WOMEN'S WORK - Church is for girly-men!

According to David Murrow, author of Why Men Hate Going to Church (Nelson Books, 2005), churches are organized to appeal to their greatest constituency - women.

Murrow says churches are failing to challenge men to live out their faith boldly and according to their God given strengths and gifts.

Murrow is quoted as having said,

Most of our volunteer opportunities in a local church involve traditionally feminine roles -- childcare, teaching, singing, cooking, planning for gatherings - not a lot for men to do in a local church.

The ideal values of a Christian are often identified as nurturing, verbal expression, tenderness, gentleness. If that's the definition of a Christian, it's going to be a lot harder for a man to achieve that than for a woman to, in most cases.

We have to give men opportunities to use their strengths and their gifts in the service of God instead of trying to squeeze them into roles that they feel are feminine or emasculating, .... We need to start valuing masculine traits such as aggression, boldness, and competitiveness and figuring out ways that we can integrate that into every area of church life.

Whoa, is that pre-'60s chauvenism rearing its ugly head again ... Gloria Steinem where are you when the ladies need you?

The author points to statistics which show more than 20 percent of married women attend church alone. While church leadership is predominantly male, Murrow says studies suggest women make up the backbone of churches, and represent over 60 percent of membership and even a greater percentage of volunteers.

Marcia Ford, writing a review for FaithfulReader, gives Murrow and his book high marks. She writes ...

I've reviewed important books on topics that span the spiritual spectrum, from critical theological issues to dastardly religious practices. But without qualification, I can say that no book was more important than this one. David Murrow has struck a nerve that has needed striking for years. (continue reading ... )

What do you think, is this a nerve that needs tweeking? Are men staying away because they feel like girly-men in today's churches? And, are the stats skewed away from any segment of Murrows statistical universe which might refute his arguements?

Another review, by Bill Duncan for NewsReview, is here.