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Esaias 10-01-2013 06:13 PM

Why men hate church
 
Interesting article on the subject of the feminization of the church:

http://magazine.biola.edu/article/06...of-the-church/

Quote:

The leaders of a new, Christian movement think they’ve solved a centuries-old mystery: why men are absent from church. But their answer isn’t politically correct.

They believe Christianity has become feminized.

There are generally more women than men in every type of church, in every part of the world, according to church growth experts like Patrick Johnstone, author of Operation World.

A traditional explanation is that women are more spiritual than men. But the leaders of this new movement suggest that the church’s music, messages and ministries cater to women. One of the leaders is David Murrow, author of a provocative book Why Men Hate Going to Church (Nelson Books), who spoke with Biola Connections.

The result of this feminization is that many men, even Christian men, view churches as “ladies clubs” and don’t go — or they often go to please their wives.

RandyWayne 10-01-2013 06:15 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
Hey, in my limited experience the only reason most men even go to church is to meet women. Take that away, and what reason is there?

MissBrattified 10-01-2013 06:25 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
Good article with some very valid points. I also wonder about the idea that traditional church has robbed men of their natural authority. Instead of being a setting where men can meet and discuss scripture--or even church business--on an equal level, it's often more of the single-man government structure. Men would be more apt to be involved in church if they had more say-so over what goes on there and if teaching/preaching was more interactive and inclusive. The modern church structure where the pastor does most of the teaching/preaching and everyone simply listens is similar to me to the NT women being told to ask their husbands questions at home.

E.g., it's more of a passive, possibly feminine way of learning. Scripture seems to show that *church* in the local synagogue was different, with men taking an active role in the reading of scriptures and discussion.

I'm not for oppressing women in the church, but I do agree that men have been pushed into a passive, emasculating role. In the past, women have been accustomed to submissive, passive roles, so it was easy for them to fit into the traditional church picture. Men, not so much.

Essais, this is probably a place where "house-church" excels--it levels the playing field and makes church authority a little less intimidating. :)

Michael The Disciple 10-01-2013 07:10 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
If they hate Church which is a questionable statement......could it be because they are presented a steady diet of milk or even water of the word? Never any meat? Never the challenge to be like the ultimate man Jesus Christ?

The reason I do not attend Church is simple. Theres not enough truth taught to make it worthwhile. Almost everything taught at least foundationally is taught wrong. So I would LIKE to go to Church.

My prayer is God please let me find the true Church or at least a worthwhile Church before I die.

seekerman 10-01-2013 07:23 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1279223)
Interesting article on the subject of the feminization of the church:

http://magazine.biola.edu/article/06...of-the-church/

One of the issues is with men not being a leader spiritually in home or the church so women step up and do it.

houston 10-01-2013 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple (Post 1279228)
If they hate Church which is a questionable statement......could it be because they are presented a steady diet of milk or even water of the word? Never any meat? Never the challenge to be like the ultimate man Jesus Christ? The reason I do not attend Church is simple. Theres not enough truth taught to make it worthwhile. Almost everything taught at least foundationally is taught wrong. So I would LIKE to go to Church. My prayer is God please let me find the true Church or at least a worthwhile Church before I die.

I agree with much of this.

houston 10-01-2013 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekerman (Post 1279231)
One of the issues is with men not being a leader spiritually in home or the church so women step up and do it.

In some places men have their leadership cut off and placed in the offering basket. There are MANY churches where the pastor is the LEADER of peoples homes.

seekerman 10-01-2013 07:58 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by houston (Post 1279233)
There are MANY churches where the pastor is the LEADER of peoples homes.

True. I have relatives in situations like that.

houston 10-01-2013 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekerman (Post 1279235)
True. I have relatives in situations like that.

I had a pastor who said that if the husband is not in church then he (the pastor) is her spiritual authority. Blah blah blah

RandyWayne 10-01-2013 09:43 PM

Re: Why men hate church
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by houston (Post 1279233)
In some places men have their leadership cut off and placed in the offering basket. There are MANY churches where the pastor is the LEADER of peoples homes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekerman (Post 1279235)
True. I have relatives in situations like that.


That was our house, at least for several years during the dark time of the 80's.


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