Man Up, Church

The future of any organization, community, country, or even church is frequently determined by what the men do. As the men go so goes the _____?_____ fill in the blank. Thankfully, women have often stood up when the men would not; especially in the church. Unfortunately, churches have seemed to either cater to women or just to not cater to men. For whatever reason many men have thought the church was more a place for a woman than for a man. While this may be another convenient male excuse there is some evidence for this. Just look at how most churches are decorated and compare that to every other thing out there attempting to attract an audience. Most churches (especially traditional ones) are either decorated by women or by the people that decorate funeral homes. But all restaurants and most everything else are decorated to get men to walk in the door. Name a restaurant that does not have a male theme, colors, items that attracts men. Look at commercials, billboards, ads...most are geared to men. It is as if the business world has figured out what the church has either refused to see or just can't see--get the men and you get everyone else.

I am convinced we have to appeal to and connect with men if we are going to reach everyone including men. Women will tolerate things geared to men much easier than men will for women. In fact I believe most women are hoping we will fix the men in their lives while guys are often hoping we won't mess their ladies up! The point is that a woman has a vested interest in anything that will help her husband and she will endure a lot to make it happen.

The message series that I am in right now is challenging the guys to Man Up and be all that God wants them to be. But I think churches needs to man up too. Name the women that Jesus pursued for spiritual growth? Now obviously there were women Jesus helped but they seemed to be come to Jesus while he was challenging the men. But Jesus began his ministry by pursuing 12 men to work with him. They were a cross section of blue collar and white collar, young and old, introverts and extroverts...but all men. Jesus pursued them, connected to them through their work, and called to them a great mission. And they responded with almost reckless devotion.

And the results are simply off the charts. Whatever The Crossing will be it has to connect with men and minister to them. We have to Man Up!