Why Christian Men Don't Go To Church

Church is not what it used to be, and many Christian men feel it from the very moment they walk through the door. Is this a coincidence or an orchestrated plan by the devil? Is it harmless or a detrimental attack on the traditions and beliefs that make the Church impactful? I believe the answer lies in the way the modern Church has embraced unbiblical beliefs and characteristics. I've observed at least four practices that drive Christian men away from the Church.

A departure from biblical literacy

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

The Bible is the primary means of discipleship within the Church. That means that every teaching and sermon should be biblical in its implications, application, and themes. God didn't prescribe a particular style, but he certainly prescribed the source of every idea that would permeate that style; without a doubt, that source is the Bible.

Unfortunately, the modern Church has replaced Bible study with people study, leaning more on psychology and philosophy than on Biblical revelation. This has resulted in sermons that feel good but lack the content men of God need to grow in the Lord.

A departure from Biblical hierarchy

1 Timothy 3:1-2

 "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

An overseer is another word for pastor or elder. In Titus 1:5-9, "elder" and "overseer" are used interchangeably, and in Acts 20:28, the Ephesian elders are also said to have been made overseers. What I want to draw attention to is that Paul states that those who occupy these positions must be husbands. Paul unapologetically emphasizes that it is a man who must be an overseer through listing qualifications that can only be fulfilled by a man. If that were not enough, we also have

1 Timothy 2:11-14

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

This scripture is about as clear as we can get about the Biblical hierarchy established by God within the Church. In this text, Paul grounds male leadership in the two aspects of the creation narrative. The first is that Adam was created before Eve, indicating an intentional act of God to give Adam a position of leadership over her. The second is that the serpent deceived Eve but not Adam, implying that women are more susceptible to deception.

Modern Churches have replaced male leadership with female leadership and influence, which is sometimes manifested behind the scenes. This has resulted in a Church that doesn't align with the Christian man's desire to be obedient in worship and fellowship. It often puts men under the authority of women who cannot properly teach them the word of God.

A departure from biblical accountability

Ephesians 5:11

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

In Ephesians, Paul addresses (amongst other things) the issue of sin within the Church, concluding that the Church should take no part in sin and expose it.

2 Timothy 4:2

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Notice that preaching the word entails reproof and rebuke. In preaching, Paul encourages Timothy to address sin and rebuke it.

The propensity to overlook sin and sidestep accountability has made the Church identical to the world in how we live. The modern Church has compromised the Gospel and neglected truth in an attempt to spare feelings and be politically correct. This has resulted in a Church that doesn't help the Christian man maintain a high standard of holiness.

A departure from the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

" Now I would remind you, brothers, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you have received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, and he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"

The Gospel is about Christ. It isn't about wealth, health, or the number of other concerns that preachers tend to shout about through the sermon. It is about Christ. In Christ we stand. In Christ, we are empowered. In Christ, we overcome the world. In Christ we obtain eternal life. Preaching that prioritizes what the world gives over what Christ gives has forgotten Jesus words to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

In the modern Church, Jesus isn't the center of most preaching. Feelings, finances, sociology, and everything else are. Christian men desire to hear of the Savior.

Ultimately, Christian men who desire a relationship with God will not be drawn to a church that substitutes God's way for something else. Christian men have neglected the Church because the Church has become like those outside the Church. I don't say this to advocate abandoning fellowship. I believe we must be willing to address the issues the Church currently faces with Christian male participation, or we will never know why Christian men don't go to Church.