One of the things Christians would want and hope to see in the Church is a culture that will build and strengthen families.
And yet, we don’t see that desire translating into reality in many Church environments. How many young Christian women are looking in vain for any man worth marrying?
Could we be part of the problem? Is it possible that some part of the Christian sub-culture is even making it worse?
We often paint a picture of family life in terms of relationship between husband and wife, parent and child … about how God blesses families… the emotional content of married life.
But how many men do you know who get really fired up about their emotional life? Anyone? Bueller?
What if the church’s culture underscores the manly role of husband and father; how it is a crucial position with a definite purpose and function? How he is needed to step up and be the kind of man that such a heady responsibility demands?
Follow this link to a really well-written and engaging article where the problem of preaching relationships without preaching purpose is handled in some depth.
Guys — you especially. Check it.
And if your pastor’s getting this wrong… have him read it, too.
Here’s a teaser:
“Hmmm,” I said, “the relationships stuff will attract and encourage mostly women. But what about what attracts the men? Do you preach and teach purpose, what the family is created for? Do you teach the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, have many children and through them take over the culture? Do you teach and preach on the educational function and purpose of the family; teaching the children in the Lord? Do you teach them the purpose of the family as God’s institution for economic decisions and action? Do you teach them on the fathers as protectors and conquerors? Do you teach them on the function of the family as a welfare agency, the only institution ordained by God to take care of the poor and the needy?”
