Why Do U.S. Churches Struggle to Appeal to Men? 1 Corinthians 16:13

Many say the church does not challenge men.

JESUS challenges men, no doubt. And the Bible challenges everyone.

But what do most churches ask from men? Come listen to meetings. Join a choir. Teach stories and crafts to children. Be a parking lot attendant. Go visit people in the hospital. 

These are not the kind of activities that speak to a man’s soul. Women, being more relational, seem to find church activities more appealing. But men struggle. I struggle sometimes and I grew up in it. 

When men are challenged deeply, they love it.

The American church faces few challenges. No one persecutes us. No one locks us up for having Bible studies. No one takes your Bible away. ALL these things are happening and have NEVER stopped happening around the world. But we don’t face those dangers in the United States. Yet. 

But we are challenged in a different way—we face the challenge of growing lazy in our faith. We stop reading the Bible, we consume hours of ungodly media every day, and soon our lives are just like the lives of the lost.

Staying ON FIRE for Jesus is a HUGE challenge in this cold world.

People love hot coffee, and iced coffee. But no one likes it in between. Remember what Jesus said to the church of Laodicea?

“You are neither hot, nor cold, but lukewarm. Therefore I will spit you out of my mouth” Revelation 3:16. 

Accept the challenge. Stay on fire for God. Ask Him (1) what that means, and (2) how to do it.

1 Corinthians 16:13 should appeal to men: “Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. ACT LIKE MEN. Be strong.” 

Paul may mean “Be a man when you are hauled off to prison and beaten, like I have been.” But he is also saying, “Act like men about guarding and growing your faith. Be alert to temptations—the devil wants to neutralize you, to make you weak and useless like the lost people around you. But don’t fall for it. Act like men. Say no. Choose to honor God. Staying true to God is challenge enough for anyone.

You may never face a whip or a cross for your faith—but you face overwhelming pressure to become LUKEWARM. Overcoming that slippery slope should be challenge enough for any man!

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