Making the Church Better Part 1 - Men’s Ministry
Posted by Todd Lowans | Posted in church , men's ministry , what makes a good church? | Posted on 4:45 PM
This post is a follow up to my blog titled “What makes a good church?” In this series of blogs I want to identify some things I think the church can do better (and by the church I mean the people that make up the church) and how I think you can make a difference. This is in no way meant to point a finger at anyone or any church, it's simply insight and my opinions on what we, as the church can do better.
Some of you have probably read the book Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow. While the title may give you pause, this book is strikingly honest, to the point and in my opinion accurate. In the book Murrow states that the church is not meeting the needs of men. When you think about church, words like comfort, care and support come to mind – not exactly manly words. When a man wants something to do, words like adventure, challenge and risk are running through their minds – not exactly your average Sunday morning service. Men need to be challenged, they need adventure, and they need to take risks. We, the church, need to figure out ways to give men this.
More spiritually healthy men = a healthier church. Another point Murrow makes is that in most churches the children's ministry has a pretty hefty budget and it is near the top of the priority list. I do not disagree with this; however, I believe it should come after men's ministry on the priority list. We always assume that if a child gets saved when they are young then they will follow Christ the rest of their lives. There are studies that support this idea very strongly. However, there are other studies that have shown that when a man gets saved, more often than not his whole family (wife & children) follow suit.
What can you do? First off, I would recommend reading the book (I am guessing a lot of you have already done this). There are also some great resources on the book’s companion website. Beyond that, if you’re a man and attend a church where there is not a men’s ministry, start one. Don't just start a ministry where you go get coffee and talk about your feelings (more than likely you won't have very many men attending it anyways); start one where men are challenged spiritually, socially and physically. Things like going on a mountain climbing trip, white water rafting, hiking etc. Jesus led his disciples on many adventures, and through them He taught, challenged and grew closer to them. Jesus knew how to develop strong, bold and spiritually solid men; we could probably learn a few things from Him.
So the question is, will you complain or step up? I challenge you to do the latter.
dude, couldn't agree more. after skimming through the book, talking with some guys who do men's ministry about this and knowing the subject matter,we too often feminize the Christian faith and its expressions. Now I don't know if I'm going to lead a chorus of "Onward Christian Soldiers," but certainly having a more "macho" service is a good thing, after all women watch football, but guys don't widely watch soaps.
Men as Christian leaders in the home are absolutely the way to change the tide from high school Christians to college heathens.
I loved the book! It was a little off in some places. For example, in a lot of places the book is only applicable to a minority of the male population, and I also have some hesitancy about arm wrestling in children's church. Those are minor issues, though.
The main point is that most of the subtle stuff in church is overwhelmingly feminine. From the passive/agressive way things have to get done, to Sunday morning attire, to the whole praise and worship experience.
I am very glad that you got a chance to read this one because you and Nick were the ones I thought of when I read the book. Very useful to anyone who wants to influence their church to be more than women and the elderly.