The Pussification of the American Man

One of my personal frustration within the church (and many times within myself)
deals specifically with manhood and it's relation to the church.

Aside from miscellaneous and odd attempts of the promise keepers the church is silent on manhood. Sure there is the occassional "men you are the spiritual head of your household" comment thrown from the pulpit, but what the hell does that really mean?
Our churches are absent in the lives of our teens in most cases.
The church seems to be growing an entire generation of young "men" who feel entitled, who are isolated from older men, who side-step responsibility and authority, and are completely uninformed on what their role is in society, families and churches in America.
I believe the church is the space in which we can talk about this.

I'm not talking about reviving some unhealthy understanding of men that degrades women, devalues others, or de-anything... but a view of man who encourages women in leadership, who listens carefully, creates space for the kingdom of God, and shapes the culture where they are live. When men are men, culture changes. when men are men, the world bends around them.
Where are the men? In what way's are our communities impowering men to be men.
I'm not talking about men who cry all the time or are in touch with their feminine side.
I'm not talking about men who sit in small groups a la fight club.
I'm not talking about men who should be more like women.
I'm not talking about men who are unfeeling.
I'm talking about men who are interested in building the kingdom of God more than their porn. I'm talking about men are interested in self sacrificing men who refuse to allow women to be objectified.

Where are the men?

I'm not talking about men's ministry.
I'm not talking about the next john eldridge book.
I'm talking about being more fully human... about men being what they were created to be.
not some androgenous christian guy emascualted by a shallow self centered gospel of self improvement in which jesus looks like a cross between fabio, Vin Diesil, tim the tool man taylor and will from will and grace.

just some thoughts....
now back to work.
posted by riddle at 10:34 AM | |