15 Comments
User's avatar
Nathan Smith's avatar

I’m concerned that the return of young men to church appears to coincide with the departure of young women. Disappointment and alienation are on the horizon if churches can’t find a way to meet the needs of men and women.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Yes! This is also a huge part of this issue that I feel concerned about but didn't address here. This is also part of the discipleship thing, I think. There's so little space for women, at least in a dignifying and empowering way.

Expand full comment
Brittany Hart's avatar

Thank you for this Joshua. I never considered how the Left has alienated men and how that’s connected to these trends.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

It's like one node in a growing rhizome of things, but I do think it's significant!

Expand full comment
Christina Gonzalez Ho's avatar

So good Joshua!! This is spot on and articulates exactly the discomfort I’ve been feeling as I’ve read the same types of articles. As someone who has prayed for many years for revival to come to America…this is not what I meant lol.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Thank you, Christina. I am willing to except that revival is a multistep process, one of which is the joining thing that Jennings talks about, bringing people who wouldn't otherwise be friends into community together, and I need the Spirit's help here... a lot, lol. BUT, I also want to see faithful discipleship!

Expand full comment
Hannah Pfister's avatar

Rigorous and thoughtful meditation. Loved this.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Thanks, Hannah. Your approval always means a lot to me 🙏🏼

Expand full comment
Yi Ning Chiu's avatar

So interesting. Would love a follow up to this post.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Sara Billups's avatar

Yes. Thank you Joshua, this all rings completely true. Glad you're writing about this, and I hope it unwinds into a series or something longer, I'll take any thoughts you want to share.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Thank you, Sara!

Expand full comment
Cheryl's avatar

VERY well said Joshua. Thank you for the clarity and the emphasis on teaching and discipling young men in The Way of Jesus. The "majority" worldly culture will always be power-based. The Kingdom of God will always, necessarily, be at odds with those fear and scarcity based motives that seek to dominate others. The cure, as always, is Jesus. Blessings.

Expand full comment
Joshua Bocanegra's avatar

Thanks for reading, Cheryl! Discipleship is a powerful way to curb harmful political and cultural trends, no matter what side of the "aisle" one chooses to sit in. And a hundred times yes on the idea that the Kingdom of God is always at odds with the kingdoms of the world.

Expand full comment
Amanda Geidl's avatar

Thank you for writing this. I’ll be thinking about it for a few days!

Expand full comment