Our ministry has conducted an annual Spiritual Health of Men Survey for over 12 years.
Initially designed for use at our many conferences to evaluate attendees’ spiritual vitality and engagement, it has since expanded as a post-pandemic digital survey.
Although the survey does not represent all men or all Christian men, it provides a sample of evangelical men who have connected with Impactus in some form, either in person or online.
The engagement with these surveys has been excellent over the years, and as a result, the data helps provide some key ministry insights on the state of men’s spiritual lives.
In 2024, there were 504 total respondents out of the 6270 surveyed, with a completion rate of 8%. Our insights arose from the survey data and the dozens of comments revealing many men’s profound pain, struggles, and longings.
Here are the top three findings from this year’s survey.
1. The status quo rules the day.
Some of the comments included:
“I am a Christian, trying to get better.”
“I am not an exceptional Christian, but I keep busy with my ministry.”
“I feel like everything needs improvement.
“I need to grow in my relationship with the Lord.”
“I need to work on my walk. Need improvement.”
“Trying hard but want to do better.”
There has been little improvement or decrease since our last survey in 2023. We have observed little change, for better or for worse, in spiritual practices, habits, or living out faith. Prayer habits are static, with Bible reading slightly down. Matters of integrity have shown a slight decline along with marriage and family priorities.
Maintaining the status quo means we are not losing, but it also means we are not gaining. The Christian life should always be a life of growing in Christ and improving in our walk. For those leading other men, this is a good reminder that these core areas of faith and practice must remain priorities in our ministries. These areas may also provide us with opportunities to spark new growth and engagement.
2. Male loneliness is very real.
According to a 2021 survey by Statistics Canada, 18% of men aged 15-24 and 15% of men aged 25-34 reported feeling lonely “always” or “often.”
Our survey didn’t specifically ask questions about men and loneliness, but what was interesting on that front arose in the comments.
Beyond the questions we asked, which measured things on a numeric scale, men were invited to write out whatever they liked to give us more information that might be helpful.
There were certainly several comments like the following:
“I am lonely and ignored by my wife.”
“I could use more fellowship.”
“Need a mentor or reliable, mature friend.”
But beyond that, there was far more: men confessing sins, men opening up in detail about marriage difficulties, men discussing their family situation and what needs prayer—at times, paragraphs of information as men laid their souls bare in an anonymous online survey.
Numerous men poured out their hearts in this safe place because they have no other place to do it. Whether through shame, shyness, or circumstance, many men don’t seem to have a close friend, a spouse, or a leader to whom they feel they can open up.
Whether through shame, shyness, or circumstance, many men don’t seem to have a close friend, a spouse, or a leader to whom they feel they can open up.
Men’s ministries need to offer a way for men to emerge from the shadows and waive their anonymity so we can reach out to them and help. Our culture is talking about “the loneliness epidemic,” and obviously, our Christian men are not immune.
3. Evangelism continues to be the area of lowest participation and priority.
Here are some comments that caught our attention:
“We are all part of the family of God, souls for whom Christ died and all in need of a Savior.”
“I share Jesus with my actions and deeds, not necessarily with my words.”
“Men need to be more involved in Global missions.”
Year over year, evangelism, outreach, and mission continue to be consistently low performers whenever we survey men.
It is unclear whether men feel unequipped, uncomfortable, or unconvinced that the priority of mission is relevant to them.
However, from the low response rate and few comments, it is problematic when we consider the priority placed on the Great Commission by Christ and the early Church (Matthew 28:18-20).
Men can be instrumental in pointing other men to Jesus in both word and deed. Those who lead men should consider prioritizing and providing training for outreach and mission. As a result, it may become a catalyst for growth in all other areas.
Ministry to men may never have been more challenging, but the opportunities may never have been greater. Let’s “keep the main things the main thing” in our planning and gatherings.
And when the days are long, the stress levels are high, and the progress is not what we hope for, let’s remember the encouragement of the Apostle Paul:
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
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By the way—
Where can you go as leaders for help in these areas? We’re glad you asked!
- For the status quo in your men’s lives, check out the Impactus Daily Devotional.
- For loneliness, check out our Friendship Workshop.
- For guidance as a leader, consider our Leadership Coaching.
- For creating a ministry of disciple-makers, check out our Men’s Ministry Leadership Training.
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