On a
cellular level, men and women are not even on the same planet. Not just the
obvious physiological differences but in ways not as easily recognized. For
instance, every muscle fiber in a man’s body has 50% more brute strength (fiber
per fiber) than the average woman’s. The average man has a lung capacity that
is about 30% greater than the average woman (the reason woman tend to faint
more easily), giving him a much higher consistency of oxygenated blood. This
super-charged blood allows him to have greater stamina, energy, and endurance.
Since this is true, our very bodies make it clearly obvious that God has
created us men to guard, protect, lead, defend, and be the hero in times of
danger and threat. It’s not that women can’t be strong or develop endurance; it’s
just that they are not as genetically fashioned to do so. So here is my point –
Since men are
designed to provide heroic leadership and protection, should not the Church
provide the best training grounds for such development? We should be a
Hero-Factory!
Ok, reality
check – my opinion on this topic written in this blog is not going to make any
difference in the grand scheme of things. I can’t make a significant shift on a
western, church-culture paradigm with a simple 5-paragraph opinion column, but
if I can at least get some of you thinking on how to “undo” the damage to the
male psyche by our current trends, I will certainly put this in the “win”
column! I have been talking with a friend (Al Stone) that has given his
lifelong, ministerial energies to seeing Men’s Ministries develop and become an
established vehicle in each church. He has expressed a concern that the need
for such training as well as the opportunities for men to have an outlet for
using their unique gifts has grown to a dangerous level the last several years.
Well, I agree with Al, and I would at least like to give some ideas that can
help create an environment that will allow some ‘Davids’ to be birthed,
developed, and freed to defeat the Goliaths in our current era.
My earlier
blogs touched on the focus of our contemporary worship services and how they
tend to leave out the manly man. I’m not going to get on a rant here, but at
least look at your music selection and make sure there are some “token” manly
songs included. Try not to repeat phrases over and over to elicit an emotional
response. Men are uncomfortable in that arena. Sing it a couple of times and go
to another song. Preach strong
doctrine to men. Stop diluting the tough standards and directives from the
Scriptures to men that need and desire to be spoken to firmly and
unapologetically. Every David needs a Nathan that will point their finger in
our face and declare, “Thou art the man!”
Strong preaching will create strong leadership from your men! We NEED tough
messages that get in our face!
Here is a
suggestion that I have some experience with and a passion for seeing implemented.
Try to develop ministry opportunities that allow men to use their giftedness,
interests, and muscle. For instance, create a construction team that uses
mission’s moneys to help rebuild porches, walkways, simple home repairs, or
additions for single moms, seniors, or someone that is less fortunate. A car
ministry team that has a special day each month to change oil, do simple repairs,
etc. for widows, single moms, and the less fortunate in your church and
community. Have a team of men that teach marksmanship for bow and gun to
younger boys. Provide annual father/son camping adventures with fishing,
hunting, and survival techniques emphasized. Have men with experience or
knowledge in a particular sport provide lessons for up and coming young men so to
give them an advantage when they begin tryouts. Coordinate the classes to begin right before
each season (example – ‘baseball basics’ on Saturday afternoons in February,
basketball fundamentals in September), using men with experience, talent, and a
willingness to invest in kids.
We need our
heroes. There has been a glut in the Goliath market, in every sector, every
community. Let’s provide the Lord a place to raise up a host of Davids to match
them. If every church viewed their
men and the men in their community as mighty warriors looking for a place to do
battle against immeasurable odds … well, we might just do things differently.
We ought to be a hero-factory!