(Photo of CLBC Men's Prayer Breakfast)
In many churches, men are missing in action. Studies are reflecting that Western Christianity is becoming more feminized. Men are continuing to abstain from church attendance and involvement in record numbers.
David Murrow wrote Why Men Hate Going to Church seeking answers to why this is happening. I think Murrow overstates the reasons why men are staying away, though I think he may be on to something in some of his theories. I think it is incorrect to first place the blame on the church as to why men are not engaging in church adequately. We must begin with the fact that men, like all human beings are sinners. They are not involved in church because they do not know the Christ of the church. They are doing as they please- golfing, hunting, fishing, sports, you name it. Anything that appeals to the flesh. Anyone who loves Christ passionately will also want to be involved with His church. Not to the exclusion of these other "manly" activities, but as a central part of life.
I do believe men want to be involved with something larger than themselves. They are not much interested in a woman's club mindset where they are supposed to be as Murrow states, nice, neutered wimps. That is certainly not what we see in the life of Jesus.
I believe men are compelled by:
*Purpose- Why are we doing what we are doing? What is the point? Why should I be here? Christ calls us to live the crucified life, to be conformed to His image. We are called to the Great Commandment.
*Vision- Where are we going and how are we going to get there? We are called to the Great Commission.
*Implementation- What can I do to fulfill my purpose and help implement the vision? The fastest way to lose men is to fail to give them a role in the process. Men need to be called to fulfill their God given roles and then be held accountable for it.
At Cross Lanes Baptist, we are blessed with strong, godly men that completely defy the metrosexual feminization that is taking over many churches. Men ought to look like men, talk like men, and act like men, because they are men. They are not women.
Through our Cornerstone Men's Ministry, we are challenging men to follow a higher calling. A calling that is from God and greater than all of us. We are reorganizing for 2008-2009 to return to the basics and attempt to involve more men to follow Jesus in a radical life of surrender. I am encouraged by what God is doing in our church and I pray that we will be found faithful.
