Going After the GUYS...on Father's Day

This post is particularly addressed to pastors and church leaders:
What are your plans for Father's Day this year? I've been a part of the local church all of my life...on staff with two and pastored two others. I have to admit that year after year Father's Day came and went as a day we knew would be less attended and one that the dads would be preached to (some would say "scolded") for potentially not doing a good enough job. (I'm even speaking of those many years I preached "Father's Day messages.") Well, the last two or so years, I've come to a fresh revelation of the clout the dads possess in their positions. Also, I've come to realize how feminine we have designed our churches and even the setting for our worship experiences. Could this be a contributing reason why we statistically have more women interested and involved in church life...? Here's the point: More men in the church, more families! The challenge is in appealing to the everyday man out there. Three suggestions: (1) Know what appeals to the general guy and what he's looking for in a church. (2) Survey your church facilities and ministries as it relates to your "guy" study. (3) Start with Father's Day. Hey, it's his day anyway. Turn it into an outreach opportunity. At the last church I was privileged to pastor, we had "Game Day" on Father's Day and invited everyone to dress in their favorite sports jersey. We had a one hour service. I taught on "The Game" and we then went outside for a cook-out, car show and inflatables for the kids. It turned out to be one of the best attendances of the year instead of one of the worst. Give it a whirl...and go for the guys. They've got the pull!