Macho, Macho Man

Remember that song from the Village people about the macho, macho man? A post at Cerulean Sanctum recently was on manliness and what it is. After reading what Dan said (his post was very good IMO), I would like to weigh in on this topic too. I am saddened that currently so many pastors and other ministry leaders are going back to the macho man ideal....the beer guzzling - bear huntin' smelly guy.

On one hand, we don't want to go back to the Mr. Mousy man tagging along after his wife to church. But on the other hand, men do not have to prove themselves . At my church I see what I believe are men who are getting close to the ideal. Interestingly, the ones I am about to describe are mostly under 50.

They respect their wives' skills and intellect and allow them to share in the leadership. However, I don't see them as "castrated-types." They aren't ashamed to hold their children's and other childrens' hands, escorting them up the aisle to take their places in the children's choir. And, they aren't ashamed to put their children and others' children on their shoulders on Palm Sunday when the children and teens come down the aisles holding palm branches.

And, they aren't hesitant to tell their wives that the church should do some more men things like hold a car show (to bring our church to the attention of the community), or a golf tournament (to raise money to send our youth to Christian camp in the summer). In fact, they have done both of these things. And guess what? Their wives, along with the other women of the church, applaud these activities and are very supportive. They don't have a problem with it. Why should they? Why should women resent what men do or how they are? And why should men have to "prove themselves" by doing silly macho things?

They don't. Real men don't have to prove themselves. They can teach in the pre-school Sunday school AND go on the church men's fishing trip.

Well, how about that?