Understanding Men in a Biblical Context
Oftentimes, when traveling
with my husband presenting Champions of Honor ministry to men,
I am asked if we have anything like Champions
for women. I have always felt like the church did a pretty good job
providing ministry to women. We have ministry to young moms, single
women, single moms, divorced women, widows, women recovering from addictions of
every kind, empty nesters and, well, pretty much everyone.
Intercessory prayer groups
are made up of mostly women. We have small groups consisting of those who
provide for special needs in and of the church such as decorating and funeral
food to name a couple. We have hostesses and greeters and nursery
workers. There are outstanding bible studies out there with video
teaching and workbooks, just for women.
Then something happened that
had a great impact on me. My husband, Chuck, had been invited to Evangel World
Prayer Center,
a large church in Louisville,
KY to commission their men, men
who had paid the price of championship. The men were asked to come back
to the evening service. They were invited to come forward and form a
prayer tunnel and pray for all the men in the service that evening. The
line formed around the sanctuary. It was very moving to me as I sat on
the pew praying for all those who were coming forward.
I saw a beautiful young
woman come forward and enter the tunnel. At first I was confused because
it was clear the invitation had been for men. Then I saw what was
happening. She had a little boy in her arms and she wanted the prayers of
these "Champions of Honor" for her son. He was the "man" she was taking
through the tunnel. I continue to be impacted by her courage, her desire
for her son. That's when the light went on for me.
When God called Chuck to
minister to men He filled me with the same passion to see men take their places
spiritually and "step up to the plate". The Lord gave us a desire to see
men equipped, and ministered to, in "masculine context" which we felt was
missing in most churches. I believe everybody wins when a man is in right
relationship with God and his family. Statistically, when a man is saved,
he will reach his family for Christ about 94% of the time compared to about 17%
for women and 3% for children. (George Barna)
In our culture today - in
many homes- the man is not there to "step up". He may have left the home,
never entered the home to begin with, may be in the home but absent
spiritually, or may have even passed away.
"Women of Excellence" was born out of that moment. It is a ministry to
women, focused on their relationship to the men in their lives whatever that
is, i.e. son, brother, step-son, husband, father, and especially to their
Father in heaven. After reading many Biblically masculine books for men in research
for ‘Champions
of Honor,' God gave me great insight in this area and I believe we can
all benefit from understanding men in this context. We seek to build healthy
attitudes and understanding in this area.
Many of us have no
understanding of men and what makes them tick because we have had either no
relationship with our father or a skewed one at best. This has left us with little or no ability to
choose a proper mate not to mention the effect on men trying to be a proper
mate. Everyone is disadvantaged.
Countless studies have been
done and much has been written on the subject of fathers because each and every
one of us is affected by our relationship with our dad or lack thereof.
"WE" do not feel any
purpose is served by "beating up" on dads or any other men in our lives but
seek instead to broaden our understanding of these wonderful creatures called
men, after all the scripture says " we are fearfully and wonderfully made!"
"WE"compiled a list tailored for this purpose, to
help women understand and relate to the men in their lives, including Father
God. As we explore the masculinity of
the men in our lives we will begin to understand the femininity that God has so
wonderfully created in us to complete us as His children.
Helping to Share the Vision,
Rhonda Brewster
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2008 Newsletter - Volume 2