“Overlooked & Underserved” – Are You Kidding Me?
Comments(3) I was reading one of my favorite columns Tuesday and came across this. I just had to comment!
Last month during a luncheon for pastors and church leaders in suburban Baltimore I called five people to the front of the room and asked them to sit in chairs facing the group. Then I called some other leaders to kneel in front of them and wash their feet.
The five people represented five groups that have been overlooked and underserved in the American church: women, African-Americans, immigrants, businesspeople and the younger generation. As their shoes came off, tears began to flow freely. Words were not necessary.
First off I’m happy that people are trying to reach out and minister to those perceived to be overlooked, discouraged, etc. That’s a very good thing.
Second: some on his list probably are under served, but some aren’t, and one in particular just screams at me.
The truth of matter is this: In the American church today women are NOT under served, if anything they are overserved!
Don’t believe me? Consider the following facts:
- Christian publishing aims most of it’s offerings at women. Why? Because studies show they are the ones who buy and read most of the books. Men’s books are few and far between because in general they aren’t big readers or book buyers.
- Christian Radio is aimed right at women. In particular women in their mid 30′s with children. Why? Because that age group makes up most of their audience already, and also has a lot of buying power which of course pleases their advertisers and (for the noncoms) business supporters.
- Because of this Contemporary Christian music (CCM) is also aimed at the same audience. Again women in that age range are the biggest buyers and listeners to CCM, so that’s the age group they are aiming at.
- Most American Churches have more women than men in them, and women do most of the actual ministry. Therefore churches tend to shape their programing and approach to the feminine point of view. (See Why Men Hate Going to Church for more on all of this.)
Women are under represented in church leadership in most churches, and I’m not going into that huge theological argument here. My point is let’s actually think about things before we just buy into whatever PC idea is floating around.
Everyone needs Jesus. Maybe He’s the most neglected One of all? And maybe I ought to be focusing on Him?
Just a thought.
All of that focus must be working, there are more women in church than me adn of the folks attending more women are active than men.
I find that true across even the “underserved”.
I think it is a heart thing.
A Comment -
The book Why Men Hate Going To Church contains much to ponder, take seriously and act upon. But, for many they read and then react like Prufrock, asking themselves quietly, “Do I dare eat a peach?”
Men face two fundamental voids. The first is that we have recieved more formal instruction on vehicle operation and maintenance, and on the use of condoms than we have regarding how to be a Christian man, husband, father, example.
The second is that we have no real idea, and lots of inhibitions about, how to mentor to other men. In this, and if we are extraordinarily fortunate and blessed, some older man in a congregation for a healthy example to model upon and mirror. Most tell me they never found one, although more than a few say they aren’t sure they could have recognized one unless they bit them! It is a candle many keep securfely under a bushel.
These needs are real and immediate and if properly addressed and aided can generate or regenerate a healthy level of men participating in worhsip, study and discussion, local outreach, mission and bringing others to Christ.
Remember what the book Why Men Hate… says: Women form relationships hand-in-hand; men form relationships side-by-side. In that difference lies much of the answer.
YIC
JOverton
Southern Califolornia
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