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At once an uneasy feeling came over me as I recalled the Barna statistic claiming nine out of ten boys will leave church by the age of 20. As I spoke with them in detail I realized that they believed that after gaining eternity, there was little else the church could offer compared to the adventures of boyhood. In other words, they politely said church bored them. Business expert, W. Edwards Deming once said, "Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you are getting." The more I thought about it the more I realized that my son' are in a system which does not promote the Biblical view that Manhood and Christ-likeness are synonymous. What I mean is, males, young and old, are drawn towards adventure, challenge and risk. Instead, most congregations offer a sedate, controlled, polite environment for boys, an oasis of stability and kindness that many young men mistake for weakness. Few people are saying it, but someone should. John Eldredge did as he nailed it when he said, "Walk into most churches, have a look around, and ask yourself: what is a Christian Man? Without listening to what is said, look at what you find there. Most Christian men are…bored!" My boys' feelings were not only very common but highly symptomatic of most men that attend our churches. Or should I say most men who do not attend our churches. The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that is 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all ages. There are 13 million more women than men attending in services on any given Sunday. More than 90% of men believe in God, and five out of six call themselves Christians. But only two out of six attend church. The average Christian man accepts the reality of Jesus Christ, but fails to see any value in going to church. Many men attend church out of obligation to family and view our faith as feminine. Can you blame them? We sing lyrics to Jesus that carries no masculinity whatsoever: "You are altogether lovely, altogether wonderful to me", "Oh Lord you're beautiful, Your face is all I seek", "You are my Sweet, Sweet Song". Author David Murrow summarizes this outstandingly. "Think of the mental gymnastics that takes place inside a man's mind as he sings lyrics like these. He is trying to express his love to Jesus, a man who lives today, using words no man would dare say to another, set to music that sounds like love songs his wife listens to in the car. (By the way, men never call each other beautiful, lovely, sweet or wonderful)." Most guys do not want to call Jesus "Sweet." They do not want to be God's Sweetheart, but would rather be His Braveheart. Studies show that women and seniors gravitate towards security and predictability. Although our official mission is one of adventure, the actual mission of most congregations is making people feel comfortable and safe. There are stark differences between men and women contrary to what many would have you believe. In the arena of purchasing, when my wife wants to buy pair of pants she will just go shop-ping. When I decide to buy a pair of pants, I must plan arrival and departure time, as an uneasiness comes over me being an alien-man braving the dark unknown of mall shop-ping. I don't go shop-ping, I go hunt-ting! I seek to find, buy and escape. It's a guy thing. What is it about modern Christianity that is driving men away? Jesus was a magnet to men, but some churches repel them. Why do rival religions like Islam attract more men than women? We are missing the chance to give our men the adventure of our faith, the challenge, the fulfillment and joy that is there for the taking. The Apostle Peter saw Jesus first hand perform miracles that today requires faith to believe. But our Boy Peter never considered leaving his nets of fish until Jesus touched him with an adventuresome miracle right where he lived. He showed him God's power in his business. (Just what Peter could relate to). He dropped his nets full of fish for good to follow Jesus, but today's church can't convince men to drop their remote controls for a couple hours a week to engage themselves in a spiritual adventure that would fulfill them to no end. If we are to look at past revivals and hope for future ones, it must start with men leading men. It must be a unified effort to wake up "Spiritual Lazaruses". To create a magnetic pull by casting a compelling vision that is both adventuresome and masculine. We need our guys back from substituting the Yankees for a wild life with Christ. The Bible says "Act like a man" twice in Job. Men need to be taught what a real man looks like. He looks like Jesus! The most masculine man that ever lived. When we find the real man Jesus, the old man's desires wane as our new man gets hooked up! Jesus said, "God's Kingdom is like a treasure hidden in the field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic-what a find-and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy the field. Matthew 13:44, The Message That's what we need to teach guys. That Kingdom building is more exciting, more fulfilling than anything else on earth! When done with a band of brothers, the Gospel becomes irresistible to men. Take a Bored-Again Christian and release his manhood in Christ and watch the warrior come out in him. Our families, churches, and society will never be the same. We can change our world one man at a time. God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events. Additional Information: God4Me Articles Please Visit: God4Me.com |
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