Great to see this, and thank you for your efforts to build resources and systems to aid us. I used Exodus 90 as a way to connect with friends and grow in faith and discipline, and was thankful for it. I look forward to this as a better alternative.
I’ve used it for years as well- 330,000 men have. It’s great- but thoroughly Roman (good for them for staying true). We are prayerful that this allows Lutheran men (and beyond) be able to experience that same growth and blessing! Please let us know if you have any feedback on the program!
This seems a highly promising initiative. You are so right to observe that freedom begins with discipline. I have forwarded the article to my church's pastor and our lead elder for their consideration.
If you click subscribe to a membership- you should be able to enter that gift code into the “have a coupon” section which will make the total cost go to $0
This seems great - but I have one question. Are the readings, etc only available on an app? Is there a way to get printed copies? For those who already struggle with phone addiction, having to go to an app on your phone everyday adds another temptation
Good question- You can access the readings and devotions on a desktop as well. We won’t have a print version- but you could easily copy and paste the content from the devotion and print from there. Does that answer your question?
Great! Please let me know if I can help in anyway. I also have a powerpoint presentatio available (it will be loaded on the website within the week). Feel free to email bryan.stecker@ontheline.net
I’m going to try and bring the idea to my pastors attention, but at the very least I’m going to try and recruit some men from the congregation who attend my Bible study. I’m looking forward to this though, and I am going to make an effort to include my 18 year old son.
If you reach out to contact@memento70.com we can help further. In short- you should see a documents tab on the bottom left of your screen (the website is designed like an app) which will lead you to the 3 core documents. If you do not see those then we may need to address an access issue.
I have a phrase I like to say as a Lutheran, "Obedience is the fruit, not the root."
I appreciate discipline and vocation, but even though it's well-intentioned, this movement feels more monastic than evangelical. It places the weight of renewal on male effort rather than on Christ’s gifts. The language of “freedom through obedience” and the idea that structure or rhythm produces depth confuses Law and Gospel. In Lutheran theology, the Spirit sanctifies through the Gospel, not through programs or systems, and placing spiritual growth on disciplined performance shifts the focus away from Christ.
I’m also concerned about how this framework leaves women in a secondary role. It assumes that families, congregations, and even the Church’s witness flourish only when men attain structure and holiness. That makes women passive recipients of male spiritual achievement instead of equal participants in the Spirit’s work. Our Confessions teach that the Holy Spirit sanctifies all believers equally; spiritual seriousness and maturity are not gendered. When renewal is grounded in the discipline of men rather than the gifts of Christ given to both men and women, it creates a spiritual hierarchy Luther rejected and burdens men while sidelining women.
What I see happening more so than not is not that more discipline is needed, but more hearts and minds renewed by grace, from which true obedience flows.
Hello! I visited the Memento website and I have some theological concerns that may have been overlooked in light of Lutheran theology.
On the front page of the Memento site, it says under "Discipline and Freedom: "True freedom comes through discipline, not indulgence. Root yourself in prayer, fasting, and the Word, and discover the change you've been looking for."
We believe as Lutherans that true freedom is found in Christ, whose grace renews the heart. Prayer, study of the Word, and Christian living flow naturally from that heart renewed by the Spirit—not as a condition to earn freedom, but as a joyful response to it.
Also, the closing on the "Mission" page is concerning as it says, "Let's remember. Let's rise. Let's reclaim the man." We do not reclaim the man; Christ has already claimed us and all believers through His life, death, and resurrection, and it is His work in the Gospel that frees, renews, and sanctifies—nothing we do can “reclaim” ourselves apart from Him.
Thanks for taking the time to share these concerns. I’ll offer a brief response, because several of the critiques rest on a misunderstanding of what Memento is.
Discipline is a fruit of faith, not the root of it. Scripture is clear that Christians—already forgiven, already justified—still have to struggle against the flesh. We are simultaneously saint and sinner, and because of that, Scripture gives constant exhortations: “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7), “Discipline your body” (1 Cor. 9:27), “Put off the old self… put on the new” (Eph. 4:22–24), fast, give alms, flee from sexual immorality, etc. These aren’t attempts to earn salvation. They’re the Spirit’s work in those who already have Christ.
