We have all heard it. In order to get the whole family involved in the church, in every way, we must "market to women and program for men." Why? Women are statistically the most likely to try out a church and will get involved first. But, it's not until their husband begins to come regularly and begins to really catch the vision, that the family gets fully engaged.
I've ran across much writing on this topic but recently found this blog post to be very interesting. Read on …
What's it Going to Take?
So Jesus chose twelve guys to do ministry with him and ultimately focused much of his time on three of the twelve. The gospels tell us what they did and said over the course of the three years they spent together. Jesus dies, is buried and is resurrected. After his resurrection he spends time with the guys he chose as well as others who followed him telling all of them what they were supposed to do once he was no longer around. After he goes to heaven, his followers begin doing the work he gave them to do. From the book of Acts through Revelation we read about the work done by Peter, Paul, John, Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila, Phoebe, Lydia, Timothy and many others. Men and women were with Jesus, men and women were saved, and men and women went out and shared the gospel.
Lately, there’s been lots of talk in church world I can’t get my mind around. I’ve read and heard a lot about how we need to reach men, the church has been feminized, if we reach the men, we reach the whole family. I’d be lying if I didn’t say this ruffles my feathers and makes my heart start to pound out of my chest! Here’s what I can’t figure out. If men have led the church since the very beginning, Jesus, 12 disciples, Paul, Peter, John, Constantine, Luther, Calvin, the Popes, Dr. King, Billy Graham and so on, why is it men still aren’t attending, giving, serving? There have been some amazing male spiritual leaders down through history, what’s missing? Why are men still absent? If men have been leading the church for 2000+ years what needs to change so that more men become passionate about Jesus and the church?
It saddens and frustrates me that we have to focus more on one gender when we are doing ministry; that we can’t just focus on people. But after speaking my mind to the men I do ministry with and talking to my female friends, I think I’m beginning to understand. If we don’t have men actively participating in the life of the church, half of God’s creation isn’t doing the work Jesus left for us to do. The church needs to be led and developed and shared by both men and women.
Guys, what’s it going to take? What’s it going to take for you to grasp how living a life completely devoted to Jesus is the most masculine, kick butt thing you can do? Jesus wasn’t a sissy; he was out there in the muck and the mire doing God’s work. We need more guys like him, right now, in the muck and mire doing God’s work too!
Terri Stone, at Her Road Back, does a great job of attacking and exploring the tough topics. Check out more of her stuff by clicking HERE.
