I recently read an article that discussed a new Hartford Seminary study. The study claimed that "American congregations have grown less healthy in the last decade, with fewer people in the pews and aging memberships." It also stated that in the first decade of the 21stcentury, the median worship attendance at a typical congregation decreased, from 130 to 108.
When I read that three questions came to my mind:
Did we stop telling our friends about Jesus and decide not to invite them to church anymore?
Did we, as Christians, just stop going to church?
Why are people choosing to not attend church?
I truly believe the answer to these questions all lie within one root problem - a lack of men acting as spiritual leaders in their families.
If you look at the study The Barna Group did in 2008 we see that only 65 percent of men, compared to 77 percent of women, said their faith is very important in their lives. In addition, studies show that women outnumber men in church attendance in every Christian denomination.
We need to challenge men to step up and lead our families. God has called men to not only provide for their family by working a good job and bringing home a paycheck but by guiding them in scripture, prayer and the ways of the Lord.
Our families should be following Joshua 24:15, which says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
So, men, I'm asking you to step up. Take the challenge to be the Godly man of your household.
--Jay