Brian Tome, a speaker at the No Regrets Men's Conference, dives into the unique challenges faced by men in American churches. He highlights how church environments often cater to women, leaving men's struggles like mental health and loneliness largely unaddressed. They discuss the need for authentic connections and the importance of initiatives like 'man camp' to foster a sense of community among men. Tome advocates for churches to embrace vulnerability and create spaces where men can build genuine relationships while exploring their faith.
Brian Tome emphasizes the necessity for churches to restructure their approach to better connect with men's emotional and social needs.
The podcast highlights the importance of community initiatives like Life Camp USA in supporting young men who have lost fathers, fostering resilience through shared experiences.
Deep dives
Supporting Fatherless Young Men
Life Camp USA is dedicated to mentoring young men who have lost fathers in military or law enforcement services. The organization provides a week-long, all-expenses-paid camp experience designed to inspire and support these young men as they navigate life's challenges without their fathers. By helping them establish healthy identities, values, and goals, the camp aims to fill the void left by their absent fathers and provide the necessary guidance for their development. This initiative underscores the importance of community support in fostering resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
The Importance of Reaching Men
Brian Tome emphasizes the critical role of addressing men's needs within church communities, highlighting that men often face significant isolation and depression. With alarming statistics indicating that men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, Tome advocates for the need to connect men emotionally and socially. He suggests that the typical church environment often fails to resonate with men, as it targets women and does not speak in a way that men can relate to. By adopting a more masculine tongue in discussions and programs, churches can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for men.
Building Connections Among Men
Tome identifies loneliness as a central issue facing men today, advocating for creating spaces that enable them to connect meaningfully. He suggests that churches should facilitate activities that bring men together around shared interests, fostering relationships through communal experiences rather than traditional study groups. He highlights the importance of using 'thing-based' connections, such as sporting events or social gatherings, to encourage bonding among men. This approach can help rebuild the connective tissue that has largely disappeared in modern society, providing men with a sense of belonging and support.
This week, we have Brian Tome, another speaker at this year's No Regrets Men's Conference. Steve and Brian talk about what Brian has been up to lately and some of his background but then really dig into why the church isn't geared toward men and what it would look like to change that in your church or ministry.