Good Afternoon Church,
As many of you know, this Saturday (September 11) is our first Men's Muster at SHCC at 8 AM! Since we've announced it, I've gotten quite a few questions about this. I think underneath is mostly a more nagging question, which is "Why?". Why bother with a men's ministry? Why should a Church have a men's ministry? Men are not the only people in the church. In fact, they are the minority. In my experience, men are less vocal about their opinions in church than women. Men don't like to sing as much. Men typically don't like sermons as much as women. Men are usually working, so getting them involved at church is harder. Typically women's ministry and children's ministry are better attended. Why bother? Here are a few reasons: - Approximately 61% of churchgoers are female (compared with 39% male) - Men are much less likely to be religiously active than women, only 1% are involved in a significant way beyond Sunday service. - In families where the fathers do not go to the church, only 2% of the children end up attending church. When the father does attend church, approx 77% of children are more likely to be involved in church at some level. - 70% of young men abandon the church in their teenage years (especially without older male role models). Quite simply, it is long-term suicide for a church to ignore these problems. Add on to this the fact that many of the chronic complexities of our community (drug use, alcoholism, unemployment, homelessness, violence, fatherlessness, etc.) are mostly caused by men. Quite simply, we are living in a culture where men are left to their own devices, infantilized, and allowed to remain perpetually adolescent. They are not called to something greater, higher, and better. They are not men, but, as one pastor says, "boys who can shave." And, worst of all, women and children pay the price. If we are going to be a church that is not simply reactive to the problems of our community, but proactive, we need to buck these cultural trends. The reality is we need to challenge, disciple, and commission men because we care about the women and children. It is not too much to say that a church that does not prioritize discipling men is a church that does not care about women and children. But most importantly, we need to disciple men because God cares about men. "Male and female he created them" (Gen 1:27). "Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely." (Prov 28:5) "Act like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:25) God is not revolted by manhood. He loves it. He created it. Just like he did with womanhood. It is good and glorious and part of his precious design. Broken, yes. But also restored through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, do you care about this church? Do you care about this community? Do you care about the spiritual well-being of your family? In Christ, Pastor Matt |
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Address5401 Madison Ave
Anderson, IN 46013 |
ServicesSunday School :: 9 AM
Sunday Service :: 10:30 AM |