Most Christians would agree that the breakdown of the Family is a fundamental flaw in society. It really doesn’t require any substantiation at this point. Even secular counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, psy-whatevers are keen to the disastrous effects in society. Equally obvious: the world has neither the answers nor the slightest interest in changing course. Living in an underdeveloped country for 18+ years, we regularly see how “the Agenda” (of destroying the Family) is openly promoted, implemented and proscribed by outsiders. Charity, “humanitarian aid”, grants, loans, sponsorships and development “partnerships” are typically linked to requirements to adopt and cooperate with the Family Deconstruction Agenda. Such antics of secular humanism are to be expected. What is not to be expected is the Church’s participation, be it knowingly or unwittingly, in the same. Let’s examine one small piece: Missions.
In the not so distant past, Christian Missions did some things we rarely, if ever, see today: Vocational Training Institutions and Schools...for men and boys; Seminaries and Bible Schools...for men. Community Work Projects...that trained and employed...local men. Evangelism ventures into literally uncharted territories...staffed entirely with local Christian men. Sponsorships and Scholarships of all sorts...targeting family heads, “breadwinners” and leaders...all men. If there was only one program, one initiative, one opportunity to influence a people group with Christ and His Gospel, it was directed at the head: men. That may not be politically correct, but it sure is God’s wisdom...
“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
It is God’s plan of Order. It is His prescription for holy, righteous and fruitful living within His economy. Yet as much as Christians lament the disintegration of the Family unit, we are oftentimes the ones bucking against His Order. Part and parcel of the very tragedy we complain about. We wring our hands over the absence of men in the family, in the church and in the pulpit. And yet the clear majority of missions’ plans, projects and personnel are directed towards children and women. “Sponsorship” programs abound...for children. Income generating projects abound...for “widows, abused and underprivileged women.” Scholarships and academic development programs are most often designed to uplift, advance and develop “young girls” otherwise “left behind.” The assumption is that men (and oftentimes boys) have had disproportionate opportunities in the past, so now is the time to “fix the problem.” After all, the mantra goes, “Jesus loved women more than anyone. And Jesus loves the children.” The consequent outcome? “Adam” is not only last...he is entirely irrelevant. He is not only overlooked; he is, by program design, “disqualified.”
Regardless of what the specific mission ministry is, adult men and fathers are keen to the obvious lack of interest in them and their plight. The mothers, wives, concubines, prostitutes, girlfriends and daughters are embraced, enrolled, educated, encouraged and equipped by any number of missionaries and projects. Oftentimes to fill Roles and Responsibilities that should be fulfilled first and foremost by the Men: leading, providing, protecting and living as Christ-like examples to all others. The men see their children collected, sponsored, fed, clothed, evangelized, discipled and encouraged...while they themselves are left sitting...at a “safe” distance. “Sitting” for sure: idle, unengaged and uninvolved. Consequently, “Adam” becomes more Absent than he already was. AWOL: Adam’s Absent Without Leave. God never dismissed him. God never changed His mandate for men and fathers. But the mission boards, missionaries, short term teams and countless sponsorship programs have a more modern view of how to do God’s work. And it’s very much “male-optional.”
In all my years on the mission field, I have yet to see one short term missions team dedicated solely to ministering to local “men.” But plenty exclusively trying to “uplift” women and/or children. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to attract a short-term team if it doesn’t involve ministering to women and children. At best, men get lumped into some blended group activity with the women, mothers, young girls, street boys, orphans, widows, homeless and the trendy “human trafficking” niche. Later we wonder why “so few men” have come to the crusade, the outreach, the seminar, training or teaching. And why “so few men” are in the churches. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy....of the worst sort. Having accommodated the Gospel to modern philosophies, we have relegated Adam’s position and portion to the last, the least and the leftovers.
Ignoring the men is bit like fighting fires without confronting the arsonists. You can’t really help the women and children without first and foremost ministering to the men and fathers.
The world’s misandrous “Agenda” has infected Missions. It’s not only destroying the family...it’s also emasculating the Church.
At the DSM Bible Schools, we minister exclusively to Pastors and Ministry Leaders. And specifically, those who live and minister in the urban slums, where the vast majority of people live. We have always allowed women to participate...gender is not an issue. Various ministry functions are rightly led by women. But in the past few years, we have an increasing number of female “Bishops”, “Pastors”, and “Apostles” applying to the program. Almost without exception, each and every one is divorced, separated or living in fornication. And their familiar disorder promotes further disorder in the house of God. If they otherwise qualify, we allow them into the program. But not to encourage them in their assumed roles, nor their familial disorder. Quite the opposite. The open-door policy provides perhaps the only opportunity to expose them to the counsel and correction of God. We advise women from the first day that we do not believe pastoring, nor leadership over men is within God’s Order. That is what God’s Word teaches, and so we teach it without compromise. In other words, we are quite politically incorrect in the church today.
The point here is this: women are being supported, encouraged, trained, equipped, “discipled” and promoted into leadership roles that are reserved for men. And countless missions, mission teams and missionaries are promoting this anti-biblical Agenda. And at the same time, they wonder why “Adam” is Absent Without Leave...from the home, the church and the pulpit. The level of cognitive dissonance is simply astounding. It’s time we get back to God’s prescribed Roles and Responsibilities for men, women and children. In the family, in leadership, in submission...in His Order. After all, His creation, order and roles were all deemed “good.” Six times in the first Chapter of the Bible...
“...And God saw that it was good.” Gen 1:10
We cannot improve on God’s Order. It is to our own peril that we re-order what God has set in place. To some missions and missionaries, this Biblical perspective may seem foolish, old fashioned, insensitive, unenlightened, even somewhat abusive. But perhaps we should reconsider the very beginning of all the troubles of this fallen world...
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked... And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God...Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ “
God confronted Adam first. Not Eve. Not the Serpent. But Adam...front and center. Adam had been Absent Without Leave when the Serpent was enticing Eve. Since then, the Serpent hasn’t changed. God hasn’t change. But somehow, we think we know a better way to do things.
Maybe Missions and Missionaries should focus where God did: Counsel and Correction for all.
But Adam first. Front and Center.
