My Brothers and Sisters,
In once again declaring June as Men’s month, the intention is to focus on our men and to invite those men who have not been attending church to return and be actively involved in the ministry of the church. It is also to recognize the importance of our men in the life of the church and its future growth. It is to challenge them to live Jesus shaped lives and become intentional disciple makers. Men, your presence is important.
A study done in Switzerland in 2000 concluded that the religious practice of the father of the family determines the future attendance 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.”
Let me therefore invite the men to have and 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. We welcome the suggestions and added participation of our men .
Yours in Ministry, Patrick+