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.
Doesn't the Institutional churches get it yet? NO!
Some have and started additional home meetings, which is a help.
But at least some on here should see, that it is time for REFORM.
I don't know how that is to happen, I wouldn't know how to go about it. But I don't believe it will happen until the Persecution starts.
The HEAD is sick. And the BODY keeps trying to feed it. I'm talking about the Institutional HEADQUARTERS.
Doesn't the Institutional churches get it yet? NO!
Some have and started additional home meetings, which is a help.
But at least some on here should see, that it is time for REFORM.
I don't know how that is to happen, I wouldn't know how to go about it. But I don't believe it will happen until the Persecution starts.
The HEAD is sick. And the BODY keeps trying to feed it. I'm talking about the Institutional HEADQUARTERS.
Renee, do you attend a home church? are you part of that kind of structure?
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
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.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
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.
Miss B - the eloquence and truth of your response struck a resounding chord with me. In fact, our family has turned to house church for the very reasons mentioned above... in house church we don't have to sit and listen to music that we don't agree with doctrinally, we don't have to watch the fashion show and feel that we can't compare, we don't have to listen to one man speak in a monologue, who can't be interrupted, and asked to clarify or to even just ask a question... and our husbands are in their rightful place according to NT scripture, leading their home in prayer, worship, and doctrine.
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.
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.
Last edited by Michael The Disciple; 10-01-2013 at 07:14 PM.
Hybrid Mode
