Recently I began reading a book called “Why Men Hate Going to Church” by David Murrow. In it, he speaks about why men hate church and one of the reasons he gives is what he calls the “feminization of the church”. In other words, much of the church is geared toward females. The language used, the programs offered, the studies available, all seem geared primarily to the ladies. All seem based upon the development of relationships, family, and how to properly grow in each area.
All of these things are important and good. The problem is that when that is the only message given to the church it leaves out a great deal of men. Why? Because men do not respond well to such language. It bores them. They simply cannot relate. What this book is teaching me is the importance of language. Men need to be given a calling in life and a call towards goals, accomplishments, and adventure.
Throughout my life, this has always been the case. I played football because I wanted to be good at it. I worked hard throughout high school and college to prove to myself and many others who thought it couldn't be done, that I could play college football. Then I stepped into the workforce and wouldn't you know it, I sought accomplishments there too. I entered into computer programming because it was such a challenge, especially because when I graduated college my degree was in Marketing! Later I completed a marathon and went to seminary. Why? Because at each stage of my life I needed and wanted adventure. I wanted to go against all odds and complete something that no one else thought I could do. I wanted to accomplish something that even I wasn't sure I could do.
Erwin McManus said that “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not from God. God will not give you a dream that you can accomplish alone.” This is at the heart of every man. A desire for adventure and accomplishment.
And this is the language of men. If you want to change the heart of a man, you’ve got to call him to a life of adventure and sacrifice, a life in which he will risk it all for a greater purpose. And Christianity is such a call. Jesus called 12 ordinary men, primarily fishermen, to become radical followers of his. He called them to leave their lives of catching fish and to catch “men” (Mk 1:17). He called them to go to war and advance what He referred to as the Kingdom of God. He called men to dream big, risk it all, and find fulfillment in adventures and accomplishments that can only be achieved when the God of the Universe is on your side.
This is the call that all men need to hear. This is the language that speaks to their heart and mine. This is the upward call of Christ Jesus and the fulfillment of the deep, inner, longing that every man has to become something greater and achieve something incredible. This is the life that Jesus calls each of us to and this is the language He uses to call all men homeward to Him.
