We are in the early days of recognizing the real plight and cultural pressures that come with being a man. It has some similarities to the initial awakening of the plight of women in the 1960s and 1970s. Conversations then and now are being had because all is not well.
- In the US, 25% of men report having no close friends.
- Two-thirds of young men say “no one really knows me well.”
- Lonely men are more than twice as likely to develop depression.
- Socially isolated men have a 50% higher mortality rate than socially integrated peers.
In light of this, I’m a raging fan of anyone who does anything to help men. Events like men’s conferences are great. In the faith arena, conferences are what we know and do the best, and there is always trepidation and confusion around anything that is different. Therefore, an experience like MAN CAMP gets some head tilts. That’s because it is not an outdoor version of a conference.
When you work out, you need to practice muscle confusion. Physiologists say that the more your body gets used to a certain routine, the less productive that routine will be. Our bodies don’t want something new. That’s why even if you normally work out your legs, when you introduce a different leg exercise, you feel sore. Our muscles are confused by the new routine, and we even get fresh micro-tears. Ironically, it is the healing process from those tears that produces the eventual desired results of more muscle mass and strength.
For a bunch of men, a conference can be great. It’s a new workout routine that will produce new strengths. For another group of men, conferences won’t do it. That exercise is too predictable. Many who like conferences bristle against MAN CAMP even more than an obese person bristles against a New Year’s resolution with physically uncomfortable demands. For many in the faith community, MAN CAMP offers things that just aren’t wanted or are even repulsive. This isn’t by accident. It is intentional.
MAN CAMP not being the same as an outdoor conference came even more into focus for me at a recent men’s conference where I was honored to speak. Within my message, I told a favorite joke of mine, which I tell every camp. Some would call it an “off-color” joke. (God made all the colors. None are off.) The joke is funny and teases out the sexual tension in many marriages, and is even received well by the ladies at Couples Camp. The only place so far where this joke hasn’t gone over well was at this men’s conference. Looking back, it shouldn’t have been shared in that context, with guys who had different expectations.
We hear the camp objections all the time. Here are the most common ones and my responses:
“I don’t want to walk my gear in.”… Right.
“I don’t camp.”… We’ll help and you’ll be fine.
“If I wanted to work the land, I would do it in my own yard.”… I hear yah.
“I don’t have time for frivolous play.”… Bummer.
”Having a guy in a prayer tent put his hands on me to pray after hearing from God isn’t my thing.”… I know.
“Sharing your feelings around a campfire is weird.“… Yep.
“120 kegs of beer is ridiculous.”… and glorious.
“Can’t I just get a recording of the teachings to watch later?”… Nope.
MAN CAMP mashes things together that normally don’t go together. What results is muscle confusion that can bring about amazing results.
This is for a different kind of guy. The kind of guy who lives with some gray. The kind of guy who isn’t allergic to sweat and dirt. The kind of guy who isn’t bothered by vices. The kind of guy who is ok if people think differently. The kind of guy who wants more. The kind of guy who knows that his best days are spent in a team with other brothers, pushing forward toward worthy goals. The kind of guy who will go to scary places for spiritual growth. The kind of guy who wants God if He is real.
The vast majority of men need something different—a distraction from our regular rhythms. At camp last year, we hosted guys from 46 states and 7 countries. After 48 hours, thousands left sore from belly laughter, sore from physical exertion, and sore from an expanded heart. How about leaning into muscle confusion this year, and coming back a stronger man.
MAN CAMP is back this October, featuring special guests Bear Grylls and Dante Bowe of Maverick City Music. To learn more and sign up, click here.
