Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christian Podcast Central

Home
Evangelical - Sponsored
Church For Men 12: Does A Lack Of Men Lead To Liberalism? (part 2)

Church For Men 12: Does A Lack Of Men Lead To Liberalism? (part 2)

Last updated on: February 23, 2016 at 2:11 am by Christian Podcast Central

Church For Men 12: Does A Lack Of Men Lead To Liberalism? (part 2) 2016-02-23T02:11:37-08:00 Christian Podcast Central

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Church For Men 12: Does A Lack Of Men Lead To Liberalism? (part 2) [ 10:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Previously, I pointed out that as women have taken leadership positions in many of our mainline churches, men have silently removed themselves from the picture. Interestingly enough, this has brought about a gradual move by many churches to liberalism – largely due to fundamental differences in the way men and women see the world.

Men tend to prioritize rules first.

Women tend to prioritize relationships first.

We see these tendencies from the school playground to the gridiron and yes, to the Church. When a dilemma rises, men tend to consult the rulebook first. Women tend to consider eachothers’ feelings first.

How does this apply to the church? Well, when a decision is brought up for debate (i.e., same-sex marriage) men tend to go straight to the rulebook – the Bible – and end the discussion there. Women, however – in an effort to preserve relationships – tend to seek a solution that keeps people happy.

Now don’t get me wrong. There are four things that need to be made perfectly clear:

1) I’m not blaming women for the decline of the mainline. Men withdrew and women stepped up.

2) I’m not saying that women are more prone to heresy than men.

3) I’m not saying that rules don’t matter to women – they just typically matter less than relationships do.

4) I’m not saying that women should never lead in churches. Since the beginning, women have played a vital role in the local church.

Here’s my key point: liberalism rises not when individual women take on key leadership roles, but when groups of women come to dominate church leadership without the moderating presence of men.

A healthy church needs the influence of both men and women. It needs rule people and relationship people. When one cohort dominates, you end up with crushing legalism or limp liberalism. Jesus clearly despised the former and judging by the decline of the mainline, He doesn’t seem too excited about the latter.

For more on this and other discussions surrounding Church and men, visit our website, www.ChurchForMen.com

And for more engaging and encouraging podcasts and videos, check out the E-Squared Media Network at www.e2medianetwork.com

Uncategorized

academic environment

alternative religions

christian culture podcast

christian family relationship podcast

does a lack of men lead to liberalism?

effectiveness

female church leadership

is the bible reliable

is the bible true?

Jesus Christ

liberal church

liberalism and the church

what does the bible say about same-sex marriage?

what is the church?

worship

Previous Post

February 24, 2014

The Daren Streblow Comedy Show Mini-Cast 33: Anthony Griffith

Next Post

February 26, 2014 The Summit Lecture Series 13: C.S. Lewis on Heaven and Hell, part 1 with Louis Markos

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Brad Stine Has Issues Christian Podcast Central Classic Podcast Experience God Life Grounded Ouxano Parent Like You Mean It The Protest Show with Thor Ramsey The Summit Lecture Series Uncategorized What You’ve Been Searching For

Select a Month July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz