What it Takes to Reach Men
By Stu Weber
October 1, 1994
Several years ago, I watched a local television talk show about men who had attended a seminar with Robert Bly, author of "Iron John." I thought, now I'll get to see what the men's movement is all about. These local guys will give it to me straight.
But I was struck by how confused the men were. As if in a recovery group, they shared their stories of disappointment and pain.
But they never got beyond them--except to say, "It's been great sharing."
There must be more to being a healthy man, I thought, than saying how disappointed you are.
This yearning has caused the male-identity search to spread to the Christian arena. This year more than 250,000 men participated in Promise Keepers weekends in Boulder, Colorado, and other cities. But this is more than a reaction to prevailing secular winds. This Christian men's movement is an artesian well bursting through all the loose places on the surface of our country. It's a gusher not created by human engineering. It's nothing less than the Spirit of God at work.
I've always wondered why the church had such tremendous ministries to women, students, and children but nothing to men. When I connect with other guys, I feel fulfilled, vision-oriented, energetic. As I saw what was happening in our culture, a dream began to take shape: Wouldn't it be great to gather a hundred guys who enjoyed being men? And wouldn't it be great to do it in the local church?
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE
Not knowing where to begin, I decided to preach a series on the family and to start with men. What began as three messages on what it means to be a man turned out to be eight. I can't explain why, but the topic connected powerfully with our congregation. The feeling on those Sunday mornings was electric. I could sense ...
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