October 2009
Church Spotlight - Mentors
 An interview with Peter Kettler, the leader of men’s ministry of Highline Community Church of Centennial, Colorado.
“Mentor: An individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development…and not done for personal gain.”
We were sitting at Yahoo’s eating fish tacos. He was excited about his new Gary Fisher mountain bike, which was due in any day now. Mountain biking at his age. At this stage of the game, most guys have bulging waistlines and have a hard time climbing one flight of stairs. But not Pete. For the nearly 20 years I have known him, he has been one of the healthiest, in-shape guys I’ve known. And the one thing that stands out about Pete is that he has the heart and soul of a God-wired mentor of men, regardless of which side of the tracks they live.
MMC: Tell me a little about yourself and how you got into men's ministry?
Pete: I am a retired businessman who has been involved in men's work (my own and others) for 20 years. My heart for men and their plight comes out of my own woundedness and desire to help men with theirs.
MMC: How many (available) men attend your church and how many regularly attend your ministry?
Pete: Sometimes as high as 80 or as low as 50 but there are a number of guys who come to the ministry from outside our church. This is by design. Our mission statement is to "Draw men into community with other men, into growing faith in Jesus Christ and into their purpose in the Kingdom of God."
Pete feels that the most attractive element of Highline’s men’s ministry is the fellowship that takes place between men when they process the topics presented and walk with each other through their respective spiritual journeys. Not just an event-centered ministry, his ministry also believes in leadership development and growing men in their faith.
MMC: What are the discipleship opportunities for your men and how are they working?
Pete: Really good teaching primarily by Dr. Robert Lewis in his Men's Fraternity series but we augment with bible studies and guest speakers. We also do leadership training and have ministry/service opportunities. There is a concerted effort to raise up leaders.
He says his biggest challenge is what most leaders of men face-getting men to break through their busy schedules to commit to time with other men, and gaining visibility as a meaningful ministry in a busy church.
MMC: How important is it to have and publish for the men a clear vision, sense of mission, and goals for men's ministry?
Pete: Very. We are constantly trying to convey to them that we are just trying to help them be better, more godly men.
MMC: What is your vision for the men in your church?
Pete: As Dr. Lewis puts it to become "authentic men of God" to "reject passivity, accept responsibility. lead courageously and wait for the greater reward." In a phrase, to become servant leaders in their homes, work and community.
MMC: In your opinion, what has to happen in order for you to achieve this vision? Pete: Time spent with them both in the ministry at large and individually. Also their recognition of their need for help. Preferably during or after their "crisis of limitation." This is from Richard Rohr. His "Journey of Transformation" is the template for our men's ministry. Rohr says that the key to all spirituality is surrender and for men it means giving up control - less of them- so that there can be more of Christ in their lives. Dying to self. Once a man really begins to see this then he's on the "wisdom journey" to becoming a "holy fool." We are all fools, might as well be a fool for Christ.
Getting men to be transparent and open with what is really going on in their lives is important to Pete. He says that it is a process that takes place largely because the leadership itself models it. Sounds like it’s working.
Pete’s commitment to developing men has been a twenty year journey-long enough for some guys to think that they have “arrived” and can’t be taught new tricks. But not Pete. He feels that he is just starting the next phase of where God is leading him and is excited about what he is going to learn! Rich can be reached at (303) 730-1874.
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