News Male Rite Of Passage
Has Leaving Church Become A Sign of Manhood?
F
athers did you know that young men are leaving the faith at an alarming rate. Research indicates that more than 70%
of boys brought up in today’s’ churches abandon it during their teens and twenties. Why is this happening? We work so
Throughout human history men have
hard to train them up in the way they should
had the sacred responsibility of initiating boys
go. How could they simply abandon it after
into manhood through rites of passage. In
years of valuable training? I believe we can
primitive cultures the men capture the boys
combat this widespread tragedy – if we revive
from their mothers and take them into the
young male initiation.
wilderness. There the boys learn the ways of men. Convictions are shared. They are
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subjected to tests preparing them for
Jacob; the exiles of Moses and David; the
manhood. These rites of passage are often
temptation of Jesus.
strenuous and brutal, involve beatings, tattooing, and trials of physical stamina. Once a boy passes however, he’s returned to the village and his manhood is publicly recognized with a ceremony. Christian fathers have inherited a rich tradition of male initiation from the Jews. Hebrews have elaborate manhood rituals, culminating with the Bar Mitzvah, a formal recognition of manhood. Have you noticed how many of the heroes of our faith were driven into the wilderness and tested by God? Scripture is full of these tales: the flight of
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The modern church no longer formally recognizes manhood. So our boys obtain manhood validating experiences wherever they can get them. Why are young men
drawn to dangerous, irresponsible behavior?
It is time for Father’s to take
It’s because we have not laid out the path to
responsibility for initiating their sons again.
true manhood, nor have we bestowed the title
Christian men must provide boys with a vision
of ‘man’ upon those who finish it. It’s getting
of manhood, and show them how the pursuit
so bad the U.S. Justice Department believes
of Christ moves them closer to it.
young boys consider going to prison a rite of passage, and have launched an ad campaign to stop the trend. Can you see what’s happening here?
What’s really needed is for the entire community of men to see male initiation as their most sacred collective responsibility Christian men employ this in many ways, from
For centuries, cultures have provided boys
boy scouts, to trips with their sons or even
with rites of passage. Since we no longer do
actual Bar Mitzvah. However you do it, it must
this, our sons have created their own.
be done for the future of Christianity, for the
Leaving church has become a sign of
boys themselves, and the good of society.
manhood.
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Q and A Q: What is God’s criteria for selecting a wife?
M
any single Christian men believe that there is a ‘right’ person for them, in
the sense that God would pick. However, there are only three cases in the Bible where this happens. Adam and Eve: Since Eve
would be the mother of the human race. Isaac and Rebekah: Since Rebekah would be the
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mother of the Hebrew nation. Hosea and Gomer: As an example of His love for the
backslider. However the most consistent example of God’s criteria for a wife is more of a template than an actual person. He doesn’t pick for you, rather, he wants you to pick
using that template as a guide. For instance, God constantly warns the men of Israel not to marry pagan wives [1 Kings 11:1-2]. He made it clear that these women would take their hearts from Him. The New Testament gives a similar warning [2 Corinthians 6:14]. A woman with no character will encourage you in the wrong direction. The irony is that she will help you, so long as you are moving away from what God wants. In contrast, a woman of godly character will do the opposite. She will inspire you to be all God wants you to be, and support you accordingly.
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Though God lays claim to the sort of character a wife should have, it is totally up to you as to her personality and appearance. Whether she is intellectual, or creative, assertive or laid back, are all things God left up to you, the same with the details of her
appearance. These are each based on what
virtuous or a godly woman’s price is far above
you personally enjoy.
rubies [Proverbs 31:10]. That means that you
Today many Christian leaders teach that a man should be the provider financially. While there is nothing wrong with this, men should also be warned that the woman they select should like them for who they are, not
can’t buy her so to speak. She is financially well off and likes a man because she wants him, not because she needs him financially. Remember, a good woman stands by her man, not his success. Choose wisely.
what they have. The scripture says that a
If you have a question pertaining to manhood that you would like to submit to the Pastor, to be answered here in our monthly Q and A, segment email us at Gmen@mobcc.com
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“When you have faith in praise as a
Article
weapon, you will use it in every battle life brings.”
The Weapon Of Praise
W
hat if I told you that worship isn't about feeling fuzzy or finding your feminine side? What if I
showed you men in the Bible who used it as a weapon, just as someone today would use a pocket knife or grenade? I can. Joshua 5:13-14
When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked and saw a man facing him with a sword drawn. Joshua asked, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” The man said, 7 Building Men. Raising Sons!
“Neither! But as a captain in the LORDS army have I come.”
Joshua wants to take enemy territory for
they are going to use them in battle. The
God’s people. But just when he arrives, he
scripture says Joshua commanded God’s
gets a sword drawn on him by someone he
people to, “…shout for the LORD has given
doesn’t know. This man is actually an angel,
you the city.”
and a ranking captain in God’s army. To help
afterwards, the
Joshua, he offers a winning strategy, that
wall came
doesn’t require any natural weapons.
crumbling down
Joshua 6:5
[Joshua 6:16]!
When you make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people must shout with a loud noise, and the wall of the city will fall flat.
Like Joshua, when you have faith in praise as a weapon, you will use it in every battle life brings. As you do, confidently expect it to be
The rams horn, the trumpet, and the shout,
just as, or even more effective than any
were all praise and worship tools. But today,
firearm or missile!
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Bulletins
Men are needed to help with setup for the Men’s Conference next month. If you are available, please contact Jamiel Cotman at 833-7628
Remember to inform us of any announcements you have for the men before the first week of that month.
Commissioned men are needed to assist with registration for the Men’s Conference. Email us at Gmen@mobcc.org with dates you are available.
Events The 2012 Men’s Conference is on Friday, August 17 at 7:00 P.M. and Saturday August 18 at 10:00 A.M.
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Scripture
Ecclesiastes 11:9
ESV
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Thought Your future moves into you before you move into your future [Joshua 1:8].
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