CITY HOSTING EVANGELICAL MEN'S RALLY : WOMEN'S GROUP PLANS MEETING IN 2 WEEKS.

Byline: Anne Burke Daily News Staff Writer

The Promise Keepers' just-for-men Christian rally returns to Los Angeles tonight, when 50,000 men are expected to pour into the L.A. Coliseum to worship God and pledge themselves to be better husbands and fathers.

But for those who've felt left out on account of gender, take heart.

In two weeks, a Christian women's group is staging a similar event at the Rose Bowl - without the male-bashing.

``There's nothing to be gained by getting down on the guys,'' said Joanne Herdrich, spokeswoman for the Santa Ana-based Chosen Women, sponsor of the May 16 and 17 gathering in Pasadena.

The two-day event that begins this evening at the Coliseum is Promise Keepers' third Los Angeles rally. It kicks off a 19-city tour.

The Denver-based evangelical group exhorts men to become ``promise keepers'' at home by forsaking the golf course and the TV remote control in favor of a deeper commitment to their families.

``Rather than watch football and films of violence and yell at their families and be irresponsible, we call men to take their rightful roles in society, to be men who honor their families and walk with God,'' said attorney Wicks Stephens, 62, of Sherman Oaks, a veteran of several Promise Keepers rallies.

The events are marked by boisterous celebration - singing, foot-stomping, cheering and high-fiving - along with tears and I-love-you-man hugs, minus the alcoholic inducement.

``You're there in that Coliseum with 75,000-plus people praising God, and something's going to happen to you. It was just a happy, warm wonderful feeling being there,'' said Tim Corkery, 82, of Canoga Park.

Promise Keepers has carried on despite a barrage of criticism. Liberals and women's groups take issue with its men-only policy and accuse it of pursuing a hidden, right-wing agenda and promoting male dominance in marriage.

Promise Keepers spokesman Paul Barnes insists the group has no political bent. Nor does it intend to open up its ministry to women. That seems to suit participants.

``I've seen men in tears and repentant. That is easier done before other men and not in front of women,'' said the Rev. Joseph Poch of St. David's Episcopal Church in North Hollywood.

As for the male-dominance issue, Barnes said Promise Keepers supports ``traditional Christian teaching that the man is head of the home,'' but not the idea that the husband is the ``dominant authority figure.''

``It's a paradox,'' he conceded.

Promise Keepers has taken steps to mute attacks from minority groups, who remark on the sea of white faces at rallies.

Barnes said that a Promise Keepers outreach effort, that includes free admission for at least 2,000 participants, should boost minority participation in Los Angeles. Regular admission is $60.

Still, some minority clergy are skeptical.

The Rev. Leonard Jackson, associate pastor at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, said that inner-city African-Americans would like to see Promise Keepers contribute to social programs for the poor.

``It's almost like the old story. The missionaries come with the Bible. They leave, you have the Bible, they have the land,'' Jackson said.

Since it started in 1991 by then-University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers has exploded in growth. Last year, 1.1 million men attended Promise Keepers rallies at 22 stadiums. The group employs 450, and revenues this year are projected at $117 million.

According to the group, it costs $54 per person to put on the conference. The remainder goes to support Promise Keepers' national and international ministries, and the group's 36 regional offices.

Herdrich said that 20,000 to 30,000 women are expected for the Chosen Women rally. Unlike the Promise Keepers' focus on a man's shortcomings at home, the women will reaffirm their faith in God.

``It's not a problem to get a majority of women dedicated to their families,'' she said.