Posted on 08/03/2020 1:11:21 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow, explores the elements of American church life that discourage attendance and engagement of men.
His conclusion? Churches have shifted toward a style that is comfortable for the stereotypical woman—at the expense of the stereotypical man. And by men, Murrow is referring to masculine men: high achievers, alpha males, risk takers, visionaries...
Murrow points to four categories of church elements that clash with the temperament of most unchurched men.
1. Church makes men feel uncomfortable because it emphasizes feminine values
For example, sentimental songs that celebrate the intimacy of relationship with Jesus Christ bring a more feminine style of worship...
2. Church forces men to do things that they find uncomfortable
From asking men to sing in public, to sermons that are longer than the space between television commercials...
3. Men assume that church will require them to give up masculine traits
Murrow lists a number of men’s misconceptions about what they must give up to become part of a church. They assume church will make them “dorky” and “nerdy”—the equivalent of the evangelical Christian Ned Flanders from the Simpsons cartoon.
4. Church does not present a compelling model of leadership
One assumption that underlies much of Murrow’s thinking on leadership is that “If men are to return to Christ, they need strong, godly laymen to help them in their walk . . . For too long we have asked men to follow our teaching, our methods, and our theology. Men do not follow these things. I’ll say it again: men follow men.” It is difficult to argue with the premise that visionary leaders are the source of much change in this world. As a result, Murrow castigates the church for its inability to inspire men to greatness.
(Excerpt) Read more at 9marks.org ...
Praying is one of the most masculine things you can do IMO.
Had a Dad who did, so maybe that’s it.
Is this supposed to be a joke?
The role of the church is not to inspire men to (earthly) greatness, its to inspire men to salvation.
Another pile-o-crap!!
I think this has been recyceled through the years. I’ve seen it a number of times before.
Genesis 3:16b
The feminization of too many American churches has everything to do with it.
Starting with, of course, the unbiblical practice of women pastors and ministers.
“let the women keep silent in the churches” I Cor. 14:34
Many men don’t go to church because they have a rebellious ‘I’m in charge of my life. You can’t tell me what to do’ spirit. They are unwilling to sacrifice their weekend plans to attend a service, no less volunteer.
Well, OK...but why? :)
Then the music starts and the lyrics sound like thirteen-year-old girls in their bedroom talking about the cute boy Jesus down the street. I seem to remember hymns - where did they all go?
My stepson is a pastor trying to reinvigorate an older, dying church by appealing to new, younger members. He is a great speaker and people come just to hear him. But I struggle to make any theological/philosophical sense out of his sermons, which sometimes offer good advice but on a Dr. Phil level.
Women have it too.
Wrong reason to go but:
Sunday morning when we go down to church
See the menfolk standin’ in line
I said they come to pray to the Lord
With my little girl, looks so fine
My ideal church would meet outdoors on a mountain top or by a babbling brook full of bass, tout and/or catfish.
It would be about 80% music and 20% sermonizing and last about half an hour. Sort of like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir program Music and the Spoken Word. I always come away from that program feeling uplifted and they don't pass a collection plate. They just need to move the venue outdoors. But there is enough outdoor scenery on the program to give me the general feel.
Because the service has gone to Hell in a hand basket?
I meet with men from various churches and some non-churched men to discuss walking the Christian Walk. We’ve been doing this twice weekly for 20 years.
Hey, hey, what can you do?
Modern day churchianity has feminized Christianity just like the school system does.
Jesus was not a sunken chested, scrawny, wimp.
He was a carpenter, who was probably ripped from all the physical exercise, and who made a whip of cords and drove the money changers out of the Temple on two occasions. He’s the man’s man who faced the cross, KNOWING ahead of time what He would be going through, and did it anyways.
He’s the God of Scripture who is know as a *Man of War*.
We have to get over the *let people walk all over you* version of Christianity based on a large part on a misreading of Jesus’ admonition to turn the other cheek.
I don’t blame men for not wanting to be part of church when church has become something that expects them to check their masculinity at the door.
I could do without the loud rock concert atmosphere.
I’ll be happy with two hours of fire and brimstone sermons.
Someone is going to the wrong church...
Hogwash.
I’m a high achiever (attorney), alpha male, risk takers, and visionary. Jesus love for me means a whole lot.
These people think the 12 aposltes were a bunch of wimps? Except for maybe one, they all died so as not to deny that Name That Is Above All Names. The Apostle John, “the Son of Thunder” was “the Disciple who Jesus loved” and leaned on his chest at suppertime. This was not a wimp or a fag but a man’s man who embraced the love of God in Christ.
This is a bunch of misdirected nonsense. Real grown-up masculinity is strong but also loves.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I put away childish things...and now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.”
1 Cor. 13:11,13.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.