I don’t claim to know much at all about Jewish clothing traditions, but I was recently impressed by a group of Jewish students who were staying in the same motel. Each boy wore a small hat (called a Kippah) on top of his head every day. The girls in the group really didn’t seem to have any distinguishing clothing to declare they were Jewish. There may be a dress code for teen girls, but I didn’t pick up on anything similar to the boys’ kippahs.
Those encounters started me thinking about the powerful statement of the male being adorned with the obvious outward symbol of faith. In a sense, they are leading the way for the whole faith community to be known in the world. So often, at least in my limited view, I can tell the faith tradition of women by the way they dress, but not always the men. I recognize traditional nuns by their Habits, but not always the priests. I can recognize Pentecostal church women or Mennonite, but not always the men.
We need defining characteristics so people will know we are men of faith. And those defining characteristics will also help us remember. Several years back, I had one of those Ichthus fish symbols attached to my car. The fish symbol came to mind when I was going too fast. It was as much a reminder to me as it was a witness to those who saw it. The outward symbol reminded me to stick with my beliefs and live them.
Wouldn’t it be great if the women and children in our lives were known as upstanding Christians because of the outward expression of faith from us men? That’s why we need to be in church.
Men need to be in church for several reasons: worship, growth, faith-building, and the list goes on. But one reason is so they’re reminded they follow Christ. By attending worship on Sundays, they tell themselves and the world that God is first in their lives. And much like those boys in the motel, the men “wear” the outward symbol of commitment and presence in church on Sunday morning, leading the family in faithfulness to God.
One really important key to knowing that children will be in church and have a better chance of following Jesus for life is the father living out faith in Christ by attending worship faithfully.
So, for guys who are reading this: make a commitment to be in church. Worship Jesus. Lead your homes. Be strong and courageous. Support your pastor. Be pillars in the church. Model faithfulness. Watch your words and your temper, and be strong and gentle. And don’t give up on faith.
I’m grateful to be a part of a church where there are lots of men in worship. I’m not saying that we can’t grow in faith outside of church, but the first step is in church. We need men to be Christ followers, and that starts with a commitment to being a part of His church.
