DL6b: "No Men", Methodist vs Lutheran preaching & practice

     This concludes from Part 6a (Table of Contents in Part 1) in a series presenting Der Lutheraner, 1888-1934, in English. — It seems humorous what the Methodists thought about their problem and how to solve it. The "Promise Keepers" movement, started 25 years ago, attempted to help men "live with integrity" and "take a stand for Christ". But with what methods?  Their name gives the answer. — The points that Bente describes of the Old Missouri Synod reminded me of my youth where there were many men who attended services, my father included.  From Der Lutheraner, vol. 55 (1899), p. 228 [EN]:

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“No Men in the Church.”

[by Prof. Friedrich Bente]

Now, just as the Methodists do not recognize the actual reason why men turn their backs on the sectarian churches, they are also not able to name the right means that alone can remedy the problem. One of them said at the congress that the preacher must be friendly with the men, especially with the young men, and thus attract them to himself. Another advised that the preacher form associations among the young men and brotherhoods among the men. A third explained that nothing would help if the preacher did not find out the difference between the spirit of a man and the spirit of a woman. Until now, only female food had been offered, so it was no wonder that the men stayed away where they could not get anything. But if the “male Christ” is preached, men will also come to church. Thus the enthusiasts believe that they can solve “the problem of the present” with a number of tricks and nonsensical phrases, which can only be done by the serious handling of the Word of God on the part of the preacher, the whole congregation and each individual Christian. 

We German Lutherans, as everyone knows, have had churches and services in many places for many decades. However, we have had no cause to join in the general complaint of the sects and papists: “No men in the church,” praise God. In our church attendance, it is the men who have stood their ground. Where does this come from? Because the Lutheran church has so far not wanted to know about sectarian means (socials, etc.) to lure people into the church. Hence, because it has thoroughly instructed its youth in God's Word, so that they could understand and appreciate Christian doctrinal sermons. Hence, because through God's Word the conscience has been constantly sharpened with regard to regular attendance at church services. Therefore, because we have fought with all seriousness, by word and deed, the theater, saloon and lodge system. Finally, because our preachers have preached not from the newspapers, but from the Scriptures, and have thus proclaimed the Gospel, which can make both men and women blessed. And if we continue on the course we have taken and see to it that in the future, too, God's Word will prevail and be brought to bear in all things and everywhere, in the pulpits, in the congregational meetings, and in the families, we need not fear that the complaint of the sects will ever come from among us: “No men in the church.”    F. B.    [Friedrich Bente]

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The "church growth" movement has used the Methodist inspired methods reported above, and more like them.  But the Old Missouri Synod proved that the true Lutheran way is the only way to produce lasting results — through God's Word alone.