On thinking upon this point it sounds to me almost like another question: How do you get men to take care of or involved in their children/family?It borders on absurdity, doesn't it. But it is a valid question.We get involved if we sacrificially love, feel responsible, and obligated in a good way. Basically they have to want to. If they don't want to, that means they want something else. They can't serve two masters, and it shows. If they are pressured into some activity it causes resentment. They don't want to be hypocrites - to themselves, or like the others who they see as involved - so they just don't bother with church stuff beyond the minimum.One way is to put them in the schedule, and if they don't prepare or aren't ready for whatever they are scheduled for, the church just drops that item for that service. Basically saying - you are not replaceable, we value you, so it's you or nobody (kind of opposite of corporate America). But few churches are willing to go that route, because the church machine must go on at any cost. They are usually bailed out or replaced by someone else. So there is no accountability. We should fail more often rather than constantly be fixing church. As long as there is someone else to do it, why would I? So it involves the more active people toning down, and retreating from some posts, and reinvesting there energy in the covert behind the scenes spiritual work that is probably more important then the limelight activities.The other way is to invent certain things that need to be done at church, that can allow a guy to believe he is useful, yet not intimidate. This would help with those who are afraid yet sincere. Examples: count how many youth came to church and give a report to the pastor, get him to hand out a magazine at the exit of the church... Once this initial contact is formed, they can graduate to other activities and responsibilities.
