My Brothers and Sisters
In observing June as Men’s month, the intention is to focus on our men and invite those who have not been attending church to return and be actively involved in the church's ministry. It is also to recognize the importance of our men in the church's life and its future growth. A study done in Switzerland in 2000 concluded that the religious practice of the father of the family determines the future attendance at, or absence from, church by the children.
If a father does not go to church, no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. If a father does go regularly, regardless of the practice of the mother, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers (regular and irregular). If a father goes but irregularly to church, regardless of his wife’s devotion, between half and two-thirds of their offspring will attend church regularly or occasionally.
A study from Hartford Seminary found that involved men are statistically correlated with church growth, health and harmony. Lack of male participation is associated with congregational decline. Let me therefore invite the men to exhibit an abiding faith, sacrificial love, and commitment in the life of the church and be a positive influence for others, especially young men and boys, so that they may commit themselves to the service of Christ and his Church. Men, the Lord is depending on us to grow the church.
I ask your prayers for a speedy recovery after surgery.
Patrick +
