Why Men Hate Going to Church Week 6 Reflections
Hey Guys, thank you for a great 6-week study on "Why Men Hate Going to Church." We had a total of 35 guys stop by for at least one week. We had some very fruitful discussions not only on the challenges the Christian Church faces today with men but also some solutions and even how you might be part of those. We heard a lot of good suggestions from you all which we will digest further with our men's committee (a.k.a. The Guy Squad). Here are my final reflections and as always, I welcome your comments below.
"What About Women" addresses the misnomer that if we do things to specifically attract men it will turn off women. Murrow says it's the opposite. Women will stay in fact they will probably like church more, especially the young women. He points to women who easily cross over into men's roles and do so with delight saying women who conquer traditionally male roles are held up as models. As one of our participants said if more men get involve that means more people overall and the church is growing and everyone (men and women) should like that.
POSITIVE STEP: Murrow also said we need guys in leadership at all levels of the church. So the next time your pastor asks you... :)
"Young Men and Faith" might be the most important chapter in the book. There's a great chart on p. 184 that highlights the various factors that influenced men's faith. They surveyed 88 guys and found 11 said their mothers (1 in 8), 21 said their fathers (1 in 4), and a whopping 32 said male mentors (1 in 3)! These are men of faith that aren't necessarily the boys' fathers. Guys, that's us!!
POSITIVE STEP: Mentor a young man in the church. Show interest. Talk to them at church. Model your faith by your presence in worship and faith activities. Murrow says the best thing you can do for your own tiger cubs is to consistently implant the idea that church is a guy thing. You want him to see that men are just as involved in the church as women - or even more so.
"Men, Prayer, and a Few Other Things" encouraged men to try to pray conversationally just like you would talk to anyone else. We also had a funny demonstration on the acceptable ways to man-hug shoulder-to-shoulder and the handshake and half hug with the patented back slap. There's also an interesting nugget on prayer helping your sex life on p. 196. I'm serious. Check it out!
POSITIVE STEP: Trying praying tonight even if it's been a while. Just talk to God like you would your mom or dad. He's listening and he cares!
"How Men Minister to Others," "How to Minister to Men," and "A Church for Everyone" dealt a lot with how those of us who work in the church reach out to men. My take away: Guys have trouble making friends in general but also in church. A study among Methodist men who attend church every Sunday showed just 28% had a close male friend who knows or supports him.
POSITIVE STEP: Make a friend at church. Ask for a guy's number you met through this study. Do something socially just once: have a beer, attend worship at the same time, get the families together for dinner. All these things will help you and help the church grow in our efforts to reach men.
In Christ,
-Pr. Craig
"What About Women" addresses the misnomer that if we do things to specifically attract men it will turn off women. Murrow says it's the opposite. Women will stay in fact they will probably like church more, especially the young women. He points to women who easily cross over into men's roles and do so with delight saying women who conquer traditionally male roles are held up as models. As one of our participants said if more men get involve that means more people overall and the church is growing and everyone (men and women) should like that.
POSITIVE STEP: Murrow also said we need guys in leadership at all levels of the church. So the next time your pastor asks you... :)
"Young Men and Faith" might be the most important chapter in the book. There's a great chart on p. 184 that highlights the various factors that influenced men's faith. They surveyed 88 guys and found 11 said their mothers (1 in 8), 21 said their fathers (1 in 4), and a whopping 32 said male mentors (1 in 3)! These are men of faith that aren't necessarily the boys' fathers. Guys, that's us!!
POSITIVE STEP: Mentor a young man in the church. Show interest. Talk to them at church. Model your faith by your presence in worship and faith activities. Murrow says the best thing you can do for your own tiger cubs is to consistently implant the idea that church is a guy thing. You want him to see that men are just as involved in the church as women - or even more so.
"Men, Prayer, and a Few Other Things" encouraged men to try to pray conversationally just like you would talk to anyone else. We also had a funny demonstration on the acceptable ways to man-hug shoulder-to-shoulder and the handshake and half hug with the patented back slap. There's also an interesting nugget on prayer helping your sex life on p. 196. I'm serious. Check it out!
POSITIVE STEP: Trying praying tonight even if it's been a while. Just talk to God like you would your mom or dad. He's listening and he cares!
"How Men Minister to Others," "How to Minister to Men," and "A Church for Everyone" dealt a lot with how those of us who work in the church reach out to men. My take away: Guys have trouble making friends in general but also in church. A study among Methodist men who attend church every Sunday showed just 28% had a close male friend who knows or supports him.
In Christ,
-Pr. Craig
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