We need missional men today. What do I mean by that? We need men who understand their God given calling and fight to push back the gates hell as they take dominion over what has been placed in their care. Missional men are men who know whose they are and who they are. They do not succumb to the weakness of society but instead they rise above as they stand on the full authority of scripture. 

Let’s think about that word dominion for a minute. What does dominion mean and why does it matter for Christian men? The Hebrew word in radah is translated as “control, authority, proficiency, dominion.” This is the word that is used in Genesis 1:28 when he spoke to Adam and said “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and SUBDUE it.” From the very beginning God charged Adam with the authority to rule over God’s creation. Granted this task was spoken to both Adam and Eve but Adam was to be the chief leader in making sure right dominion took place. 

Just this morning I was reading Psalm 8 in which the Psalmist is declaring the majesty of the Lord. In light of who God is he declares, “what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man, that you look after him?”(v.4) His conclusion is found in verse 6, "You made him ruler over the works of your hands, you put everything under his feet.” This term translated “ruler” by the CSB is a similar Hebrew word to the same word used in Genesis 1. It carries the same meaning. 

We clearly see that the Old Testament has the understanding that God has given man the right to rule over God’s creation. In doing so, man does not replace God but finds his true purpose in carefully caring for what God has orchestrated. Men have been created with the chief responsibility to live with dominion over what God has placed in their care. This is why men instinctively have a desire to conquer, achieve, and overcome obstacles. God has given us an innate desire and ability to rule over domains. We see this tainted by sin so much in the culture today. The desire is in every man but is only as it should be in the redeemed man. Christian men, then, must rise to the challenge and be the chief “rulers” who lead well and fight from the victory they have in Jesus Christ. This is how we live as missional men. 

What practical application does this have for men in the church today? Very simply; show up, strengthen up, stand up, and speak up. 

Show up. Being a missional man means you show up. It means a missional man can be counted on first and foremost in his family. Those who know him best should trust him the most. A missional man’s wife can count on him to be her rock, leader, and defender. His kids can count on him to be their greatest coach and most faithful confidant. 

Strengthen up. Male weakness and passivity are the backbones of a crumbling society. Missional men are strong where it matters most. They are not lazy but instead they live with discipline and resolve. Missional men make it a priority to be strong spiritually, physically, and emotional. They know that dominion is a result of strength, never weakness. 

Stand up. Because missional men are strong, they have no problem standing up when everyone else is sitting down. They do not cave to the culture or to un-Godly demands that come their way. They hear the words of Jesus to Peter in that upon his confession of the Messiah the gates of hell could not prevail against such. They are hell fighters standing firm on the Word of God. 

Speak up. As missional men stand up, they speak up for what is right every single time. They do not cower to the loudest voice in the room. They know their allegiance is to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and they had much rather honor him than be approved by a mortal man. Missional men are difference makers as they speak the truth in a word of lies even when it means they stand alone in doing so. 

Granted, missional men are much needed in the world today. Will you commit to being such?