Pastor Matt Chandler opened his recent sermon at The Village Church with a direct statement: “Men are in crisis.” He pointed to cultural confusion around masculinity, citing the American Psychological Association’s 2018 guidelines that labeled “traditional masculine ideology” as harmful.
According to Chandler, many men now feel “disoriented, discouraged, and numb.” He noted that where men flourish, families and societies also flourish, but where men fail, chaos follows—especially for women and children.
More Than Biology
Preaching from Genesis 2:7–15, Chandler reminded his congregation that manhood is not defined by chromosomes or physical traits alone. Instead, he argued that biblical masculinity is rooted in God’s design:
“You can have an XY chromosome and still not be a man. What does it mean to grow into who God made us?”
Chandler explained that God uniquely wired men with physical strength and resilience. But that strength is not for self-indulgence. It is meant for cultivation and care—“to work it and keep it,” as Genesis describes.
RELATED: The Spiritual Attack on Masculinity
Cultivating Character and Relationships
Pastor Matt Chandler called men to cultivate three areas:
-
A sense of self. Understanding personal history, wounds, and tendencies so that Scripture—not shame—defines identity.
-
Brotherhood and marriage. Deep friendships with other men and sacrificial love for wives, both rooted in vulnerability and accountability.
-
Context. Using God-given gifts in workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities as a mission field.
“Vulnerability is not a bunch of guys comparing strengths,” he said. “It’s being honest about what you’re afraid of, where you’re weak, and where you need God’s grace.”
