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From Publishers Weekly
Murrow, a television writer and producer, asks and effectively answers the question: "What is it about modern Christianity that is driving men away?" Just 35% of American men say they attend church weekly, he reports, and women make up more than 60% of the typical congregation on a given Sunday. Murrow contends that the church caters to women, children and the elderly by creating a safe, predictable environment. This alienates anyone fond of risk taking, including young men and women, but men are affected most. In order to reach men, Murrow suggests, churches must "adjust the thermostat" to embrace the masculine spirit: let men lead; give them tasks; encourage pastors to show strength and teach men through object lessons, letting them discover truth for themselves. Two of the best outreach methods: start rigorous mentoring programs and help men make friends with other men. Murrow bases his conclusions on what he claims are legitimate biological and cultural gender differences. He is aware that these observations might offend, and his thesis will find few takers among those who believe that the church needs less, not more, male influence. But Murrow's work is quite likely to get an enthusiastic reception from many Christian men. It contains sharp observations that will provoke much discussion—and, perhaps, some change. (Mar. 24)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
According to the author, American men hate going to church, as evidenced by a wealth of statistics that point to an ever-widening gap between female and male churchgoers. Regardless of denomination, it appears that most Christian churches are unintentionally designed to appeal to women and children. How to solve the growing gender gap in congregations of every type? Murrow advocates injecting a strong shot of testosterone into the proceedings to restore the masculine spirit to the church. Churches need to provide a more challenging and confrontational approach to religion and spiritual issues instead of concentrating on more traditional-- and female-oriented--calls for conformity, control, and ceremony. Whether or not you fully buy into his somewhat simplistic hypothesis and solution, Murrow does provide some provocative food for thought on a hot-button topic. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Jesus Christ, George Barna, Rick Warren, Promise Keepers, John Eldredge, Holy Spirit, Brother Vince, New Testament, Robert Lewis, Barna Research, Lee Strobel, Thom Rainer, Douglas Wilson, Gordon Dalbey, Kevin Leman, Sam Keen, United States, Velvet Coffin Christianity, Bruce Barton, Leon Podles New!
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59 of 63 people found the following review helpful: You'd better read this..., April 21, 2005 Reviewer: James Porter (Caldwell, ID USA) - See all my reviews    If your reading of Eldredge's "Wild At Heart" left you feeling a little "squishy," you'll probably find the meat you were looking for in Murrow's book. As a pastor who frequently wrings his hands wondering "where are the men?" this book was incredibly insightful as to where they have gone and why they're not in my congregation on Sunday mornings. It will change the way we do church around here, for sure. It will confirm some of your key suspicions, an--in my case-- challenge me to make changes I know have to come if we're going to see men in church again. The guy's a good writer, too.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful: Unique Insights!, October 23, 2005 Reviewer: David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews       Murrow here gives some good, unique insights as to why men tend to shy away from church attendance and involvement. He explains that today's church has become much more feminine than the New Testament church in its meetings and ministry. He provides helpful tips on getting more men involved in congregational life, with an underlying theme of restoring more masculinity to Christian gatherings. Among church growth/Christian living books, this title is unique. I recommend it to church leaders wanting new insights on how to get men back into the church.

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: excellent, December 12, 2006 Reviewer: Joshua D. Jones (France) - See all my reviews    I don't need to say what so many others already have. The book gives an earthy, practical view on why men aren't coming to church. No "Jezebel Spirit" or anti-man demons to blame. He hits the nail onthe head in explaining that church has become out and out chickified and that church leadership better rediscover how to make dudes feel comfortable in church. (kill the flower arrangment!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Fabulous, Balanced, Well-Written Exploration of an Important Problem, November 26, 2006 Reviewer: M. Sanchez (Boston) - See all my reviews    I am an evangelical woman who deeply cares about the state of men in the church, and I cannot communicate enough how much I appreciate this book. I am currently in seminary writing a paper on this topic, and in my estimation this book by far is the best of anything that is currently available. David Murrow does a fabulous job of exploring the causes for the dearth of men in the church and proposes a variety of insightful and helpful solutions. His writing is superb - funny, clear, relaxed, and neatly organized, but at the same time responsible and meticulously researched. I particularly appreciated Murrow's well-balanced approach to the issue. Unlike some, he does not attempt to demote the place of women in the church or argue against women's ordination. The truth is that regardless of what one thinks about that issue, even churches that do not ordain women still suffer from a gender gap (including Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists). Thankfully Murrow notes: "Maybe you're thinking female pastors just can't reach men. Well male pastors aren't exactly packing 'em in either. Ninety-five percent of the senior pastors in America are male, but only 39 percent of the adults who show up on Sunday are male. Maybe the key isn't the gender of the pastor. Maybe it's the spirit of the pastor." (174) He then goes on to note that there have been scores of faithful Christian women who have mobilized hundreds of men to service. One example that he gives is Henrietta Mears, a female Christian leader who mobilized more than four hundred people - mostly males - to go into full-time ministry. Her most famous disciple was Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ). Rather than applying quick-fix, patriarchal band-aids, Murrow truly explores the heart of this problem, and I really believe that he presents solutions that will bring glory to God and build up everyone - men, women, and children alike. I heartily recommend it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Good and important thoughts - weak writing, November 23, 2006 Reviewer: Richard G. Gitschlag "rgitschlag" (Tillamook, Or United States) - See all my reviews    I just finished this after reading "What Could He be Thinking" by Michael Gurian (Non-Christian) and "No More Christian Nice Guy" by Paul Coughlin (Christian). I was somewhat disappointed by what passes for modern writing, especially on such an important subject as this. I kept losing mental momentum with all the quotations from other authors and the illustrating stories. What would be wrong with simply stating the points the author wants to make and supporting them with strong logical thought? It's like this author wasn't sure he could support his main thoughts without calling on a whole ton of other 'experts'. Not that these sources are weak, but it made this author come across (to me at least) as less than confident in his own mind. I don't think he is alone, most of the recent Christian writing is like this. Are the days of authors like G.K.Chesterton or C.S.Lewis gone for good? This complaint aside, I found this book to be very valuable in raising the right questions and proposing some answers. And his understanding of the natural male-female differences closely follows recent biochemical research results. As politically un-correct as that is. I ended up giving this book to a woman elder in my church, as I think my pastor has bought too deeply into the Christian feminism theology. I am waiting to hear back from her.

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful: when men dont go to church, November 9, 2006 Reviewer: Melvin Rennells (winona MN) - See all my reviews    it was used as a church study group, we ordered 15 copies, and they said it turns out the class spend too much time on the subject

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