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From Publishers Weekly
Murrow, a television writer and producer, asks and effectively answers the question: "What is it about modern Christianity that is driving men away?" Just 35% of American men say they attend church weekly, he reports, and women make up more than 60% of the typical congregation on a given Sunday. Murrow contends that the church caters to women, children and the elderly by creating a safe, predictable environment. This alienates anyone fond of risk taking, including young men and women, but men are affected most. In order to reach men, Murrow suggests, churches must "adjust the thermostat" to embrace the masculine spirit: let men lead; give them tasks; encourage pastors to show strength and teach men through object lessons, letting them discover truth for themselves. Two of the best outreach methods: start rigorous mentoring programs and help men make friends with other men. Murrow bases his conclusions on what he claims are legitimate biological and cultural gender differences. He is aware that these observations might offend, and his thesis will find few takers among those who believe that the church needs less, not more, male influence. But Murrow's work is quite likely to get an enthusiastic reception from many Christian men. It contains sharp observations that will provoke much discussion—and, perhaps, some change. (Mar. 24)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
According to the author, American men hate going to church, as evidenced by a wealth of statistics that point to an ever-widening gap between female and male churchgoers. Regardless of denomination, it appears that most Christian churches are unintentionally designed to appeal to women and children. How to solve the growing gender gap in congregations of every type? Murrow advocates injecting a strong shot of testosterone into the proceedings to restore the masculine spirit to the church. Churches need to provide a more challenging and confrontational approach to religion and spiritual issues instead of concentrating on more traditional-- and female-oriented--calls for conformity, control, and ceremony. Whether or not you fully buy into his somewhat simplistic hypothesis and solution, Murrow does provide some provocative food for thought on a hot-button topic. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
CLIFF IS A MAN'S MAN. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
CLIFF IS A MAN'S MAN. Read the first page
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Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A SUPERB Book on Understanding Men & Their Spirituality,
By Sonid Peregrinus "Sonid Peregrinus" (Ottawa, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Why Men Hate Going to Church (Paperback)
David Murrow has done a first-class job in producing this book. It should be placed firmly in the hands of every male minister/pastor/priest in North America! It should also be given to the rising number of female ministers and lay ministers who do not understand men and their natural (innate/God-given) masculinity.In Part 1 (Why Men Hate Going to Church), he explains differences between the 'masculine' and 'feminine' spirit, and why men are unwilling to check their masculinity 'at the door'. He observes, as an example, that "Modern churches are women's clubs with few male officers". In Part 2, he examines "The Three Gender Gaps"; Presence (women attending church in greater numbers than men), Participation (women are involved in Sunday worship etc.) and Personality (But... the absence of certain personality types makes it harder to attract men to church). In Part 3, (Understanding Men and Masculinity) he uses biology, psychology and cultural anthropology to explain men and their masculine pursuit of greatness. He rightly observes that "If any civilization is to survive and prosper, it needs men who will act like men when the need arises". In other words, he advocates a resurgence of a real/authentic masculinity, not the perpetuation of societal 'milk-toasts'. In Part 4, (The Straws That Break Men's Hearts), he underscores the fears men have of becoming involved in churches and/or church activities, and how they are "out of touch" with the real needs of average men. He also emphasizes their unwillingness to sacrifice their masculinity (which Jesus never advocated) for the sake of a church/institution. In Part 5 (Restoring the Masculine Spirit in the Church), he admonishes leaders, pastors and women on ways not/not to bring men TO church, but (instead) how to bring the church TO men - a powerful and challenging task! "Men follow leaders, not facilitators." And further: "Men's natural bent toward risk-taking (versus the feminine risk-aversion) and challenge can change the atmosphere in your church, making it more attractive to men." And finally, in Part 6 (Meeting Men's Deepest Needs), he explains how important spiritual 'fathering' is to men, and how forming a "Band of Brothers" is so crucial to the attracting and (keeping) men in church is. His "no guts (faith), no glory" is a stark challenge to church leaders throughout North America: "The church must recover its ancient, masculine voice and call men back to battle. For without men and their warrior spirit, all is lost. With bold, visionary leadership, men will be drawn to the church to take their rightful place. However, if the Church provides no such challenge for men, then they will not stay. And a Christianity without an authentic masculine presence will atrophy and die." Its that simple.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Revealing,
By Professor T (NB, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Why Men Hate Going to Church (Paperback)
An interesting, insightful read. A "must read" for the average church-goer who scans their congregation every Sunday wishing for a higher male content. Although the thesis is pushed too far at times, the ideas are sound and worth considering.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Women & Church Leadership need to grasp this!,
By
This review is from: Why Men Hate Going to Church (Paperback)
Do you know any men who hate going to church? Any men who are bored in church? Ladies - this is a huge problem, as I'm sure you know - and we have a lot of things to own up to! This is a book for all women and church leadership to read and understand so that we can effectively support our men to be alive in the body of Christ!
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