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—Tim

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the reason there aren't any single men in the church is that they're out looking for sex. Until the sexual mores change in our culture and men "have" to get married to get sex, things really aren't going to change much.

—Kristi

One thing I think the article did not address is the idea of reaping and sowing, and how this generation—;now about 40 years post-sexual revolution—;is dealing with the consequences of choices made by generations past. Much has been destroyed by the change in sexual mores that began in the 1960s, and the choices of each generation have had a cumulative effect on the next. Sin harms everyone, including the innocent.

—Lisa

Perhaps part of the problem of men missing in the church is that much of Christianity is presented in a way that doesn't challenge men to be active participants. Often Jesus is presented more as a divine boyfriend than as a God to whom men can relate. Also, in many places, the church doesn't address the struggles men face in a frank and realistic way but instead presents an image of the ideal Christian whom many men find hard to emulate. Men want to see authentic male Christians.

—Colin

I believe the absence of men in the church is related to the lack of adults taking seriously the need to truly disciple younger generations. This is a much bigger issue for men than it is for women. There's a significant need for Christian men to invest in the lives of boys. If we want to see a growing number of men excited and energized about church and church involvement, we must begin with the boys in our churches.

—Don

I believe what keeps men away from church is the judgment that is pasted on them. Jesus said, "Come as you are," but once men walk through the door, the message is: "You have to be a certain way." As a youth pastor for several years, I've encountered men who are judged in every arena of their lives. The last place they want to be on their day off is a place of judgment.

Why is it that when this issue is addressed, it is the men who need to change something?

—Rick

If we want men involved in the church and the Christian life, we need to offer them what they need and try to find in bars, at basketball games, and hunting—fellowship with other men. Churches need to invest time and energy to create a fun, open, social environment where men can hang loose, take off their masks, and experience the kind of Christian fellowship they'll tell other men about.

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