We have no language or context for what men are supposed to do outside of the home. Latter-day Saints have a men's group built into the Sunday worship services twice a month. These could be really amazing groups and I'm sure in some places they are. But in my experience, it's mostly a lethargic book club. Most men do not have the experience with a real men's group that would increase his vision or purpose.
Since most of the men are dutiful fathers and husbands, when the men's group meeting is over they leave and no thought is put into the men's group again by almost anyone until 2 weeks later at the next meeting. Everyone lives such disconnected and isolated lives they need reasons to come together and trust one another that aren't hokey or forced. This isn't universal in our church, but it's common enough to be a problem.
The article by Bradley is fascinating, but he does need to get reacquainted with the power of AND. The exposition of matrilinearity was very applicable, but telling us that the modern American Evangelical Church isn't feminized???
Try discussing concealed carry or other self-defense issues with your average evangelical pastor; or for a different aspect just count the percentage of Jesus The Boyfriend songs in your contemporary worship service. In general the Evangelical world is ALSO highly feminized.
I would submit that one of the tremendous men groups we have are church workdays. While all are invited to include women and children it is almost always exclusively men. When men who usually work in an office environment get together doing physical labor to maintain and improve our church grounds it is a great place to build relationships and bonds. Jokes abound and relationships are built and strengthened. If churches are not doing this, I would strongly recommend it.
True that. I like those better than the specifically men's events my church has. Last men's event had a potluck where we ate for an hour and then a guy turned on a 45-minute Matt Chandler sermon. I ducked out.
To the first paragraph, one of those things is not like the others: F3. I've shared before that I'm involved in F3 and while I don't think it will renew the American church by itself, I'd say we'd be getting somewhere if the typical Christian men's activity started to look more like F3 and less like sitting in a circle and talking about manhood.
I've seen F3 work positive change in men's lives, including getting some guys who were marginal church attenders more firmly attached to a church community.
The mission of F3 is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. Community is local and proximate. Stands to reason that men in F3 would step forward into the community, including their church. - James Gifford, Lotion, 27.
This is a great article. A huge obstacle to men forming their own groups is our anti-discrimination laws. It's hard to lead a charge up San Juan Hill if the unit is under attack by the government. The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of association, but that has been nullified by current law. I wonder if a Supreme Court petition is possible to allow men to form their own associations once again. This Supreme Court has shown itself to be willing to break with precedent which it considers unconstitutional.
We also have a reading group for all the men in the church that's a little more accessible. Our last book was actually yours, Chris (Man of the House), and right now we are reading through Jim Wilson's Principles of War (and discussing how to put those principles into practice in our lives and church, which makes the whole thing more action oriented). There's a lot more that could be done, but at least it is a start!
One thing that’s been beneficial for our church is a men’s only leadership reading group. We have fairly wide ranging discussion and read through serious books. Right now going through the Confessions.
For about a decade I led philosophy discussion group for men. We had about 5-12 guys most weeks. That’s obviously a pretty narrow subject, and an acquired taste. At the moment I’m working on a cigar lounge with a friend. He just bought a property that he’s planning on using for it. I’m getting in on the business side, as opposed to the real estate. Although I think I’ll have some involvement in getting the property renovated. Again, a narrow interest--but more blue collar.
We have no language or context for what men are supposed to do outside of the home. Latter-day Saints have a men's group built into the Sunday worship services twice a month. These could be really amazing groups and I'm sure in some places they are. But in my experience, it's mostly a lethargic book club. Most men do not have the experience with a real men's group that would increase his vision or purpose.
Since most of the men are dutiful fathers and husbands, when the men's group meeting is over they leave and no thought is put into the men's group again by almost anyone until 2 weeks later at the next meeting. Everyone lives such disconnected and isolated lives they need reasons to come together and trust one another that aren't hokey or forced. This isn't universal in our church, but it's common enough to be a problem.
The Boy Scouts are co-ed; that about sums up where things stand for male organizations.
The article by Bradley is fascinating, but he does need to get reacquainted with the power of AND. The exposition of matrilinearity was very applicable, but telling us that the modern American Evangelical Church isn't feminized???
Try discussing concealed carry or other self-defense issues with your average evangelical pastor; or for a different aspect just count the percentage of Jesus The Boyfriend songs in your contemporary worship service. In general the Evangelical world is ALSO highly feminized.
Go to libertarian events if you want to be in male-only spaces.
I would submit that one of the tremendous men groups we have are church workdays. While all are invited to include women and children it is almost always exclusively men. When men who usually work in an office environment get together doing physical labor to maintain and improve our church grounds it is a great place to build relationships and bonds. Jokes abound and relationships are built and strengthened. If churches are not doing this, I would strongly recommend it.
True that. I like those better than the specifically men's events my church has. Last men's event had a potluck where we ate for an hour and then a guy turned on a 45-minute Matt Chandler sermon. I ducked out.
To the first paragraph, one of those things is not like the others: F3. I've shared before that I'm involved in F3 and while I don't think it will renew the American church by itself, I'd say we'd be getting somewhere if the typical Christian men's activity started to look more like F3 and less like sitting in a circle and talking about manhood.
I've seen F3 work positive change in men's lives, including getting some guys who were marginal church attenders more firmly attached to a church community.
The mission of F3 is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. Community is local and proximate. Stands to reason that men in F3 would step forward into the community, including their church. - James Gifford, Lotion, 27.
This is a great article. A huge obstacle to men forming their own groups is our anti-discrimination laws. It's hard to lead a charge up San Juan Hill if the unit is under attack by the government. The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of association, but that has been nullified by current law. I wonder if a Supreme Court petition is possible to allow men to form their own associations once again. This Supreme Court has shown itself to be willing to break with precedent which it considers unconstitutional.
We also have a reading group for all the men in the church that's a little more accessible. Our last book was actually yours, Chris (Man of the House), and right now we are reading through Jim Wilson's Principles of War (and discussing how to put those principles into practice in our lives and church, which makes the whole thing more action oriented). There's a lot more that could be done, but at least it is a start!
One thing that’s been beneficial for our church is a men’s only leadership reading group. We have fairly wide ranging discussion and read through serious books. Right now going through the Confessions.
Are these Augustine's Confessions, the Lutheran Confessions, or other? Just curious.
Augustine.
For about a decade I led philosophy discussion group for men. We had about 5-12 guys most weeks. That’s obviously a pretty narrow subject, and an acquired taste. At the moment I’m working on a cigar lounge with a friend. He just bought a property that he’s planning on using for it. I’m getting in on the business side, as opposed to the real estate. Although I think I’ll have some involvement in getting the property renovated. Again, a narrow interest--but more blue collar.