U.S. Christian men want more from church

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

More than 85 percent of American Christian men say they are not spiritually challenged by their churches, according to a survey released Wednesday by the international men’s ministry called Promise Keepers.

The survey, conducted by the Barna Research Group, showed that family and children, career and money, and health concerns ranked higher with men than spirituality and faith. It also found that nearly six in 10 men were “marginally satisfied” with their church experience and that four in 10 would turn to Christian friends in a crisis.

“It’s certainly clear to us that we have a great mission field in front of us in reaching the men of America,” said Tom Fortson, president and chief executive of Promise Keepers. “Much, much more needs to be done to engage men with their spiritual side, and then to see them make an impact on their families, churches and communities. We’ve only scratched the surface.”

The survey of 415 men, 200 of them Promise Keepers, was conducted in Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Baltimore and Atlanta. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents said they had heard of Promise Keepers.

All those surveyed identified themselves as “born-again Christian” or “active church attenders.”

When the 200 Promise Keepers were asked why they had attended a PK conference, 44 percent said it was because someone had invited them or they knew someone else who was going. Twenty-six percent attended the ministry for reasons of spiritual growth, that is, to receive spiritual encouragement.

The ministry, which will host conferences in 18 cities this year, said one-third of the men on its list felt the event made a personal change in their lives. The event ranked among the most significant, life-changing experiences for one in eight respondents. Others felt the Promise Keepers event had been a good experience, but that it simply confirmed what they already were doing.

Respondents also revealed that the typical Christian men have about four deep male friendships but, unlike women, don’t know how to use their network of friends to get help or advice during crises. Three out of five respondents said Promise Keepers would be more attractive if there were a strong follow-up system to link men in friendships.

The typical Promise Keeper, the Denver organization said, is married, a father, white and older than 40. Only one in 10 is not white.