When God needs a job done, He looks for men.
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” — Ezekiel 22:30.
Male leadership is sadly lacking in our society today. The philosophy of the Women’s Liberation Movement has produced a great increase in female leaders, but it has been at the expense of developing men. Men have taken a back seat while women have taken over.
Our culture has changed to such a degree that it has even affected our churches and Christian schools. There are a disproportionate number of girls with leadership ability in almost every youth group and the same is true in our Christian schools.
It is wonderful to see so many young ladies giving their lives to serve the Lord, but where are the young men: In Bible colleges, the female students consistently outnumber the male students. If it weren’t for dedicated women some churches would have no workers at all, but where are the men?
The Bible clearly states that men are to be the head of their home.
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” – 1 Corinthians 11:3.
Men are to be the pastors of churches and deacons are to be men of excellent character.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” – 1 Timothy 3:2.
Consider the following information from Scripture:
- Pastors of the first-century churches were men.
- The Apostles were men.
- The early church planters were men.
- Pioneer church planters in America were men.
One of the biggest challenges of a new church is to find men that will be committed and faithful to lead the church. How can you get men and develop them into leaders of the church? Just like anything else in life you get what you go after. Reaching men must be a point of emphasis. Having Bible studies, private prayer meetings and mentoring men through constant contact is a must if men are to be reached.
Keep in mind that youth in the church will someday become men and it is worth investing time in them to prepare them to become leaders. Make sure that your preaching challenges men to step up and commit themselves to the Lord. Develop ways for men to serve that will help them to grow in their service to Christ. Give young men an opportunity to serve. Take young men with you on visitation and to preaching meetings. You must spend time with them.
Encourage young men to help in the planting of churches. Most young men that graduate from Bible college are not prepared to start a church, but almost all of them could commit a few years to help someone else start a church. Seeing a new church get started will increase their faith so that they can start their own ministry. You, as the pastor of the church, can create a culture of church planting. Teens and Bible college students can be a part of the preliminary visitation of the new church plant. Encourage your young men to get involved.
Pray for laborers.
The one prayer request of our Lord was to pray for laborers.
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38.
Dedicated young men are more important than money or methods. All obstacles can be overcome if called men of God commit themselves to the work of the Lord. Men are needed!