Where are the men in this generation? Where are the leaders that will rise up and establish the kingdom of God? Where are the fathers that are training their children in Godliness? Too often we find them fiddling around with their own mess rather than taking the responsibility to rise up and become leaders.

I listened to this sermon on father’s day and I believe that this message that was preached to our fathers’ generation is one we need to hear again today.

Two things struck me as I listened to Denny Kenaston’s Mennonite accent. The first was a feeling of conviction when I realized the tremendous responsibility that I face in becoming a man of God. The second was a great sense of encouragement as I see the young men around me rising up to leadership positions. In the sermon, Kenaston predicts that if a few men will only step up and become leaders in the home, then the next generation will be full of Godly men. I am encouraged because I look around me at the Godly fathers that I know, and I see their sons rising up and taking responsibility for the Church.

However, I also see the devastating effects of paternal apathy. I see broken homes, rebellion and laziness. How are the young men of today supposed to become leaders in the Church if their fathers never reached beyond their petty struggles.

One of Kenaston’s main observations is that when he preaches a message directed at women and how they should live, he is always greeted by an overwhelming response of repentance. However, when he preaches a similar message to a crowd of men about their responsibilities to the family he is dismayed to find a totally apathetic response. Perhaps our generation has been cowed by feminism and our men are afraid to do anything at all.

If we want to see the kingdom of God established we must respond to this call and rise to the challenge. God is looking for men in this earth to use. He is looking for those that will become broken, empty themselves of all pride, and become ministers of the Gospel.