Based on insights from Pastor J. Wright and Dr. Pastor Ken Johnson
The Startling Reality
Walk into most churches across America on any given Sunday, and you’ll notice something immediately: women significantly outnumber men. The statistics are sobering—85% women to 15% men in many congregations, with some African-American churches seeing ratios as extreme as 90% women to 10% men. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a spiritual crisis that demands our attention and action.
The Root of the Problem: Misplaced Worship
Dr. Pastor Ken Johnson, founder of Emerging Eagles and former chaplain to professional athletes, offers a profound insight: “Men will worship something.” The question isn’t whether men worship, but what they choose to worship.
Many men have found their Sunday morning sanctuary in living rooms watching sports rather than church pews. As Dr. Johnson explains, it’s “transferable worship”—men are drawn to things that give them significance in the present moment. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of victory, the immediate gratification of entertainment—these become substitute temples for genuine spiritual connection.
The Miseducation Crisis
Dr. Johnson presents a powerful metaphor about where men are getting their “education”:
- BCU (Body-Centered University) – focusing on physical pleasures
- MCU (Money-Centered University) – chasing material wealth
- DCU (Drug-Centered University) – seeking escape through substances
- SCU (Sports-Centered University) – finding identity through athletics
Meanwhile, what we need is more men enrolled in CCU (Christ-Centered University)—grounded in purpose, aligned with their calling, and connected to their Creator.
Redefining Masculinity in Worship
One of the most damaging myths preventing men from engaging in church is the false belief that worship is somehow “effeminate.” This couldn’t be further from biblical truth.
King David—warrior, giant-slayer, and man after God’s own heart—was also a passionate worshipper who wrote psalms and played music before the Lord. He killed lions and bears with his bare hands, yet wasn’t ashamed to dance before God with all his might. True masculinity isn’t threatened by worship; it’s empowered by it.
The Biblical Warning: Seven to One
The prophet Isaiah gives us a striking picture in Isaiah 4:1: “And seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, ‘We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach.'”
This seven-to-one ratio isn’t just an ancient prophecy—it’s playing out in our churches today. When men abdicate their spiritual responsibilities, women are forced to carry burdens they were never meant to bear alone.
Practical Solutions: Meeting Men Where They Are
Dr. Johnson’s approach through Emerging Eagles and “The Man Cave” offers a blueprint for engaging men:
1. Feed Them and Have Fun
Men respond to food, fellowship, and activities. Create environments where they can eat, laugh, and connect naturally.
2. Provide Purpose and Camaraderie
Men thrive in mission-driven environments with clear objectives. Think military units, sports teams, or work crews—there’s power in united purpose.
3. Ask the Right Questions
In “The Man Cave,” men regularly discuss:
- What are you grateful for?
- What are you celebrating?
- What’s your struggle?
- What’s your word for the day?
These simple questions create vulnerability and authentic connection.
4. Embrace Action-Oriented Activities
“Brothers come out in droves to shoot something and blow up something,” Dr. Johnson notes. Men need physical outlets and hands-on experiences alongside spiritual growth.
A Call to Pastors
If you’re a pastor reading this, consider these questions:
- What specific programs do you have designed to attract and retain men?
- How are you helping men understand that strength and spirituality go hand in hand?
- Are you providing opportunities for men to lead, serve, and find their purpose?
- What would change in your church if men stepped fully into their calling?
The Generational Impact
The absence of men in church isn’t just about Sunday attendance—it’s about the future. Young boys need to see examples of godly masculinity. They need to witness men who are unashamed of their faith, who lead their families spiritually, and who understand that true strength comes from surrendering to God.
As Malachi 4:6 reminds us, God will “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
From Dancing for the Wrong Partner to Dancing for the Savior
Dr. Johnson’s testimony is powerful: he once danced in strip clubs and lived for worldly pleasures, but now he hasn’t stopped dancing—he’s just changed partners. He’s dancing for his Savior now.
This transformation illustrates a crucial truth: we don’t need to eliminate men’s natural desires for excitement, adventure, and significance. We need to redirect those desires toward their Creator and His purposes.
Moving Forward
The crisis of missing men in our churches isn’t insurmountable, but it requires intentional action:
- Recognize the problem – Acknowledge the disparity and its impact
- Address the myths – Challenge false notions about masculinity and faith
- Create targeted programs – Design ministries that speak to men’s hearts and minds
- Build authentic community – Provide spaces for real relationships and honest conversations
- Equip for purpose – Help men discover their calling and step into their destiny
The Time Is Now
The question “Where are the men?” demands an answer—not just in statistics, but in transformed lives, strengthened families, and revitalized churches. When men take their rightful place as spiritual leaders and active participants in God’s kingdom, everyone benefits.
The men aren’t lost; they’re just looking in the wrong places for what only God can provide. It’s time to help them find their way home—to the Father who’s been waiting for them all along.