Could God Blogs Bring Men Back Into the Church?
October 17, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall
There was some discussion at the GodBlogCon about the lack of women on the panels (see here, here, and here). As a woman, this didn't bother me. The men were up there because they're successful, and there are more successful male bloggers because men are more likely to write about macro subjects (rather than personal) than are women. They're more likely to engage in debate, discuss politics, and be driven to spread their ideas. These are the types of blogs that attract the most readers. This is not to say there aren't any women bloggers who do this–of course there are (e.g., La Shawn Barber would have been a great addition to the panel). But in terms of numbers, it does seem to be generally true that most of the high-traffic blogs are written by men. Therefore, we're more likely to have men on the panels. I certainly wouldn't want women to be invited onto a panel just because they're women and not because they earned their positions there.
Personally, I'm happy to see an area of Christianity where men are stepping up, taking the initiative, and contributing to the Body of Christ. In the
Why is this? Let's look at the state of the American local churches. In general, there's an emphasis on qualities and pursuits that appeal more to women than to men. For example, emotions and experiences are sought after and encouraged while serious theological study is almost completely ignored. Let's face it–our churches have become places where women are more comfortable than men.
When did this happen? How did this happen? Did the men leave because the church became feminized? Or did the church become feminized because the men began to leave? I'm not sure I know the answer to this question (although I'll bet John Mark Reynolds has a theory). Either way, the lack of men is definitely an issue, hindering the proper function of the Body.
Now let's look at the God blogs. In contrast to the local church, what qualities do these blogs encourage? They foster strength, intellectual rigor, analytical abilities, and debate–all masculine-type characteristics that attract men. What will happen as these blogs become more and more popular and the men in our culture begin to see that being a Christian can be a manly enterprise? That Christianity envelops and enriches even the qualities and pursuits in life that are important to them as men? That when Jesus calls them, he calls them to “act like men, be strong“? They will come back, my friends.
Men, keep blogging.
Related posts:
- Book Review: God's Blogs by Lanny Donoho
- Is Hierarchy Possible in a Church of Equals?
- The case for church membership
- EFBT 2.1: Men and Women in the Church
- Modern Reformation #1- The Emerging Church by D.A. Carson
- Is Church Necessary?
Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Gender Issues, Main Page, Religion (General)
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October 17th, 2005 at 4:53 pm
the church became feminized because the men began to leave (and not lead!) There is nothing more appealing to a woman than when a man leads.
October 18th, 2005 at 8:52 am
Good post - I wondered how other women would respond to the complaint that women weren't part of the panel in the plenary sessions.
Rick Moore
HolyCoast.com
October 18th, 2005 at 4:05 pm
Hi Amy,
I think you have asked a very important question. I hope you will continue to observe and then write about
October 18th, 2005 at 5:24 pm
David, thank you for your comment.
“However, the men in the blogsphere may be less likely to attend Church if they are being fed and challenged intellectually outside of Church.”
Yikes! I hadn't considered that, but you might be right. Just because Christian men are drawn to manly Christianity in the blogosphere, this doesn't mean that manly Christianity will find its way back into the church. It could, as you say, only make the church look even less desirable. The answer can't be to stop providing these things on the web. I guess there just has to be another step we need to figure out to move the gathering from the web back into the churches.
“Perhaps if Church was a place where I could listen to Paul debate Peter about theology
October 30th, 2005 at 3:23 pm
There are many fine opportunities for both men and women to attend church (together), understqnd however, that many priests (we are all part of the royal priesthood.
But we are in very different times than yesterday. A new set of demintions are in place today. Some 2 1/2 years ago a great set of prophecies were announced to the world. The Lord is trying to turn the wayward sheep back into the proper path to the kingdom. There is book on the way called “The Seven Prophies - The Coming of the Christ.” The prophecies will both astound you and covict you at the same. Your priests MUST start talking about Heaven and not the next raffel, or bingo etc. The reason they are now being brought to the forefront is because the time is fastly approaching the true “end times” . All believers plus clergy must take the scales off of their eyes and trust what your hearts of screaming at you to listen. The birth pags have already started to show you just how God is so angry at our behavior
October 30th, 2005 at 3:34 pm
The seven proghecies, the coming of the Christ. If you want more information about the END TIMES, I can be reached at research62004@yahoo.com. The last times are with us now, your head tells you no, but your heart sings a differet tune. Hopping to hear from you in the near future.
October 30th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
I can understand the temptation to stay at home on a Sunday morning, when it is so cozy in bed, or there are chores that can be done, games/races to watch. I also know it is ok to not go to church once in a while. Sometimes my wife and I go camping for the weekend. However, I also know going to church is important. Like making a marriage vow, the feeling of being “in love” with Jesus (just like with our spouses) will waz and wane, and we go to church sometimes out of a commitment to Jesus and His Church, and not always because we “feel” like it.
Just some thoughts,
Like Greg Koukl over a t STR has said, we make vows and commitments because the feeling will not always be as strong as it was in the early part of the relationship. I think the same is true for our relationship with God. Sometimes we love going to church, and sometimes we commit to going. The goal, it would seem, would be to enjoy making that commitment (remembering the early days…
Derrick
http://www.bright-idea.blogspot.com
October 31st, 2005 at 3:54 pm
With so much of New Testament scripture focused on love and service (something about washing feet) maybe “men” would do well to concentrate on serving God first and not what they do or do not get out of attending an organized service. If you love the Lord you will seek any place, service,congregation to serve Him. This may be an overly simplistic way to look at the issue of getting men to return to “church” but we have to start somewhere.