Too many problems in society stem from men not taking their rightful place in the community, according to Leon Jennings, director of the men's ministry at Vernon Temple AME church.

So, while many churches across the Island hold a Men's day on one Sunday in the year, Vernon Temple began its annual Men's Weekend on Thursday.

Chief on the list of tasks to accomplish in this year's programme entitled "Men Committed To God and Family" is to help men reclaim their places in our society.

"The goal is to get men to take their rightful place and to get back to God's original place for us," Mr. Jennings said.

"Family actually means father's house in its original context and he is responsible for love, discipline, self worth and so if you remove a father where does a child get the love or discipline he needs," he asked. "There is a need for men to take their rightful place in the family, church and the community.

"If men take their place we can help lots of problems in society such as delinquency, teenage pregnancy and single parent homes," Mr. Jennings said.

A father and child dinner, a mini-golf tournament, a Sunday Men's Day programme and a men and women's forum are on tab for the weekend's activities.

A number of workshops will allow participants to engage in discussions on a number of timely issues. The first event a father and child dinner with the theme "The Fruit Doesn't Fall Far" was well attended on Thursday.

The focus is on making men aware of how they influence young people in positive and negative ways.

Last night's workshop "Men: How did we become the weakest link?" questioned why women appear to be more successful than men in society.

Mr. Jennings said: "Why is it that women are so much more advanced and in tune? Why do men allow them to take the lead? Why are they (men) on the wall watching and being idle?

"How do we reach the point when we break God's orders, and this may offend some people, that man is the head and then the women and then the children? If something is out of order then it will never work."

Today is the busiest day of the programme and begins with a continental breakfast at 9 a.m., men's prayer at 9.30 a.m., a workshop teaching young people that there are positive role-models at 10 a.m., another titled "The Heart of a Warrior" at the same time, and a mini-golf tournament at 1 p.m..

Sunday's events will feature guest speaker Edward Bailey from Lancaster, Pennsylvania who will preach at 11 a.m and a men and women's forum at 6 p.m. called "What men want, what women need."

All events are at Vernon Temple AME at 4 Hawthorn Lane, Middle Road, Southampton.