7 Things that Men Need
2Timothy 2:2
While traveling to visit our family, about a month ago, my wife and I tuned into a book revue session. The book was centered on the reasons that many churches lack a balance of male and female attendance. The author had focused his attention on the reasons that men don't like to go to church.
Then a couple of weeks I opened up The "Pastor's Weekly Breifing" and H. B. London was discussing the same thing. He cited 2 Timothy 2:2 and gave these seven needs that men need to have filled to be properly assimilated to the congregation of any church.
1. A safe place
Men need to understand that what they do or say will not be held against them or talked about with the outside world.
2. A clear compelling vision of biblical manhood
Many biblical themes are available to be presented to emphisise the proper ways that men should behave when facing the challenges of life. These need to be used frequently in ministering to men.
3. Time with other men
Men need to spend quality time with other men to develop solid relationships. Men develop relationships by praying, working, playing, studying, eating, and traveling together. This list could go on for some time but it will always involve doing something because men are defined and define themselves by what they do.
4. Practical "how to's"
Men will often skip the assembly manual, but when all else fails to work they need to look at why this isn't working. They do benefit from a list of steps to take in structuring life acttions like prayer, developing and maintaining relationships, avoiding sin, and the list goes on.
5. Male cheerleaders
Men do like the women in their lives to encourage them to do well in sports, business, and work. However, there is something even more assuring in the confirmation by another man, be it fater, son, relative, freind or co-worker. When my dad gave me his approval in a task completed I felt as high as a kite. When the other guys on the team would give me high-fives for a good play I made it was like my feet would never touch the ground.
6. Sacred moments
I don't agree with those who say, "Men don't have the deep feelings that women have." Men do have deep emotions, but they tend to feel the need to disguise and hide there emotions from those who might use these 'tender times' against them. The men I know who feel secure where they worship openly express their emotions in prayer, song, and discussion. However, if we are going to see men worship and experience 'Sacred moments' we will need to purposely present the opportunity to them by giving them biblical examples and personal roll-models.
7. A posetive relationship with Jesus Christ
You can fill in all the above, but if this is lacking the rest is in vain. Without A posetive personal relationship with Jesus Christ anyone can, invalidly, feel safe. He can cite every biblical passage that desribes godly manhood. He can spend 'time with the boys.' He can file list after list of 'how tos' and even follow them to the letter. He can have all the guys on the team and in the business give him high-fives and sing songs about his various accomplishments. He can have meaningful moment after meaningful moment and call them sacred, but if he doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ he is still wandering down the road to hell. He will misdefine and misinterpret everything that takes place and he will still be lost.
Every man, woman, and child needs Jesus.
Adapted from "Pastors Weekly Breifing"
While traveling to visit our family, about a month ago, my wife and I tuned into a book revue session. The book was centered on the reasons that many churches lack a balance of male and female attendance. The author had focused his attention on the reasons that men don't like to go to church.
Then a couple of weeks I opened up The "Pastor's Weekly Breifing" and H. B. London was discussing the same thing. He cited 2 Timothy 2:2 and gave these seven needs that men need to have filled to be properly assimilated to the congregation of any church.
1. A safe place
Men need to understand that what they do or say will not be held against them or talked about with the outside world.
2. A clear compelling vision of biblical manhood
Many biblical themes are available to be presented to emphisise the proper ways that men should behave when facing the challenges of life. These need to be used frequently in ministering to men.
3. Time with other men
Men need to spend quality time with other men to develop solid relationships. Men develop relationships by praying, working, playing, studying, eating, and traveling together. This list could go on for some time but it will always involve doing something because men are defined and define themselves by what they do.
4. Practical "how to's"
Men will often skip the assembly manual, but when all else fails to work they need to look at why this isn't working. They do benefit from a list of steps to take in structuring life acttions like prayer, developing and maintaining relationships, avoiding sin, and the list goes on.
5. Male cheerleaders
Men do like the women in their lives to encourage them to do well in sports, business, and work. However, there is something even more assuring in the confirmation by another man, be it fater, son, relative, freind or co-worker. When my dad gave me his approval in a task completed I felt as high as a kite. When the other guys on the team would give me high-fives for a good play I made it was like my feet would never touch the ground.
6. Sacred moments
I don't agree with those who say, "Men don't have the deep feelings that women have." Men do have deep emotions, but they tend to feel the need to disguise and hide there emotions from those who might use these 'tender times' against them. The men I know who feel secure where they worship openly express their emotions in prayer, song, and discussion. However, if we are going to see men worship and experience 'Sacred moments' we will need to purposely present the opportunity to them by giving them biblical examples and personal roll-models.
7. A posetive relationship with Jesus Christ
You can fill in all the above, but if this is lacking the rest is in vain. Without A posetive personal relationship with Jesus Christ anyone can, invalidly, feel safe. He can cite every biblical passage that desribes godly manhood. He can spend 'time with the boys.' He can file list after list of 'how tos' and even follow them to the letter. He can have all the guys on the team and in the business give him high-fives and sing songs about his various accomplishments. He can have meaningful moment after meaningful moment and call them sacred, but if he doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ he is still wandering down the road to hell. He will misdefine and misinterpret everything that takes place and he will still be lost.
Every man, woman, and child needs Jesus.
Adapted from "Pastors Weekly Breifing"
posted by Pastor Al at 5:23 PM
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