Usually I do not read the Globe and Mail . But there it was , where I was , so I decided to flip through it . Low and behold an article caught my eye . It was about the vanishing men in Church. The basic idea was the way the Church is organized , it naturally attracts more women . With its worship style , its safe messages and in general , feminized style messages.
This is nothing new . I have read other articles concerning this problem. That in general , men feel out of place in Church. But are the conclusions mentioned above valid for the exodus of men. In the mainline denominations and more contemporary style Churches , the answer is yes.
Old Hymns have been replaced with worship and praise songs. Now many are excellent , however at the same time many you could substitute a girlfriends name and you could not tell the difference. Often they picture Jesus as a love , a friend wrapped around gooey ,cheesy lyrics.
Another is the message. Yes it is often not called a sermon or preaching , but a message . Sure it may feature a text but often the "message" is on felt needs . How to be a better person or how Jesus can help you cope with life. Jesus is reduced to a life coach or therapist to equip you to overcome life's issues. He is your guide,friend etc.. Add in the rejection of scripture teaching that women are not permitted to teach men , and you have a ever increasing female presence in the front of the Church.
Even the new buildings have a open,mall like feel. They have coffee , scones and in general have less of a reverent feel.The pulpit has been replaced with a open stage .
When I think about it , many Pastors that I can recall from my youth were even what I would call effeminate . You could not see them , hunting,fishing,throwing a ball , playing hockey or any sport . Their hands felt like , well , woman's hands . Soft. That is a fact . Put all these factors in the same pot and you have a feminized Church .
When I think of someone like my Dad , he would feel so out of place in many of my local Churches . As with many men of all ages. I'm not saying that men are brutes with no feelings ,but we are not touchy ,mushy in general.Plus this even does a disservice to women.
So what is the solution. Is it turning the Church into a sports bar type setting. Bring in big screen TV's ? No,No,No.
Its recovering the great truths of scripture. Its reclaiming the bigger picture. The great and majestic nature of God. That He is holy , an all consuming fire.That He is creator,sovereign,redeemer and coming king . Its about getting back to preaching the word with power. Proclaiming the truths of redemption only in Christ. That we are sinners in need of a great Shepherd who is not the jello Jesus of most TV's shows or movies. The true Jesus who rebukes the Devil, healed the sick,raised the dead, preached the hard truths and laid down His life on a brutal cross so that we may be saved.
We need to recapture the great doctrines of the faith . From the beauty of the trinity , to the reformation truths of the 5 Sola's(grace alone,faith alone,In Christ alone,scripture alone , for God's glory alone).
We also need to show men that to be a Christian is not for the timid . Its hard,its dangerous. They say men like to be challenged , they like to feel alive . Well embracing the life changing gospel of Christ will place one into the firing lines of the world who hate Jesus , hates the word of God . Men need to see the grand picture , the epic struggle we are in . That Jesus Christ is a coming king .
These are just a few things that I think could help. Coming to Christ is not about being a better person or getting in touch with your inner child . It is realizing your sinfulness , your depravity before a holy God . It is looking at the cross and marvel at the fact that God the son , Jesus Christ became sin for us , that we may be saved by His blood. That the Holy Spirit awakens dead sinners to life , and empowers us to live a new .
One of the titles Jesus uses to describe himself is of a shepherd.
[11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
(John 10:11 ESV)
A shepherds life was hard. Isolated,tough , wrought with danger.Sometimes they had to defend the flock against wild animals and thieves. Well Jesus was no limp wrist Savior. As our great Shepherd He defeated the devil,sin,death and delivered us from wrath and certainty of hell .
Preach the truth and men will realize that the Church is not a place the women take children to learn morals. But a place where God meets His people in the epic truth of redeeming a people to worship Him . May we recapture the grand truths . That will satisfy women,children and men.
Not all is gloom and doom. There is a whole new awakening in doctrine and the reformation truths happening. Plus many solid ministries reaching men with the gospel . So where have all the good men gone ? No where , they are still here and will lead the Church again with strength and a servants heart.
1 comment:
Thank you, Reg. What we need is more godly men in the Church. That will only happen if they don't feel that they're at a self help meeting or watching a day time talk show about their feelings, yuck.
I'm just going to say this once. The husband is the head of the household. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Let me explain. In any professional sport, when the team keeps losing, who gets fired? The coach because he's responsible to lead his team to victory.
As the wife, I have to answer for my actions towards my hubby and children. However, my hubby has to answer for not just his actions but also mine and the boys. It is so serious that it is one of the requirements for a minister that HIS household be well behaved and respect him. If he cannot lead his own household, how can he lead the church?
My final shocking thing to say is "Women get out of the pulpit", it is not your place. You can do anything else. The very wifely gifts, that God gave us, Satan used against us in Eden. Satan went after Eve, not Adam. But, instead of protecting her, he allowed it. That's why Adam was punished as well, read Genesis 3. So, we do not go into the pulpit because it is to protect men from both our Aquilles' heel.
Men are men and women are women. If a man is kind and thoughtful it does not mean he's in touch with his feminine side. That comment always makes me laugh, at the irony of it. Trust me, at the most feminine time of a woman's month, she's not any of that.
If we use our God ordained talents, to serve Him in His Church, it will have a far reaching affect in the world around us. Love you, Mrs Reg
PS: I always enjoy the fishing pictures that our Pastor Bob shows off of his annual trip with his son. When he preaches the Word, he hits it out of the park. Best of all, he knows what that sports metaphor means.
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