The Lutheran Confessions say the same: “Faith must bring forth good fruits” (Formula of Concord, article IV) and “The Holy Spirit uses the instruction of the Law to teach believers what works are truly good” (Ap IV.136). Memento never presents discipline as the cause of renewal. It assumes the Gospel is true, and then helps men practice the very habits Scripture calls Christians to: prayer, fasting, self-control, daily devotion, and life in the Word.
It also helps to remember that Christians, though forgiven, can still be in bondage to very ordinary sins. A man who goes to church every week and trusts Christ can still be enslaved to sloth, anger, lust, or an addiction to his phone. Putting guardrails on that phone isn’t “self-salvation.” It’s simply living in the freedom Christ already gave—freedom from the things that master us. These concrete habits are often the means by which Christ frees us from very tangible bondage. I can't imagine reflecting on my own life and not seeing obvious examples of Christ working through means to help free me from real and tangible timely struggles the rise out of my sinful nature.
On the concern about women: Memento is a men’s resource because men and women have different vocations and different struggles. It’s no different than having marriage resources, fatherhood resources, or pastoral resources—tailoring does not imply hierarchy. We already plan to launch a women’s version in the near future, because the feminine vocation deserves its own distinct and serious attention. The goal is not to sideline women, but to speak honestly and helpfully to the realities men and women each face. Launching a program like this is a massive undertaking- we decided to start with the mens resource first because we believe they are under represented in available Lutheran resources.
In short, Memento is rooted in Scripture, devotions, and prayer. It doesn’t replace the Gospel; it assumes the Gospel and seeks to help men live out what Scripture already calls all Christians to do.
Great to see this, and thank you for your efforts to build resources and systems to aid us. I used Exodus 90 as a way to connect with friends and grow in faith and discipline, and was thankful for it. I look forward to this as a better alternative.
I’ve used it for years as well- 330,000 men have. It’s great- but thoroughly Roman (good for them for staying true). We are prayerful that this allows Lutheran men (and beyond) be able to experience that same growth and blessing! Please let us know if you have any feedback on the program!
This seems a highly promising initiative. You are so right to observe that freedom begins with discipline. I have forwarded the article to my church's pastor and our lead elder for their consideration.
Thank you. I would be happy to talk with them as well if they have more questions
Very kind of you to offer. Thanks.
A gift subscription was purchased for me.
Where do I enter it?
I cannot get past where I have to purchase my own...?
If you click subscribe to a membership- you should be able to enter that gift code into the “have a coupon” section which will make the total cost go to $0
OK. Done. Thank you.👌
This seems great - but I have one question. Are the readings, etc only available on an app? Is there a way to get printed copies? For those who already struggle with phone addiction, having to go to an app on your phone everyday adds another temptation
Good question- You can access the readings and devotions on a desktop as well. We won’t have a print version- but you could easily copy and paste the content from the devotion and print from there. Does that answer your question?
Yes thanks.
I’m going to try and get a group of men together here in Augusta, GA!
Great! Please let me know if I can help in anyway. I also have a powerpoint presentatio available (it will be loaded on the website within the week). Feel free to email bryan.stecker@ontheline.net
I’m going to try and bring the idea to my pastors attention, but at the very least I’m going to try and recruit some men from the congregation who attend my Bible study. I’m looking forward to this though, and I am going to make an effort to include my 18 year old son.
Email sent! Thanks
Another of my sons is going to join!
As for me, having already subscribed, have not been able to figure out how to get further ... access documents, etc.
If you reach out to contact@memento70.com we can help further. In short- you should see a documents tab on the bottom left of your screen (the website is designed like an app) which will lead you to the 3 core documents. If you do not see those then we may need to address an access issue.
I have a phrase I like to say as a Lutheran, "Obedience is the fruit, not the root."
