I met recently by phone with John Degner, national coordinator of Every Man a Warrior, and one of his questions was, “Why do the men in some groups experience life-changing transformation while men in other groups do not?”

One of my friends lists several possible reasons:

• Men don’t mind a little change around the margins, but deep-down they don’t want transformation. That’s what Matthew Kelly wrote, and I reported, about a year ago.
• Most of us are held back by one or more of fear, pride, and laziness. (That will preach!)
• They may not even know what transformation looks like.

Those are good reasons. In addition, I think it goes to the groups’ leadership. After all, as I say whenever I’m touting particular discipleship materials:

Materials don’t make disciples; people make disciples!

If I walk into a men’s group of any kind, I can usually tell within a few minutes, if not a few seconds, whether the group has an eye for transformation or it’s merely information exchange (or information argument). And that’s a function of the leader. Even the best materials, if used in a group led by an information guy rather than a transformation guy, will rarely result in any transformation. It’s an old problem: the Apostle Paul wrote about it in the early days of the church:

Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. (2 Timothy 2.14 – 16, NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (James 1.22, NLT)