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Many
church leaders would like to do a better
job reaching men, but don't know how,
says a bestselling Christian author. But
a new program isn't the answer, he's
adds. How
do you attract and pump up men for
Jesus? David Murrow, author of
Why Men Hate
Going to Church, suggests
worship services with a masculine
accent.
Men are the world's largest unreached
people group, according to Church for
Men, founded by Murrow. They currently
make up less than 40 percent of church
attendants at a typical worship service.
Murrow argues that services are built
around feminine values with worship
songs that are sweet and sentimental and
sermons emphasizing the home, marriage
and family.
Men need more masculine imagery and more
opportunities for men to use their
skills, he says. They have their own
language, culture and unique needs.
Traditionally, a church that offers
men's ministry hosts breakfasts,
outreach and other programs.
Churches should have "a ministry to
men" rather than a men's ministry!
Church for Men encourages a different
approach. Although a men's ministry may
flourish as men act masculine only in
that context, when it comes to attending
church on Sunday, men often have to
"check their manhood at the door."
Rather than a separate men's ministry,
Church for Men promotes the integration
of a masculine spirit with church life.
And shorter is better when reaching men.
Church for Men recommends Sunday worship
services be wrapped up in one hour or
less.
Worship songs should also have lyrics
that men can relate to. While hymnals
are full of anthems for men, today's
praise songs, men prefer upbeat songs
and songs that do not repeat over and
over.
Avoid the overtly evangelistic message,
the organization recommends. The special
service is designed to change men's
perceptions, that it's boring or
irrelevant, of church.
Here's the wonderful truth about women:
they are comfortable with guy things.
And with one out of five married women
worshiping on Sundays without their
husbands, most women will gladly try
something new in order to attract their
husbands, sons and fathers to church.
Bottom line: give men some attention.
"Men have been neglected for years.
They're bone dry - but give them a
little personal attention and they grow
like mad,"
Churches that have more men in the
church (60 percent or more) are more
likely to be growing than those
dominated by women membership, a study
by Hartford Seminary found last
December.
"We're hoping churches will recapture the spirit of masculine involvement in the churches," says Granger
From an article by: Lillian
Kwon
Christian Post Reporter


