 One of the interesting things about the ministry of Legacy is the impact that we have been able to have among adolescent males. This is partly as a result of our leadership profile, but may also be due to a stream of spirituality that we have developed in order to nurture a specifically masculine spirituality. In doing so we recognise that adolescent lads have a growing awareness of their physical strength, and we have tried to provide forms of expression that tap into this developing physicality whilst at the same time utilising the aspects of their psychological makeup that make them male. It is in response to the following observations about many young males and their spirituality that we have tried to develop ways in which these things can be explored and expressed in their prayer and worship. There is of course a place for more traditional forms of expression in prayer and worship, such as quiet meditation, singing and so on. However we have sought to explore ways of taking insights from psychology, anthropology and sociology and applying them to spirituality, and we have seen much spiritual growth in these young guys as a result.  This is perhaps the most disturbing and yet powerful aspect of male spirituality. Our immediate reaction may be that such aggression is a part of the “sinful nature” to be confronted and subdued. However, there is no escaping the fact that it is clearly a part of what it means to be male. Even the most tamed of beach donkeys longs to be a warhorse! And the analogy of the warhorse is a good one. Rather than tame the aggression found in males we are much wiser to channel it lest it emerge in uncontrolled and dangerous ways, which it inevitably will. What the warrior of old required of his steed was not a beast devoid of all spirit and aggression, but rather a partner who would be ready to have his energy and aggression released in the heat of battle when the moment came for the charge. In opening up opportunities for spiritual warfare for young men in appropriate settings we have done exactly this, channelling this spiritual aggression into the battle for the very lives of their friends, family, community and nation. Men are Visual Spatial The use of imagery and engagement with all of the senses is vital in connecting with young men. Our male prayer gatherings always start with physical cleansing rituals where we prepare ourselves for a time of extended prayer, usually with physical washing of eyes (which would see God), ears (which would hear God), mouths (which would speak with clean lips), hands (which would be clean) and feet (which stand on Holy ground). Incense, war paint and armour are all tangible ways of accessing a deep place of prayer particularly focussed on intercessory spiritual warfare. The boys will often decorate one another with war paint using images they feel describe the role they will take on in the prayer time to come, and this physical connection also promotes a sense of camaraderie which is essential for mutual prayer support in the two hours that follow. Men are Physical Mechanical Men are motivated by doing, and observations about preferred learning styles indicate that kinetic activity is particularly appropriate for many young men. It should come as no surprise then, that in our experience the physical aspect of a prayer time is essential for young men. Whilst there is no “normal” way in which these prayer times are conducted physical contact, standing together, and mutual support are usually central to the prayer itself. Taking it in turns to pray in the centre of a circle of their brothers, these youngsters will often require physical support as they pray, especially towards the end of an extended prayer time, which will be accompanied by appropriate music in a suitably lit room sometimes filled with incense. The physical support is a tangible expression of the spiritual support being offered to one another. In other prayer meetings we have used barefoot pilgrimage with burning torches in the woods, praying against the darkness engulfing our town. We use drums in rhythmic worship to express our sense of the movement of the Spirit (this is something also enjoyed by the female members of the community). We have plans to explore other physical expressions of prayer, including climbing Snowdon whilst carrying stones with names of friends and family, in order to leave them at the top in the presence of God. In practice this means that to become a Christian we need to follow some very simple steps in the form of a prayer. In this prayer we can simply talk to Him just as we would to a friend:  In providing means for such expression we have seen deep emotions (anger, fear, compassion) unlocked, and the all male environment has helped to dissipate the pressure to keep emotions locked away - something which is dictated to boys by their prevailing culture. Allowing young men to explore and release these emotions in a less controlled way than would normally be acceptable in a church service means that such emotions can be understood and explored rather than suppressed in a way that may be damaging. Shouting and growling are therefore common forms of expression in this type of prayer. Men are Earthy Of course with this emotion and aggression, extended prayer sessions can often become very sweaty, smelly, tearful and generally messy! This somewhat earthy experience is also important to the bringing together of a small group of lads in intense prayer. Perhaps it is the fact that no-one is telling them to behave well, keep clean or have a wash?! Whatever the reason there is clearly a bonding aspect to this experience. Maybe it is to do with the satisfaction of having engaged in something physical and real that has raised a sweat in them rather than a quiet time in the more normal setting of a church prayer meeting. It is of course vital that we ensure that young people are always kept safe (even if they don't know it), and environments where they are making themselves emotionally vulnerable such as this require adequate adult supervision. We always have at least one person whose job is to keep watch over proceedings and we generally only hold such prayer events with a smaller number of lads. This has the added advantage of making an intimate atmosphere, but it also means that everyone can be safely supervised. Finally, it is vital that these events are handled with the utmost seriousness. There is something powerful about the risk a group of males take when making themselves emotionally vulnerable in this way, but this vulnerability also requires trust. We have found that introducing new people in small numbers to a group already used to praying like this has been the best way to encourage a relaxed and productive time together. Most of the events have taken place in the hours of darkness as this seems to create a willingness to relax. These are, of course, just a few ideas and each group of young men will want to explore these things for themselves. In a church which is generally feminine in character and which finds it increasingly difficult to connect with men it seems well worth exploring ways of allowing men to better express their spirituality.  |