The Emasculation of the Church?

// May 9th, 2007 // Church Life

Wimpy JesusIn recent months I have come across a lot of talk in the blogosphere about what some are calling “the emasculation of the church”. The idea is that the modern church movement produced a church culture that is designed around women to the functional exclusion of men.

Meaning: Churches designed to look like shopping malls, pastel colors and hanging banners featuring purple, gold, and pink. The music becoming exclusively introspective, quiet, and “soft rock”. Preaching is less aggressive, no shouting, more conversational. etc, etc, etc.

I can see their point to a large degree. The image of Jesus that we typically preach is the soft spoken “suffering servant” hanging limp-wristed on a cross with tiny pink paper cuts for scars. We talk about Him as though He is our best friend (which He is) but rarely as the glorified Christ we see in the book of Revelation.

Is it any wonder the church has a hard time getting strong men? We preach about Him like He is some kind of weenie who wasn’t really in charge at the cross, wasn’t really divine, and just wants to dialogue about our feelings and give us the spiritual gift of crying on demand.

Jesus is no weenie. I’ll prove it. Look at Revelation 1:13-16. Is that Jesus safe or dangerous?

I love what CS Lewis wrote in the Chronicles of Narnia when talking about Aslan (Jesus). When asked if He is safe, the response is:

“Safe? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

I know most of my active commenters here are women, but I know you men are out there too. I wonder what you all think (including you men lurking). Has the church been overly feminized, or has it simply balanced itself from years of being male centric?

Has the Church been emasculated?

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7 Responses to “The Emasculation of the Church?”. Gravatars are enabled.

  1. Greg says:
    May 12, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    Yes, I have to say that it does seem tough to be a “manly man” in the church. Tough but not impossible. So why can’t we make a way for men to be MEN in the church…like blowing things up, or dressing up in camoflage and playing paintball? Well, that’s how I define manly (at least in part).

    “Jesus is no weenie.” Hey, that’s the quote of the day!

    Reply
  2. Ben Cotten says:
    May 13, 2007 at 7:22 pm

    How about some full contact preaching!

    Reply
  3. Shelley says:
    May 15, 2007 at 3:54 pm

    Something to think about – if church has become watered down or “feminized,” who has allowed it to happen? Are not most pastors and their support staff still male?

    I think it’s less of an issue of catering to women than it is of catering to those who want to be “safe,” to use your term. Many congregations are looking for candy-coated church where they can come, feel good, see and be seen, and go home and not think about it until the next week. So rather than risk a drop in attendance or offerings, pastors give them what they want – they focus on God’s perfect love and downplay his perfect justice and amazing power. And they create a safe atmosphere to go with their safe message – enter the soft colors, soft music, and non-confrontational environment.

    I think a real “manly man” wants to know Christ intimately and is ready to jump into His refining fire. He won’t shy away from its inherent struggle and pain. A truly strong man will show it in his character, and his desire will drive him forward, regardless of his surroundings. There’s no way a church that looks like a shopping mall could stop him.

    Reply
  4. Ben Cotten says:
    May 15, 2007 at 4:47 pm

    I think a real “manly man” wants to know Christ intimately and is ready to jump into His refining fire. … There’s no way a church that looks like a shopping mall could stop him.

    I have chill bumps. Really. Excellent point! The issue is bigger than gender, but rather extends to a compromise in the message.

    Thanks for joining in.

    Reply
  5. Ask Andrea says:
    June 5, 2007 at 1:15 pm

    carnival of Christian advice – June 4, 2007 Edition…

    Welcome to the June 4, 2007 edition of carnival of Christian advice.
    We have some great entries this time, though I cannot vouch for or guarantee the sites linked here or their links. I always do my best to weed out the bad apples, but it’s…

    Reply
  6. sunny says:
    June 5, 2007 at 2:58 pm

    Being a female who craves adventure, church is, quite honestly, rather boring. I really don’t like going and singing the same phrase over and over (reminds me of cultic brain washing) and then SITTING still and quiet for 30 minutes or so. I want adventure.

    I think that the church is not only losing its men, it is also losing it’s young people. We are left uninterested and unchallenged.

    Our church recently started a mens ministry that includes events like barbeques, motorcycles, hunting, and the like–men stuff.

    unfortunantly that still leaves me lost and alone, searching for my place in the church.

    and it does matter that our churches are touchy feely shopping malls. If a man who is on fire is able to stay there, good. But it certainly hinders our men from becoming that man on fire.

    Reply
  7. Jeremy Hobbs says:
    June 5, 2007 at 3:41 pm

    You can’t portray our Christ in that manner anymore. He has to be shown as the big ‘Santa in the sky’ to draw people in, and make them feel good. Any mention of sin, or righteousness in today’s society is the quickest way to get yourself labeled as a bigot.

    There are no happy mediums that I’ve found; every church I’ve been in takes one side of the idea way too far. In one, I think I’m at a self motivational speaking conference; at another, I’m quite sure KKK meetings are held after Wednesday night service.

    I’m so thankful to live in a modern age where we don’t have to depend on the church for our sole means of nourishment; can you imagine not having a printed Bible? Just having to take someone’s word for it, in this day and age? Scary.

    Reply

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