Hmmm. I think David's premise is that blokes hate coming to church services. (That's hard to get into a snappy title.)
Church per se might be a different story. This may be a peculiar Australian perspective but I think fear is more significant than apathy. We do care about spiritual things, but we're afraid we'll show our complete ignorance - we have nothing to bring to this experience.
We can keep our heads above water in sport, pubs, rotary clubs and professional groups but know jack about this God stuff. So we make jokes about how the roof might fall in if I came along , mate!
We don't like to look stupid or that we don't belong.
If you've read the other posts about this book you'll know I struggled to read it. Some of it is very god and some of it drives me crazy. Not least that as a guy doing ok in church the book suggests that I am not manly. Which is the flipside of what you're saying.
There are some really good ideas of how to 'do' church where men can avoid the competancy trap.
I could not agree more with the statements David Murrow makes in his book. I was born in church (church wardens son), church played a significant role all my life, I am activ in church but for many year there was an uneasy feeling. The book has given them a name. Lets face it: Where ever you go to a church be it Switzerland (my country) be it Bolivia or Poland, men are a generally passive minority in church. The book suggest ways to change it. Murrow deserves praise for doing this book.
Hmmm. I think David's premise is that blokes hate coming to church services. (That's hard to get into a snappy title.)
ReplyDeleteChurch per se might be a different story. This may be a peculiar Australian perspective but I think fear is more significant than apathy. We do care about spiritual things, but we're afraid we'll show our complete ignorance - we have nothing to bring to this experience.
We can keep our heads above water in sport, pubs, rotary clubs and professional groups but know jack about this God stuff. So we make jokes about how the roof might fall in if I came along , mate!
We don't like to look stupid or that we don't belong.
Phil Smith
Hey Phil, thanks for taking the time to comment.
ReplyDeleteIf you've read the other posts about this book you'll know I struggled to read it. Some of it is very god and some of it drives me crazy. Not least that as a guy doing ok in church the book suggests that I am not manly. Which is the flipside of what you're saying.
There are some really good ideas of how to 'do' church where men can avoid the competancy trap.
I could not agree more with the statements David Murrow makes in his book. I was born in church (church wardens son), church played a significant role all my life, I am activ in church but for many year there was an uneasy feeling. The book has given them a name.
ReplyDeleteLets face it: Where ever you go to a church be it Switzerland (my country) be it Bolivia or Poland, men are a generally passive minority in church. The book suggest ways to change it. Murrow deserves praise for doing this book.