was retarded for a time.

In the meantime, the Laymen’s Association of the United Brethren Church came into existence and showed the possibilities of an organization in which laymen gave the leadership. These organizations were Conference-wide and accomplished great results for good.

When on June 25, 1929, the Reverend M. I. Weber was elected Adult Director of Christian Education, he assumed the responsibility of Brotherhood work, and under his dynamic leadership the Brotherhood flourished for nearly five years. His untimely death seemed to call a halt of the forward moving program of the Brotherhood. Ten years went by before anyone was chosen to take up the work where he had laid it down.

At a General Conference held at South Bend, Indiana, in 1941, a new Otterbein Brotherhood organization was authorized and effected. This organization was for United Brethren men. All of its officers were laymen. The new organization provided not only a national Brotherhood, but Annual Conference Brotherhoods. Under the direction of the Executive Committee, made up of laymen (except Dr. O. T. Deever, who was Executive Secretary of Christian Education), the Brotherhood movement made rapid progress.

In June of 1943, Dr. W. R. Montgomery, then pastor of the Brookside United Brethren Church in Indianapolis. Indiana, was called to give full time-leadership to the Brotherhood and Adult Work. The Board of Christian Education chose to name the Director of the Adult Department, the Director of Brotherhood and Adult Work. Thus a new emphasis was to be given to the organization of the men of the United Brethren Church.

2. The Albright Brotherhood

While for some years a number of unrelated men’s organizations of various types were found in local congregations of the Evangelical Church and while the General Board of Religious Education did have membership in the Interdenominational Council on Men’s Work, the rise of the present denomination-wide Council on Men’s Work, the rise of the present denomination-wide Albright Brotherhood is to be traced to the 30th session of the General Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1930. The General Secretary of Religious, Dr. E. W. Praetorious, in his report, called attention to the new and vital interest that was being taken in men’s work in general and that the Brotherhood work in the various denominations had received a new impetus and was showing signs of life and vigorous growth. He pointed out that vast possibilities were stored up in the manpower of the church, which, if released, would mightily stir things within the Kingdom and that the Evangelical Church could profit by promoting, with greater earnestness and zeal, the men’s work of the church through men’s classes and Brotherhoods.

In connection with this report, the General Secretary submitted a proposed Constitution for the guidance of local Brotherhoods, but the only thing that was done about the Brotherhood at this session of the General Conference was the adoption of the following resolution by the laymen attending the General Conference:

“Resolved, That we sponsor the formation in each of our Churches and Annual Conferences of Men’s Leagues, Classes, Clubs, Lay Chapters or Brotherhoods, whichever seem best in their appeal to meet the local situation, whose aims and objects, however, shall be in accordance with the Constitution provided in the Quadrennial Report of the Board of Religious Education.”

Shortly after that session of the General Conference, a Brotherhood movement (without announcement or promotion) burst in upon the Evangelical Church. Brotherhoods were being formed in local congregations in many parts of the church and many calls continued to come for assistance in organizing and promoting the work of the Brotherhood. The General Board of Religious Education in 1931 crystallized this movement by creating the Albright Brotherhood of the Evangelical Church. The Board requested the officers elected by the laymen during and for the session of the General Conference held in Milwaukee, to serve as officers of the newly created General Albright Brotherhood. With the aid of these officers, the Board of Religious Education prepared Constitutions for the General, the Annual Conference, the District, and the local Brotherhoods, adopted an emblem, prepared a charter, and provided suggested monthly programs for the Brotherhood.

3. The Brotherhood of the Evangelical United Brethren Church

At the General Conference held at Johnstown, Pennsylvania (November, 1946), when the former Evangelical Church and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ united, thus forming the Evangelical United Brethren Church, a convention of the lay and ministerial delegates of the Uniting General Conference was called, and the Otterbein Brotherhood and the Albright Brotherhood were merged into a Brotherhood to be known in The Evangelical United Brethren Church as the Brotherhood of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Brotherhood then is the successor to the Brotherhoods of these two churches and as such, carried on the objectives and traditions of the Brotherhoods of these churches.

