LarkNews headlines read:
Teen seeks missions assignment where women don't wear clothes
Oh how this article made me giggle. In different missions classes the topic would come up on the general lack of men and specifically single men in most missions organisations. We talked about how missions magazines put more male pictures to portray an image that missions is a manly thing. Of all the suggestions this never came up. It might boost the percent of single males on the mission field. Somehow I cannot see it being adopted, yet for those interested I know of a country or two….
What do you think the reason for the lack of single guys going overseas and is it possible to change the trend?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
hahaha, this too made me laugh. I would like to read the follow-up article telling what the pastor thought of this guy's idea. :-) oh to be a fly on the wall for that one!
I've got my own theories about the lack of single men in the missions field - of which I will keep to myself for now. But if you ever really figure it out, let me know and I"ll help you change the trend. :-)
I think one could write a thesis on the issue of why men are not entering or are leaving the ministry.
I also think there are scriptural references that state God has a roll for men. The Christian society confuses worldly issues with Godly issues, we place a greater emphasis on tolerance and diversity than on the will of God. As a Christian society we have not brought young men up to trust God or follow His Commandments. Young men follow the path they are told is open to them. It is not ministry.
The simple answer to create change is prayer.
It is interesting that you entered this blog and requested an answer just when I learned that my church has a weeknight boys club. The question for them to answer is: "are you ready for the mission?"
Why don't single guys go into missions...well, being a single guy, have been involved in missions and actively seeking more oportunities I think I've got some insight. I don't think the church, or at least the parts of it that I've been involved with, are all that interested in having single guys in there employment. I remember looking at a listing of open missions possitions that needed to be filled, and the thing that stood out the most was the fact that the majority of them specifically asked for young couples. Some even went as far as to say that they would preffer not to have single males. I think the church today has I kind of stigma against single males. They're worried that we can't handle our horrmones and would feel much more comfortable if we we're properly married. Your dad's right, I could write a thesis simply on the things that I've experianced myself. The church doesn't encourage single males, and so we tend not to go. I've had great guys in my life that have lead me to this point. They've taught me so many things, including the fact that ministry, missions in particualar, is my path to follow. I'm extremely grateful for my faith fathers, and will for ever be in there debt.
A.T.H.
i would speculate that the reason is the same as 'why aren't there more single men involved in VBS?' or 'why aren't there more single men on the prayer chain' or whatever. Bottom line, there aren't a lot of men stepping up in the church. And the one's that do get sucked up into the american pastoral ranks.
That being said, missy should elaborate :)
Most young males interested in ministry seem to be co-opted by churches looking for youth pastors (and, as has been mentioned, they're often "encouraged" to marry). Churches nervous about women in leadership domestically, on the other hand, are often more than willing to send a single young female overseas to plant a church. In some contexts this approach is defended theologically, in others it's just religious culture.
I'm stating things a little cynically, but this seems to be one issue where some of the human "flavour" is more visible in the church than the divine.
Well written article.
Post a Comment