I must admit some personal irony to the subject at hand (no pun to be intended), I did quite the boyish thing seven weeks ago, by turning one of our young adults into a tackling dummy during a church volleyball game. Landed awkwardly on my wrist and broke a bone. Funny thing is it didn’t hurt that bad and looked fine, so I went 2 weeks without knowing it was broke. Then spent 4 weeks in a cast, and now find myself in the middle of at least a 2-week stint in a splint… makes typing at a computer and therefore blogging a bit difficult.
So I’m going to keep this short—mainly in the form of the question in the title…
Churches need leadership and families need leadership. Let’s not denigrate the ladies here. We men need the ladies in our churches and family. In the beginning God said it’s not good for the man to be alone, and he gave Eve to Adam as his helper and partner. We need the ladies in our lives. But, God calls men to stand up and be the self-sacrificing, Jesus-following leaders in the church (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) and the home (Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3).
I just recently picked up a book I should have years ago (especially since it was recommended to me over a decade ago)… Gene Getz’s The Measure of a Man. Its argument: the character traits for pastors and deacons are not merely meant for pastors and deacons, but rather mark the character all men should strive to have. (Pastors and deacons are then proven leaders and examples in these traits).
The 20 traits he gives are: spiritually mature/well-rounded, having a good reputation, morally pure, temperate (balanced in words and actions), prudent (wise and humble), respectable (a good role model), hospitable (unselfish and generous), able to teach, not addicted to substances, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not abusive, gentle, peaceable, nonmaterialistic, a good husband and father, lover of good, just, devout (devoted to God in holiness), and self-controlled.
Yeah… that’s a good list. If we train up our men to pursue such character, how much more naturally would humble and godly leaders emerge in our churches and at home?
So, let’s discuss… How does your church train up men?