Christianity Is Short On Men

     Here are the facts: the typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in younger ages as well. A typical Sunday 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands. Midweek activities shows up to 80 percent female participants. About 70% of the boys who are being raised in church will abandon it during their teens and twenties. Many of these boys will never return.
     Surveys show that more than 90 percent of American men believe in God, and five out of six call themselves Christians. But only one out of six attend church on a given Sunday. The average man accepts the reality of Jesus Christ, but fails to see any value in going to church. Less than 10% of U.S. churches are able to establish or maintain a vibrant men’s ministry.
However, Church is good for men: Churchgoers are more likely to be married and express a higher level of satisfaction with life. Church involvement is the most important ingredient of marital stability and happiness. Church involvement moves people out of poverty. It’s also correlated with less depression, more self-esteem and greater family and marital happiness. Religious participation leads men to become more engaged husbands and fathers. Teens with religious fathers are more likely to say they enjoy spending time with dad and that they admire him.
     Also; men are good for the church: A study from Hartford Seminary found that the presence of involved men was statistically correlated with church growth, health, and harmony. Meanwhile, a lack of male participation is strongly associated with congregational decline.
     This tells me, things are better (church, family, society) are better off when both men and women, lock arms for the challenges ahead. Together we are the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Apart from each other there are many forms of discord.