PROMISE KEEPERS

Ask men about their relationships with other men, and many will stumble and fidget. They tend to be uncomfortable about the topic. Moreover, too many men give up their responsibilities to their families, churches and communities. An estimated 8 million children are fatherless, in large part the result of men who couldn't or wouldn't take the necessary responsibility.

These men are the target of one of the fastest growing organizations in America. It is called Promise Keepers. The aim of the nondenominational group with strong religious emphasis is to get men to lead more Christian lives and to develop the kind of relationships with other men that will help them keep their commitments.

Promise Keepers is organizing in Cape Girardeau, and early indications are that there will be plenty of interest in the group's efforts. Nationally, the organization started in 1990. A year later it had 4,200 members. This year there will be 13 conferences around the nation, and some 750,000 men will participate.

That sort of commitment to keeping promises is likely to radically change how men live up to the ideals of fatherhood and responsibility. The Promise Keepers are a welcome addition to the community.