I cannot just watch a movie, and I cannot just hear a person speak. I listen, I analyze, and I develop questions. In the past year, I have noticed a topic that has appeared in movies, books and even as part of a class at Polishing the Pulpit. Those observations have led me to this question: “Where are the men?”
It is becoming more and more common to see church attendance dominated by women. Worldwide there is a shortage of preachers and adult Bible class teachers. In congregations all over the world, it is becoming more and more difficult to find deacons and elders. In the homes of so many people there are countless problems because of absent fathers. “Where are all the men?”
Now before we go any further we have to make sure it is clear that we recognize that we do have great men, fathers and leaders in the Lord’s church. Yet, what are we doing about the future? How will the men be in twenty or thirty years? Will there be a generation full of great leaders or will men be like those in Judges 1-2 that fell away from God after the death of Joshua. So, the question still remains, “Where are all the men?”
From the beginning of time, God’s plan was for men to be the leaders in the home and in the church (Genesis 1:16; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:1-13). The problem is that so many men have not fulfilled their responsibilities. To make matters worse, by some men not fulfilling their responsibilities as leaders in the home and in the church, many young men have not truly been taught what it means to be a man in service of the Lord.
This is a problem that we have to address now. As a young father, I think every day about the example I am setting for my son. What will he view as important in this life, based off my example? Will he be ready when the time comes to be a leader in the church and in a family of his own one day?
It is up to us now to stand up as men and be the examples in word and in deed, which the men of today and tomorrow desperately need. What will you do? Will you be a man of God?
