The Promise Keepers, a men's faith movement credited with resurrecting ''muscular Christianity'' through massive rallies in the mid 1990s, kicks off a 19-city national tour in Fort Lauderdale on Friday as part of an ongoing effort to repackage itself as a ''more mature'' ministry.Organizers say the two-day worship conference, which concludes Saturday, is expected to bring an estimated 7,000 men to Fort Lauderdale's BankAtlantic Center, where worshipers will also listen to Christian musical acts and motivational speakers.
That's a considerably smaller group than the 17,000 who attended a Promise Keepers rally at Miami's Orange Bowl in 1997.
''Men's involvement in traditional churches is a growing struggle,'' said Steve Chavis, a spokesman for the Promise Keepers. ``By getting smaller . . . we're able to speak more directly to men.''
...