The first Convention of the Brotherhood of The Evangelical United Brethren Church was held at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1946, during the uniting General Conference.

4. Evangelical United Brethren Men

The new name for our men’s work program did not come by chance, but by long, hard process. It was not easy for the church to give up the name Brotherhood. The Albright Brotherhood and the Otterbein Brotherhood were significant names. They represented important experiences and lasting contributions to the total church program. When these two organizations merged in November of 1946, to form the Brotherhood of The Evangelical United Brethren Church, care was taken to preserve the values and the traditions of both former Brotherhoods.

With the growing concept of men’s work which gives it status as a total program for all of the men of the church, a General Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in November of 1954, changed the name of the men’s work program from the Brotherhood to Evangelical United Brethren Men.

The change in name came inevitably. The word Brotherhood, meaning as it is, was not big enough for the growing concept of men’s work in the church. It was also in line with what was being done in other communions as they faced the problem of relating every man in the church to the total church program.

Our own Constitution points out the fact that the men’s work program embraces all men of the church who are above 16 years of age. The new name, Evangelical United Brethren Men, simply recognizes that relationship and indicates that every man in the church should be a participating member of the men’s work program. At the same time, Evangelical United Brethren Men does not take the place of any on-going program in which men are engaged. It becomes the comprehensive program for all men. It calls for a unified program so that the Men’s Class, the Brotherhood Class, the Usher’s League, and other men’s groups, are activities of Evangelical United Brethren Men.

Evangelical United Brethren Men, as the successor to The Brotherhood, moved out into a day in which there is a revival of the “Priesthood of Believers.” In the spirit of Bishops Albright and Otterbein, it took its place with men’s work programs in other Protestant communions as a part of the “new awakening” among the men of the church.

CHRONOLOGY
UNITED METHODIST MEN’S ORGANIZATION

The present history of United Methodist Men begins in 1968. However, the seeds were planted, cultivation undertaken, and growth realized long before 1968. The following are a few milestones in the organization’s great history.

1752 First Brotherhood organized by John Wesley

1908 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church authorized the Methodist Brotherhoods

1909 The Otterbein Brotherhood of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ was organized and the Reverend Warren L. Bunger elected director

1913 Dr. C. W. Brewbaker was elected General Secretary of Sunday School and Brotherhood work of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ

1924 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church authorized the Wesley Brotherhoods

1929 The Otterbein Brotherhood of the Church of the United Brethren was revived and the Reverend M. I. Weber assumed responsibility of Brotherhood work

1931 The Albright Brotherhood of the Evangelical Church was organized (interest in a Brotherhood was called attention to at the 30th session of General Conference in 1930)

1939 Unification of the three great branches of Methodism into The Methodist Church

1940 Men’s work placed under the General Board of Lay Activities of the new Methodist Church

1941 A new Otterbein Brotherhood organization was authorized and effected

1942 Adoption of the official name Methodist Men, and the instruction of the chartering system

1943 Dr. W. R. Montgomery became leader of the Otterbein Brotherhood

1946 Brotherhood of the Evangelical United Brethren Church held its first convention during the uniting (Church of the United Brethren in Christ and The Evangelical Church) General Conference

1950 The Alaska Methodist University was created in Anchorage. Methodist Men from across the country took it upon themselves to furnish the library.

1952 Methodist Men Radio Hour originated with 38 stations

1953 First Methodist Men’s Conference, 4,000 men present

1953 The 5,000th charter was issued

1954 Name of men’s work program of the Evangelical United Brethren Church was changed from Brotherhood to Evangelical United Brethren Men

1956 Methodist Men had 10,000 chartered clubs

1957 Second Methodist Men’s Congress at Purdue University, 5,000 men present

1958 Methodist Men Radio Hour broadcast over 400 stations

1960 A definite effort made with executive employed from Rotary International

1961 Third Methodist Men’s Congress at Purdue University, 4,700 men present

1962 18,000 Charter Fellowships

1965 Fourth Methodist Men’s Congress at Purdue University, 4,700 men present

1965 Change of direction on men’s work with General Board of Laity; Men’s organization given low priority; 15,444 Charter Fellowships

