@powertochange:

We Need More Men

Written by Eric Reynolds

November 16, 2011

From behind a large desk in a room full of cheap frames filled with wonderful memories, the old man waits for me. “What can I do for you?”

I introduce myself and then cut to the chase. “Some friends and I have decided we want to serve the local church. Is there anything you need?”

He doesn’t stir. I’m wondering if my Canadian accent confused the southern preacher. It didn’t.

“You know…” he can’t get the words out. His head tilts down, mind wisely rifling through options. What would he say?

His face deflates a bit and he speaks the following sentence with such clarity and assurance I know he’s arrived upon that one thing.

“We need more men.”

That is the call coming from all over the world.

David Murrow wrote a book in 2005 that acknowledged the fact that church isn’t reaching men. In fact, he boldly states that men hate church.

Rapper Andy Mineo addresses the condition of manhood in a powerful song by the 116 Clique: “Being a man got nothing to do with age. You can be a boy till the day you lay in your grave.”

The manhood flag has been raised. Is anyone answering?

I recently read an advertisement that claimed to be “Building Godly Men of Today and Tomorrow.” I was intrigued to say the least so I called looking for more.

A man named Harold Brown picks up the phone and begins to tell me about Christian Service Brigade (CSB). The name has quite a history and I’m eager to hear it from the 45-year veteran. Harold has put four kids through the ministry and has plenty to share.

“30 years ago we started getting fathers involved. This is key. Boys ages 4-7 are led by their dads during weekly meetings. The result is a bond that happens, even through simple things like playing games and doing crafts.”

Can it really be that simple?

“It’s practical and beneficial in a few ways. Sons become proud of their dads for leading, dads gain confidence in their leadership, and often a number of the dads will move up with their sons to the older age groups.

And what is the goal of all this?

“Our mission is to grow godly men and it’s working. We look at the results of the ministry – long-term. Many of our boys are now men living for Christ and involved with Christian ministry. It brings joy to me to realize many godly leaders of today were fellows that had been associated with CSB in their local church.”

I can’t disagree with him. Our courageous and innovative president is a product of this ministry.

“One young fellow is now an executive pastor at a church in California. He used to be a scatterbrained pre-teen! I met him the other day and was amazed by the confidence and competence with which he handled the Scriptures. He attributes part of his current role to the CSB ministry he grew up in.”

I’m wondering what the biggest obstacle is because it seems to me like there is incredible potential here. Where are the enemy’s arrows aimed? Where is the breakdown?

“So few men are getting involved in the evangelical church; we’ve lost groups by the barrel full.”

So getting men to be involved is the toughest part, eh? Sad to say but it doesn’t surprise me.

Suddenly the end of the Old Testament gets a little clearer.

“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”

I think I can speak for many by pleading this: boys, please grow up and follow the godly men in your life. Turn to your Dad and honour him. Learn from his example. And to the men: be men worthy of following. Turn to your children and lead them on paths of righteousness.

Thanks CSB for your work in Canada and across the world.