The acronym for REAL men has been used and applied in different ways and contexts. My good friend Luke McCown teaches that it stands for:
• Rejects Passivity
• Engages with God
• Accepts Responsibility
• Leads Courageously
For churches to be healthy, it will require godly, healthy leadership. I Corinthians 16:13 is a biblical challenge for men to act like men, but what does that mean and what does it not mean? God made male and female, and in His divine wisdom, He made them distinctively and uniquely different. There is a call in Scripture to be alert, stand firm in the faith and be strong men.
One of my favorite “man” moments was years ago in Indianapolis, Ind., at a Promise Keepers event. The stadium was packed, and everyone sang, “Rise Up O Men of God.” The third verse states, “Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait, her strength unequal to her task; rise up, and make her great!” That anthem should challenge every man to rise up, be who God intended for you to be and lead courageously. Be the spiritual warrior God has called you to be by leading in your marriage, family and church. God desires for you to refuse to abandon your assignment as spiritual leaders.
Biblically authentic manhood requires rejecting passivity. Jim Goodwin stated, “The impossible is often the untried.” It means that you engage with God by pursuing Him and abiding in Him. Missionary Jim Elliot is known for stating, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot gain to keep what he cannot lose.” REAL men accept their responsibility as men of God. Abraham Lincoln said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Sing it loudly, “Rise up, O men of God.” Then you must lead courageously. Billy Graham stated, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man stands, the spines of others are stiffened.”
This is not a call to male chauvinism, but rather a call to accepting God’s intended design. This is not a matter of deprecation, but rather a distinction of roles. Both sexes are perfectly imperative, and are to be embraced and celebrated. You are wonderfully and fearfully made. God knew what He was doing when He decided for you to be born either a male or a female. Actually, it seems that the pendulum in today’s culture values female qualities over those of men. The challenge here is multi-faceted, but once again, both male and female values are needed and they are meant to complement one another, not compete.
In Why Men Hate Going to Church, David Murrow writes about how many churches today value safety over risk, stability over change, preservation over expansion and predictability over adventure. Perhaps the need is not to call men back to the church, but rather to call the church back to men? Interestingly, there is a trend where Gen Z men are now more likely to attend church than Gen Z women. The New York Times reported, “For the first time in modern American history, young men are now more religious than their female peers. They attend services more often and are more likely to identify as religious.”
Andrew Walker has stated, “Aside from all the ways that men play the role of American culture’s scapegoat (‘toxic masculinity’), mainstream American life is deeply feminine… Elite American culture simultaneously mocks men who are unapologetic in their masculinity as simpletons and cavemen, while upholding the gender-sensitive metrosexual or finely draped homosexual as the epitome of masculinity.” Phil Mitchell stated, “Christian doctrine is the antithesis to this madness. The Bible is very clear — men and women are different. They play different roles in society, in church and in the home.”
In A New Kind of Church, written in 2007, Aubrey Malphurs addressed this issue. “Today’s churches must realize that Jesus, His disciples and the early church didn’t have any problem attracting men. They developed a culture that included such characteristics as challenge (Matt. 4:18-19), commitment (Matt. 4:20), conviction (Acts 20:22-24) and risk (Acts 4:29), as well as a number of other qualities that likely attracted men. If our churches are to make a difference in the future, it is imperative that they address this issue.” His comments almost appear prophetic because of the cultural bent of today.
There is hope, first because of who God is and because of what is being seen in Gen Z. For your church to be healthy, men need to step up and be the men of God He has called them to be. Masculinity, in a God-honoring way, is not a sin and is actually essential and expected by the Creator. Joseph Rhea says it well, “Both genders are adopted sons of God; both genders compose the bride of Christ; both genders fulfill the Great Commission, receive the Great Commandment, live in Word and sacrament, and prayer and community.” Yet, living as spiritual men and women of God differs in some ways in the sanctification process.
Here are some qualities and characteristics of biblical manhood that help in our definition of REAL men:
• Humility — He acknowledges dependence on God and submits to His will.
• Control — He exercises self-control and avoidance of sin.
• Family — He provides guidance, support and security for one’s wife and children.
• Leading — He does this with gentleness, kindness and a willingness to serve.
• Righteousness — He pursues a life that reflects God’s character and values.
• Sacrificial love — He loves others with a willingness to lay down their life for their loved ones.
• Servant — He is generous, hospitable and caring for those in need, and it is a godly example!
In verse one of “Rise Up, O Men of God” it states; “Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings.” REAL men sing verse four out loudly and courageously, “Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod. As brothers of the Son of Man, rise up, O men of God.”