I appreciate discipline and vocation, but even though it's well-intentioned, this movement feels more monastic than evangelical. It places the weight of renewal on male effort rather than on Christ’s gifts. The language of “freedom through obedience” and the idea that structure or rhythm produces depth confuses Law and Gospel. In Lutheran theology, the Spirit sanctifies through the Gospel, not through programs or systems, and placing spiritual growth on disciplined performance shifts the focus away from Christ.
I’m also concerned about how this framework leaves women in a secondary role. It assumes that families, congregations, and even the Church’s witness flourish only when men attain structure and holiness. That makes women passive recipients of male spiritual achievement instead of equal participants in the Spirit’s work. Our Confessions teach that the Holy Spirit sanctifies all believers equally; spiritual seriousness and maturity are not gendered. When renewal is grounded in the discipline of men rather than the gifts of Christ given to both men and women, it creates a spiritual hierarchy Luther rejected and burdens men while sidelining women.
What I see happening more so than not is not that more discipline is needed, but more hearts and minds renewed by grace, from which true obedience flows.
Hello! I visited the Memento website and I have some theological concerns that may have been overlooked in light of Lutheran theology.
On the front page of the Memento site, it says under "Discipline and Freedom: "True freedom comes through discipline, not indulgence. Root yourself in prayer, fasting, and the Word, and discover the change you've been looking for."
We believe as Lutherans that true freedom is found in Christ, whose grace renews the heart. Prayer, study of the Word, and Christian living flow naturally from that heart renewed by the Spirit—not as a condition to earn freedom, but as a joyful response to it.
Also, the closing on the "Mission" page is concerning as it says, "Let's remember. Let's rise. Let's reclaim the man." We do not reclaim the man; Christ has already claimed us and all believers through His life, death, and resurrection, and it is His work in the Gospel that frees, renews, and sanctifies—nothing we do can “reclaim” ourselves apart from Him.
Thanks for taking the time to share these concerns. I’ll offer a brief response, because several of the critiques rest on a misunderstanding of what Memento is.
Discipline is a fruit of faith, not the root of it. Scripture is clear that Christians—already forgiven, already justified—still have to struggle against the flesh. We are simultaneously saint and sinner, and because of that, Scripture gives constant exhortations: “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7), “Discipline your body” (1 Cor. 9:27), “Put off the old self… put on the new” (Eph. 4:22–24), fast, give alms, flee from sexual immorality, etc. These aren’t attempts to earn salvation. They’re the Spirit’s work in those who already have Christ.
The Lutheran Confessions say the same: “Faith must bring forth good fruits” (Formula of Concord, article IV) and “The Holy Spirit uses the instruction of the Law to teach believers what works are truly good” (Ap IV.136). Memento never presents discipline as the cause of renewal. It assumes the Gospel is true, and then helps men practice the very habits Scripture calls Christians to: prayer, fasting, self-control, daily devotion, and life in the Word.
It also helps to remember that Christians, though forgiven, can still be in bondage to very ordinary sins. A man who goes to church every week and trusts Christ can still be enslaved to sloth, anger, lust, or an addiction to his phone. Putting guardrails on that phone isn’t “self-salvation.” It’s simply living in the freedom Christ already gave—freedom from the things that master us. These concrete habits are often the means by which Christ frees us from very tangible bondage. I can't imagine reflecting on my own life and not seeing obvious examples of Christ working through means to help free me from real and tangible timely struggles the rise out of my sinful nature.
On the concern about women: Memento is a men’s resource because men and women have different vocations and different struggles. It’s no different than having marriage resources, fatherhood resources, or pastoral resources—tailoring does not imply hierarchy. We already plan to launch a women’s version in the near future, because the feminine vocation deserves its own distinct and serious attention. The goal is not to sideline women, but to speak honestly and helpfully to the realities men and women each face. Launching a program like this is a massive undertaking- we decided to start with the mens resource first because we believe they are under represented in available Lutheran resources.
In short, Memento is rooted in Scripture, devotions, and prayer. It doesn’t replace the Gospel; it assumes the Gospel and seeks to help men live out what Scripture already calls all Christians to do.
.
nytuydfavte