1967 Charter Fellowships decreased to 9,941

1968 Unification of The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church men’s work into United Methodist Men

1968 Charter fellowships had decreased to 4,861

1968 Men’s groups of all local churches were asked to charter as United Methodist Men

1968 General Conference watered down legislation on United Methodist Men in the Book of Discipline

1969 First National Congress of United Methodist Men at Purdue University, 4,600 men present

1970 5,744 Charter Fellowships

1972 General Conference in Atlanta: Board of Discipleship created United Methodist Men

1973 Men’s Conference became Laity Conference

1973 Board of Discipleship set priority on United Methodist Men

1974 Two staff men employed to strengthen staff met with conference presidents; conference presidents elected committee of ten to draft legislation for United Methodist Men

1974 First workshop for United Methodist Men presidents, held with Conference Lay Leaders in Chicago; task force appointed to draft legislation for United Methodist Men for General Conference to be presented to national meeting of conference presidents of United Methodist Men

1975 January: United Methodist Men Task Force on Legislation met in Nashville and drafted United Methodist Men Legislation; March: National workshop for conference presidents of United Methodist Men held in Nashville; National Association of Conference Presidents was formed and Judge Ed Boardman of Florida was elected first president; legislation was approved and was turned over to the Board of Discipleship to be taken to General Conference in 1976

1976 Second annual meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents met and adopted a set of By-laws and Constitution

1976 General Conference met and adopted legislation of United Methodist Men that appears on 17 different pages (1972, on 3 pages); 23 special members at large of the General Board of Discipleship granted by General Conference (the 23 men basically came from conference presidents); Unit of United Methodist Men became a Section on United Methodist Men in the Division of Lay Life and Work

1977 Second National Congress of United Methodist Men at Purdue University, 3,800 men present

1978 1,300 new fellowships charteredUnited Methodist Men established the Upper Room Living Prayer Center with a promise of partial support

1979 Dale Waymire of Madill, Oklahoma became third national president

1980 Roy Lifsey, Douglas Georgia, elected chair, Section on United Methodist Men, General Board of Discipleship. General Conference updated purpose and general legislation of United Methodist Men; Board of Discipleship in restructuring of organization removed Division status; United Methodist Men became one of 12 program sections of the Board of Discipleship; the Section Administrator became member of Program Council and Administrative Council.

1981 Warren Hostetler of Amboy, Indiana, became fourth national president; third National Congress of United Methodist Men at Purdue University, 4,600 men registered and 5,400 attended many Music Hall sessions; 5,000 United Methodist Men Fellowships charters; Every Man Shares program introduced and implemented; United Methodist Men Foundation Chartered. The men contributed $61,000 to the Foundation.

1982 Kenneth Weatherford, Lawrenceville, Georgia elected 5th National President of United Methodist Men to serve out the unexpired term of deceased President Warren Hostetler.

1983 Kenneth Weatherford was reselected National President of UMMen for a two year term. 7,884 United Methodist Men chartered fellowships.

1984 Roy Lifsey of Douglas, Georgia was reselected Chair of the Section on United Methodist Men, General Board of Discipleship. 8663 United Methodist Men chartered fellowships.

1985 Harold Batiste, San Antonio, Texas elected 6th National President of United Methodist Men. Fourth National Congress of United Methodist Men at Purdue University. 5,340 men registered, however, the official count at the opening plenary was 6055 men and boys. $112,000 contributed in pledges and offering for United Methodist Men Foundation. “A Spiritual Journey for Men” introduced. 9,283 United Methodist Men chartered fellowships.

1986 9,306 United Methodist Men chartered fellowships.

1987 Harold Batiste was reselected National President of United Methodist Men for a second two year term. First BOWL-A-THON raised $109,464 in support of United Methodist Men Foundation. Men’s Section, General Board of Discipleship, raised to full Division Status placing United Methodist Men on par with United Methodist Women. 9,685 United Methodist Men chartered fellowships.

