It's Friday - so I'll probably upset somebody!
I want to use today's entry to talk about an event that we will be hosting on Saturday. PBC's Ironman Conference will begin @ 10am and finish up around 3pm. We will have worship music, challenging media bytes, preaching, and barbecue. Can you go wrong with that kind of line-up?
Of course, men's ministry is something that is lacking in many of our churches. Let me rephrase that last line...genuine men's ministry is something that is lacking in many of our churches. Sure - many churches offer something that looks like, sounds like, and most of the time acts like men's ministry but where are the men?
Doug Giles, Clash Radio, wrote an article about the lack of men in church. God's Warriors & Wild Men isn't for the faint of heart nor the easily offended. In fact, his testosterone laden inquiry will probably lead some people to question his motives but I have found that there are times men and the church need to be shook up.
Here's a list of some things he thinks needs to change:
1) Put an end to preaching by cheesy, winy, quiche eating, and self-preening Nancy Boys...right now. (He then goes on to say that he likes a pastor who throws off a good John Wayne vibe)
2) Ditto regarding the worship/music leader. (A call for weighty worship music and leaders in the churches...leaders who will guide people to the very throne of God & music that will deepen their walk with Christ rather than just make them feel good)
3) Enough with the Precious Moments prints & figurines. (Asks for art/decorations that will stop people in their tracks and make them think...)
4) Lose the church's "I'm in therapy forever feel." (Of course we all have problems, Giles states, but he's calling for churches to create an environment where we celebrate the struggle rather than just coddle people in their problems)
Some of you may not like the list Giles created, but I have to ask the question "Is he right?" Are men running away from the church because it doesn't seem "manly"? It makes sense. Why do some men avoid church like a psycho avoids reality? {Giles} Could it be that they don't see the masculine, strong, patriarch, prophetic warriors, and wild men that we see in scripture? Could it be that the only men they see in some churches are there to please their wives rather than because of a thriving relationship with God?
One other note: Why is it when Christian men try to influence Christian men that we are seen as sexist? It seems that every time there is a "Promise Keepers" event going on that some feminist group shows up to protest. Baptist a few years ago made a declaration lining themselves up with scripture and the place of women in the home and church and you would have thought they repealed the woman's "right" to vote. Men can be men without changing women! In fact, it's the only way.
My prayer for the men's conference we are holding is that the men who come will be challenged in their faith and begin a quest of regaining headship of the home (becoming a spiritual leader, a patriarch to their family, lead their boys to be rowdy and righteous, and become an example to their little girl what a man in the home should be).
Society, TV, movies, and a lot of the psycho-babble that has went on over the last quarter of a century has pushed men into the background of church and life in general. But the fault lies with the men who laid down and rolled over.
What are some things about faith in Christ that can appeal to men?
1) Forgiveness of Sin - I don't know of a man out there that doesn't want this. We have all blown it at some time. To know that we have been cleansed from all our faults helps us to move forward in a life for God's glory.
2) The Challenge of Discipleship - Most men like a challenge. Well, there's nothing more challenging than denying self and taking up a cross to follow Jesus. I dare all Christian men to take the challenge.
3) The Call of Leadership - Is there a man who doesn't want to be the head of their home or a spiritual leader in someones life? Even if all you do is reduce men to their pride - they want to be in front. There is something inside of them that says "Follow Me". Use that inner warrior for God's Kingdom and you will find that your marriage, your children, and your church will be better off for it.
In closing let me ask a question of the women out there: "Do you want a godly man in your home?" Many of you have prayed about it for years. Most women out there could care less if their man cries as long as he cries out to God for the family. Most women could care less if their man is sensitive as long as he is sensitive to the Holy Spirit of God. One of the reasons pastors have to take such great lengths in accountability when it comes to counseling women is because of the overwhelming number of women who are drawn to a spiritual man who will listen to them, pray with them, and offer counsel. The women in our churches need God-fearing, Christ-honoring men in their lives.
Hey Dude - if you want to become one of God's Warriors & Wild Men - take a chance in living out your faith. Come out and be a part of PBC's Ironman Conference and see if you aren't challenged in your relationships, your home, and your spiritual life.
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