Where are the men? As I sat back and looked over the statistics, I couldn’t help but shake my head and pray for strength and wisdom. According to davidmurrow.com, the typical US congregation draws an adult crowd of 61% female and 39% male worshipers. 25% of married, church going women will worship without their husband. Midweek church activities draw 70-80% female participation. And, fewer than 10% of US churches can establish and maintain a vibrant men’s ministry.  

So, I ask again. Where are the men? They are at work, at home, at the game, at the lake, in the yard, at the local bar, the local biker club, the hunt club, the golf course, and Masonic lodge. Thinking about all this, the realization hits me that the thought process in which men are solitary creatures who just don’t like the crowds is a farce. Men often enjoy crowds, and they enjoy being part of something larger than themselves. And yet, the American church has a drastic shortage of male involvement. Some would say it’s because men don’t like religion. I disagree!

According to pewresearch.org Islam is 65% male, Orthodox Christianity is 56% male, and Hinduism is 62% male. This immediately shows us that it is not the “religion” aspect that men are walking away from in the US churches, since Evangelical Protestants are only 45% male. It must be something else! After reading multiple books and articles concerning the exodus of men from the American church, I was left with a lot of confusion and unanswered questions. 

After much prayer and time with the Holy Spirit, I began to recognize a pattern among the organizations that were attracting men. These organizations have systems that men are attracted to and desire to be connected with. They recognize hard work, dedication, and the successful pursuit of purpose in the lives of their members. And thus, “The Brotherhood” was born. A Christian Fraternal Order of men who desire to serve Jesus Christ by advancing the Kingdom of God, to create a legacy for their family, and become the support structure that their local church needs to thrive. 

The Brotherhood will strive to become the catalyst for powerful men, united in Christian brotherhood, advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through strategic community service, methodical church growth, and intentional business creation with a family oriented approach. 

The Brotherhood is NOT a secret organization. However, it does not have an open membership policy. Membership is only open to men who have publicly confessed that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, who have dedicated their life to the advancement of the Gospel, and who have proven their commitment to this cause with the faithful pursuit of fellowship, public worship, evangelism, and higher Christian education. 

Bishop Walter McLeod
Patriarch of The Brotherhood