Reaching Manly Men

"Jesus was not a Breck girl." -- Steve Farrar

I once heard Steve Farrar comment about the popular paintings of Jesus, with soft flowing hair that would have fit right into a Breck shampoo advertisment, and soft skin and soft eyes. This image doesn't square with the Gospel accounts. Seriously, how threatened were the Pharisees by Jesus? How soft were a carpenter's hands? Can you picture the muscle on Jesus' legs, considering how much we walked?

Yes, there are great scenes of relational tenderness in the Gospels. But Jesus was tough as well as tender.

Jesus attracted manly men to follow him. Fisherman weren't physical lightweights, and nearly all his disciples would have known how to handle themselves in a rough crowd. Following Jesus gave them plenty of physical exercise, and they were put in many uncomfortable situations.

So Jesus perfectly exhibits toughness and tenderness, boldness and gentleness (thus the name of this blog).

Here in the US, at least, churches are attracting many more women than men. Check your local prayer meeting -- how many Bible-carrying men are there?

I think there are two avenues that will help more men into the Kingdom.

First, we need to expand our language about community and calling. Let's add some emphasis to our speech that speaks to mission, protecting the weak, saving others, not letting our brothers and fathers and sons down, guarding against attack, teamwork, taking courageous steps.

Men respond to powerful purposes. We're wired for it. It's why military stories and rescues and adventures appeal to us. My grandparents had stacks of old Reader's Digest magazine at their house. I would spend hours looking through them. I liked the cartoons, and I devoured every"drama in real life" story.

Second, we need to help men benefit from the power of association. My observation is that if/when Satan can get a man alone, he's got about a 50-60% greater chance of destroying him. We're much more likely to do what is right when we know we're part of a band of brothers. Consider Joash, who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoida the priest," (2 Chron 24:1-2) and then later turns away from God after Jehoida dies (see 2 Chron 24:17-22).

The health of men's souls can hang on associated with good men. "Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another." Men have enormous potential; other men sharpen us and challenge us; women give us polish.

What are your thoughts about helping more manly men into God's kingdom?