1988 Chuck Jones, Van Nuys, California, elected First Chair of the newly formed Men’s Division, General Board of Discipleship. Second BOWL-A-THON raised $119,533 in support of United Methodist Men Foundation. General Conference changed Paragraph 264 of the Discipline to read, “Each local Church and charge shall have an organized unit of United Methodist Men Chartered and annually recertified through the General Board of Discipleship to provide another channel for involving men in the local church.” General Conference made Jurisdictional Presidents full members of the General Board of Discipleship without going through Jurisdictional election pools. United Methodist Men Foundation sponsored the First “Catch the Spirit Cruise”, a seagoing retreat for 964 United Methodist men and women. Highlight of the cruise was Sunday Worship with the Jamaican Methodists. United Methodist Men Foundation Scouting endowment reached $202,821.00. 10,050 United Methodist chartered units.

1989 Ernie Wendell, Durham, North Carolina, elected 7th National President of United Methodist Men. Third BOWL-A-THON raised $105,585 in support of the United Methodist Foundation. 5th International Congress of UMMen was held at Purdue University, July 14-16, 1989. Theme: Uniting Men in Christ, Many Ministries - One Spirit. 5,200 men attended. The offering amounted to $60,403.33. There are 10,555 chartered units. Because the scope of its work is world wide United Methodist Men changed its National Congress of United Methodist Men to the International Congress of United Methodist Men.

1990 Ernie Wendell served his second year as National President of United Methodist Men. The net proceeds from the Fourth National BOWL-A-THON amounted to $140,000.00. The net worth of the United Methodist Men Foundation as of January 1991 amounted to $529,169.00. Total Charters: 11,505. UMMen sponsored its second Sea-Going Retreat with 500 in attendance.

1991 Stan England of Kennesaw, Georgia was elected the Eighth National President of United Methodist Men for a two year period. The net proceeds from the Fifth National Bowl-A-Thon amounted to $81,488.40. As of January 1, 1992, the net worth of the United Methodist Men Foundation amounted to $480,272.35. Total Charters: 9,325. Total EMS’s: 9,108. In October, UMMen sponsored its First Satellite Broadcast.

1992 Stan England was elected National President for the 1993-1996 Quadrennium. The National Association of Conference Presidents of UMMen changed their Constitution and By-Laws accordingly. Because of the action of the 1992 General Conference, the National President of UMMen became a full voting member of the General Board of Discipleship representing UMMen. Net proceeds from the Sixth National Bowl-A-Thon amounted to $134,360.93. As of January 1, 1992, the net worth of the United Methodist Men Foundation was $665,236.77. Total Charters: 9,743. Total EMS’s: 8,112. United Methodist Men sponsored its 2nd Satellite Broadcast, marking the 25th Anniversary of the joining of The Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church. Leonard Thompson of Baltimore, Maryland was elected Chair of the Men’s Division of the General Board of Discipleship for the 1993-1996 Quadrennium. In October 1992, the Rev. Byron Lee White came as the director of Scouting Ministries. The first National Conference on Black Men in Crisis was held at the General Board of Discipleship in August with over 500 in attendance.

1993 The Men’s Division became a part of a new organizational structure within the General Board of Discipleship known as “Streams”, which were designed to carry out the Board’s emphasis on Quest for Quality. The Men’s Division became a part of Stream II (Laity in Ministry). The total amount of money raised in the Seventh National Bowl-A-Thon amounted to $86,684.09. The net proceeds in the United Methodist Men Foundation as of January 1, 1993 was $847,586.83. The sixth International Congress of United Methodist Men was held at Purdue University with approximately 4,500 in attendance. The theme for the Congress was “A Man Sent From God.” Total Chartered Units: 9,593. Total EMS’s: 8,311.

1994 As of January 1, 1994, the net amount in the United Methodist Men Foundation was $1,072,307.57. Spring: The Office of Scouting Ministries became the Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/Scouting. The Eighth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $125,669. Chartered units: 9,993. Total EMS’s: 10,017. The second National Conference on Black Men in Crisis was held at the General Board of Discipleship in August with over 500 in attendance.

