Male or men?

atlantis
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains..." -1 Chr 12:8

Our friend Christa and LeeElla and I were talking the other day and Christa was sharing how in Amsterdam, Holland it's hard to find christian men who are self motivated spiritually. The women seem to be the ones dragging men along in spiritual things. Then they asked if I knew any christian men who have spiritual drive? Not just christians, but devoted, spiritual, focused, hungry, front line kind of men. I had to confess...they are far and few between. Not many stand out, rise above or stand alone.

Why is that?

I read this after our conversation:
"Christianity is now seen as a part of the sphere of life proper to women rather than to men, it sometimes attracts men whose own masculinity is doubtful. By this I do not mean homosexuals . . . rather religion is a safe field, a refuge from the challenges of life and therefore attracts men who are fearful of making a break with the secure world of childhood dominated by women. These are men who have problems following the path of masculine development." -Leon Podles, is his book, The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity,

Over the years I've noticed in christian circles of men some trends:
Men are more soft. They look more like girls with feathery hair cascading down over their pouty and moody faces. Lots of tight pants with silky, patterned shits, shoes that don't get dirty, bodies scented with product, perfumes and stuff for lips. Struggles with paralyzing Indecision, deep seated timidity, escapism and juvenile fantasy lives. They are often slow...they meander in life without spiritual focus, drive and ambition...they end up talking instead of walking. They don't want the "wilderness" but civilization, safety and the familiar. Men of might? men of war? Hummm...we can't even get up the courage to sing out-loud much, let alone pray out-loud. Faces like Lions? I've not seen a countenance that appears hungry, fierce and determined in a long time.

Pure grit is that element of character, which enables a man to clutch his aim with an iron grip, and keep the needle of his purpose pointing to the star of his hope. Through sunshine and storm, through hurricane and tempest, through sleet and rain, with a leaky ship, with a crew in mutiny, it perseveres; in fact, nothing but death can subdue it, and it dies still struggling.
- Orison Sweet Marden

61% of the average adult U.S. church attendance is women, 80% of attendees at midweek church activities are women, and 90% of boys raised in the church will abandon it by time they turn 20-years-old.

Those stats alarm me. This is the hour for males to return to men. My prayer is that this year will be a awakening year for the soul of men in the church.