Don't just stand there

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together…"

Psalm 34:3–5

Sound Familiar?

Imagine it’s Sunday morning. The music starts. People stand. Voices rise. But look across the aisle—there’s that guy. Stoic. Hands at his sides. Mouth closed. Disengaged.

Fast-forward to the sermon. Scripture is being read. You glance back at him. Same expression. Same posture. No Bible—unless you count the phone he checks occasionally. Then you notice his wife—Bible open, pen in hand, leaning in.

Do you recognize that man?

Is it you?

Church is Not...

It saddens me how often this scene plays out: Christian men completely unplugged in worship and unengaged with the Word. Church is not a concert. It’s not a show to watch. Worship is not a passive experience; it's a participatory one. We are not the audience; God is. And disengaged men send a message: to God, to your family, and to your church.

Engaged Worship

The church needs men, fathers, and husbands who lead by example, and that begins with engaged worship. So here’s the challenge: Don’t be that man. Beginning this Sunday, step up:

• Smile – Your posture says something long before your words do.

• Sing – Open your mouth and heart in praise. Make a joyful noise (yes, even if it’s off-key).

• Pray – Ask the Spirit to move—through the message, the messenger, and the room.

• Listen – Bring your Bible. Take notes. Lean into what God is saying. Talk about it afterward.

• Obey – Where God convicts, act on it. Repent. Commit. Change.

Want to Lead Courageously?

Then worship like a man who belongs to God fully, joyfully, and actively engaged. As MD5 men, let’s be tone-setters in worship, leaning in and leading out through song and through the Word. Your family needs it, and God deserves it.

This Sunday, be that man.

John Meriweather

MD5 Facilitator