1995 January 1: Allen Brown retired after 16 years of faithful service. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,081,769.84. Jim Snead resigns in July 1995. Fall 1995, a new improved Moving United Methodist program was introduced with more flexibility and possibilities. The Ninth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $86,011.68.

1996 January 1: Foye Webb came as Team Leader, United Methodist Men’s Division. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,243,264.14. Spring: Leonard Thompson, chair, passes away after years of faithful service. At the Spring NACP meeting a special dinner recognition was made for Leonard Thompson, Jim Snead, and outgoing national president Stan England. Robert Powell, Dothan, Alabama became the Ninth National President of United Methodist Men for the 1997-2000 Quadrennium. Units of the General Board of Discipleship known as “Streams” now known as ministry units. United Methodist Men now a part of the Discipleship Ministry Unit. General Conference votes to make United Methodist Men a General Commission to become effective January 1, 1997. The first organizing Board meeting took place September 12-15, 1996 with Bishop Raymond Owen elected at first GCUMM Board President. July 1, Jim Snead named Executive Director of the UMMen Foundation. . United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,284,392. The Tenth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $75,654.

1997 Dr. Joseph L. Harris named General Secretary for the new General Commission on United Methodist Men. . The seventh International Congress of United Methodist Men was held at Purdue University with approximately 3,445 in attendance. Attendees pledge $408,000 over 4 years for possible self-sufficiency of the agency. The theme for the Congress was “A Man Sent From God.” Larry Malone came as Men’s Ministry Director and Larry Coppock came as Scouting Ministries Director. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,419,265. The Eleventh National Bowl-A-Thon raised $85,848.

1998 The GCUMM published a new quarterly magazine, UMMen: Uniting Men and Meaning, the only mainline denominational magazine for men in America dedicated to provide instruction and inspiration to the men of the United Methodist Church. Redesigned the MensNews for more readability. The General Commission on United Methodist Men held the largest Black Men’s Conference at the Atlanta Convention Center with 1200 in attendance. Pledges were made by attendees to help with a large deficit the meeting incurred. Launched the new United Methodist Men website. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,560,480. The Twelfth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $27,725.

1999 GCUMM produced many new resources and products for the UMM units. Conducted successful Bowl-A-Thon and first-time Bass Tournament for the UMM Foundation. Met with over 2500 clergy across the country to let them know what the new Commission on United Methodist Men will be doing to help strengthen their ministry among men. The first national Hunger Relief Advocate for Society of St. Andrew was named. Sadie Barry worked out of the UMM office for SoSA. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,489,419. The Thirteenth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $67,156.

2000 General Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio in May. Legislation by UMM was majority passed, with one being an increase in board members from 23-40, including 2 additional central conference representatives. Gilbert Hanke, Nacogdoches, Texas became the Tenth National President of United Methodist Men for the 2001-2004 Quadrennium. Robert Powell becomes the second United Methodist Men Foundation President. Del Ketcham joins the UMM staff as the Society of St. Andrew National Hunger relief Advocate in December. The 2001-2004 organizational meeting of the board held in September. Bishop Ernest Lyght elected as board president. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,413,210. The Fourteenth National Bowl-A-Thon raised $89,931.

2001 The eighth International Congress of United Methodist Men was held at Purdue University with approximately 4,000 in attendance. The theme for the Congress was “Congress 2001—A UMMen Odyssey. Christ’s Men in the New Millenium.” September 11, 2001 was a day in history the UMM will never forget. An eagle scout gives rights to a book for service personnel to the GCUMM. “Strength for Service to God & Country” was officially launched to have printed for the US military and service personnel who were on the front lines of defense for our country. More than $50,000 was received toward this endeavor by the end of 2001. United Methodist Men Foundation assets total $1,663,141. The UMM Foundation receives gift of $500,000 from Cal Turner, CEO of Dollar General Stores. The 2001 Sport-A-Thon raised $19,318.

2002 GCUMM rolls out a new small group resource for men known at TQuest. The first shipment of “Strength for Service to God & Country” are shipped to US Military personnel overseas. The 2002 Sport-A-Thon raised $25,197. A new position of Field Services Director filled by Dr. Kwasi Kena in August 2002.