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On Reaching Men

I am a man and I am also a Christian.  That being said, there are several reasons why I disagree (though not 100%) with this article.

First, I do not believe that ANY minister should have to cater to the cultural interests and tendancies of any people group.  However, I do agree that you shouldn't do anything that outright is offensive in their culture (like showing the bottom of your foot to those in India).  Being all things to all people does NOT mean being "culturally sensitive."  Men in the USA are indeed their own culture, but by no means do I have to conform the gospel message to apply to them, because it ALREADY applies to them.

I am NOT against going to where the people are, becuase that is necessary!  However, the greatest need in this country is someone to preach the Gospel--all of it!  Don't preach pure judgment and don't preach only grace.  We must offer the FULL counsel of God.  Look at how Paul did it in the New Testament.  Replicate that.  Missional strategies of today lack passion and power.  Men are passionate about what they believe and they will NOT follow anything lacking power.  Get the Lord to give you both of those--passion and power  The greatest problem I have seen in my own strategies is that I try to create a Fraternal/Brotherhood feeling to keep those guys together.  If the Holy Spirit is not keeping them together, then it is fleshly.  That's that.

Small groups are great--for Christians.  You can't moralize a person into Christianity, or else they just go to hell in the end.  I like the idea of small groups.  I hate the idea of small groups filled with lost people who are being moralized rather than given the actual Gospel in a demonstration of Spirit and Power.

I am not against acting like men--as long as it's biblically based, but I am against Humanistic, American-Manhood with a Biblical twist.  If ALL you ever do is go to where the men of this country are and teach them how to act like a Christian, but they never repent and believe and it never penetrates their hobbies, their families, their work, and their very thoughts, than either they have rejected the Gospel or you have been preaching a lie.

If you want to attract men, act like one.  Being a man does NOT equal fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.  Being a man equals loving your wife, children, and especially Lord your God with everything you are.  Do those things, get your congregation to do those things, and teach them to seek the Lord with everything they are and you will get somewhere.  How do I know?  America is NOT the only country on this earth.  Men act completely different there than here.  This is a cultural issue under the guise of a spiritual one.  Think About it.

Disclaimer:  I am not perfect.  If you don't agree with me, that's awesome.  But seek the Lord with all your heart and pray for me to know the Lord more, too.

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