== Endangered species: The Christian Man ==
And then the sword slices inward…
I have heard alot from women who have been telling me that christian men are hard to find. It’s like we’ve all gone underground, AWOL… completely MIA. At first I was angry… thinking of all those who refuse or will not walk the path of Christ. But then, slowly but surely, I had to examine my own heart. What does it take to be a Godly man? and do I have what it takes to be one? Who am I to speak of God taking men out of churches?
I’ve come to the following conclusions. I do see that men are missing from church. From my standpoint, I realize that I am not really welcoming to men into my inner circle and that the men in my cirle tend to be in touch with their feminine side. It has been brought to my attention that the actions I take and the activities I do are female-friendly. Never really saw it from that perspective, gotta remember to thank that brother. Guys are about sports, athletics, cars… and chasing women. So I’ve got about 1.5 out of 4. But if men are an unreached segment somehow, then perhaps it is worth looking into. Another pal said that perhaps men are missing because women are stepping into the leadership positions in the church which are traditionally male… but that’s a whole other can of worms.
Anyway, as for me, I’ve decided I need to learn how to become more manly. Not this stupid macho man stuff, but authentic-Jesus-manliness. That’s the only way I’m going to learn how to better serve my fellow man.
Dad, would you please make a man out of me? I haven’t the foggiest clue what that means, but I figure you know alot more about it than me. Help me to grow into the man I was made to be. Thank you for this wonderful, rainy, dreary… FRIDAY! I ask this in the name of the MAN, Jesus. Amen.
P.S. None of that metrosexual business either !!!
=). i guess the question is what does biblical manhood look like? our culture offers a lot of perspective of what being a man means, but i would definitely search scripture for more wisdom =). hmm, for some reason guys in my fellowship at penn state really liked the book “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge. A suggestion to check out =). i also have this book called “Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood” by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. If you are interested, I do have both those books you can borrow. Since i am sorta in the area. let me know.
i agree with your pal about women stepping up in leadership positions. i was reading somewhere how women can do their part by encouraging men to step up rather than choosing to lead on their own. it could be another cultural push to not trust men and believe that we women can do it on our own. but we forget that God has created us differently and we do need the men to lead us, even if our perfectionist attitudes don’t like their style of leadership.
hehe, i guess your topic has been something that has been on my heart during this past summer. reflecting back at my years at psu, i feel guilty for not encouraging the brothers more in stepping up rather than criticizing them in my heart.
but i feel ya, it is a burden to see that men are missing in the church. honestly, it’s weird how much “power” men do have if they lead. like i think back to even having males as teachers…creates a different atmosphere. could be just me. haha, i can go on and on on this topic.
i am continually encouraged by your desire to live a life that is pleasing to God. keep pressing on bro. and don’t be afraid to step out in faith and take lead in situations God will place you in. of course lead with humility =).
Ooo.. you hit a sore spot, even for women. You remember that “O brother where are thou?” article?
I see the curse of The Fall played out so clearly within the church and in society in general. The enemy loves to confuse and distort the truth of who we are and who we’re meant to be: men and women of God, equal in status but uniquely beautiful in our roles. We can dig around for reasons why there are a shortage of Godly men in churches (worldwide), but ultimately we know that it’s sin that’s keeping us from reaching our full potential. We need prayer, we need the Word, we need Jesus.
Amen! There’s nothin’ like a band of brothers hangin together in the light of Christ’s love and grace. You da man! :headbanger: God bless ya!
sup i cant read
pr•ps…
hallo..yep, i’ll drop the book off next time i’m in the area..u have a mailbox that i could put it in? usually if i’m in the area, it’s early..and you might be at work?
:typing: Amen.
To become a Godly man, that’s tough. Ever read “The Silence of Adam”…I heard its an awesome book on why men aren’t Godly but must work towards it.
hi.. it’s like a cantonese way of saying baby… hope all is well with u.
A couple of things…I dont’ necessarily think it’s wrong for women to be in leadership, but is it wrong from men not to step up? probably. Yes, can of worms has been opened. It IS Biblical…look at the strong women leaders in the Bible and precedents for such. However, I also dont’ necessarily think it’s wrong for you to think more like a “girl”. Is it dangerous for you to spend all your time just with girls, probably, but that being said, you shouldn’t feel like you have to engage in the “big 4” in order to fit in with the guys either (scarily enough I can pick out which 1.5 you are on the list 😉 hehehe although I might have the 1 and the .5 ones switched)…