COMMENTARY – Reading the Opinion Page Essay in Sunday’s Wisconsin State Journal on the epidemic of male loneliness, I was reminded of my own journey through that dark valley several decades ago.
I was fortunate that my church at the time, Madison Gospel Tabernacle, initiated male accountability groups. Pastor Roger Olsen called them Men Of Vision and Encouragement (MOVE) groups. We joked about another acronym, Men Opposed to Virtually Everything. We joked about a lot of things, we were guys after all. But our discussions were also very serious.
I ended up in a fellowship that met at one guy’s house every Saturday morning. After a brief greeting we split into two smaller groups of about a half dozen each, so everyone had time to share where they were at and the challenges they faced.
Over time a few guys moved away or left for other reasons and we relocated to other homes. But that group contined to meet for 25 years, a quarter of a century. We shared our troubles and triumphs through marriage break-ups and a host of other family trials. Although we no longer meet regularly, we’re still connected through social media. It’s hard to image how much more challenging life would have been without that fellowship.
So, I was glad to see this article was written by two Madison area residents. Near the end of this article, as options were discussed for men to address their challenges, the recommendation: “Men can consider engaging in low-stakes discussion groups in their communities, with online groups and in churches.”
Men should consider it. Madison churches, are you offering men this opportunity?
– Gordon Govier, editor, MadisonChristians.com