Men & Their Books: Ann Arbor CRC Men’s Prayer & Study; Ann Arbor, Mich.

This line appears every Sunday in the bulletin of the Ann Arbor CRC: "Wednesday: 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Men's Prayer & Study." Men of the AACRC have met Wednesday mornings for over 15 years. At first—at 7:00—there was one meeting. To appeal to later-risers (read retirees) and accommodate guys who have to get to work, we split into two groups.
 
We meet near the church kitchen and start with coffee, bagels, and cream cheese. Prayer (by the last to sit down) is followed by 50 minutes of digging into the current chapter of the book under study.
 
It helps if at least one member has a few questions and nudges discussion along. The groups have studied many of Tom Wright's books opening the New Testament; we’ve also read books by authors Dallas Willard, Tim Keller, Tony Campolo, C.S. Lewis, Mark Noll, and others.

Not surprisingly, discussions are often wide-ranging. The small groups (10 or less) are social, open to others, and evolve over the years, but they serve beautifully to acquaint and knit the members together. Prayer at closing sends the men out aware of concerns and prepared for the day.