All About Masculinity from One of the Skit Guys!
Tommy Woodard is a teaching pastor at new church in Oklahoma City, and is one half of the Christian comedy duo “The Skit Guys”. (He’s the one with hair.) Tommy has co-authored over a dozen publications with Eddie James, including their latest book about friendship, “Smells Like Bacon.” The Skit Guys ministry has produced hundreds of short films for churches and had one feature length movie “Family Camp” in theaters. Tommy has been married to his wife Angie since 1991. They have two grown children, one dog, and one cat.
How important is Fatherhood?
The Bible uses fatherhood to help us understand God. We are to see Him as our “Heavenly Father.” In my opinion, that above everything else is the most important aspect of fatherhood. Time and time again, you will hear the testimonies of people who either struggle to trust God or have a wonderful view of God based on their earthly fathers. I do not think we can overestimate the importance of fatherhood and we had better not underestimate the importance of motherhood in the process.
How has the importance of fatherhood changed in the last few years?
While this may not be received well in a men’s blog, I do not believe the importance of fatherhood has changed in the last few years. I believe men have felt more marginalized by society. That can be seen as a blow to men or a search for balance in a male dominated society. Either way, I don’t see the importance of fatherhood changing because it has always been and always will be important.
What are the biggest struggles men face today?
We live in a different world than the one we grew up in. That being said, as a follower of Christ, I think the biggest struggles have not changed that much: Lust, Greed, Business, Surrender.
What do you see as men’s biggest needs?
Let me be a pastor for a moment and illustrate this answer: Deeper Faith, Dependable Friends, & Dedication to Family. In all honesty, we all have different needs. However, I do believe these three things are real needs that most men could relate to.
I heard someone the other day say “On a scale of one to ten, I am a two when it comes to Christianity.” Many men are very religious, yet they lack a deeper faith. Faith should not support my politics, my politics should reflect my faith. Faith should not follow my plans in life. My plans in life should follow my faith. I do not get to set aside my faith to accomplish my goals or to get my wants. My faith should guide setting my goals and guiding my wants. A deeper faith to me is one that is so deep in me that it is seen in everything I do, even when I fail.
Most men lack truly dependable friends. The Bible says that “iron sharpens iron”. Those are the types of friends we need. Friends who will support you, but also call you out on the carpet. Friends who will go through the tunnel of chaos with you. The type of friends like Peter, James, and John who might be considered “garden friends”.
It is easy to dedicate ourselves to paying the bills and building our portfolio. These things are important until they take precedence over our families. If I love someone enough to commit my life to them and if I help bring children into this world or adopt them, I need to be willing to dedicate the best of me, not what’s left of me. (I know…it rhymes…like I said, I am a pastor.)
How can men best help our culture today?
Learn to love others. Jesus said it is the second most important thing we can do. It is not a “manly thing” to do, but it is a Godly thing to do. If the importance of fatherhood is to paint a picture of our Heavenly Father, then loving others would be the best help for our culture. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, even when we don’t agree with them. Loving our enemies, even when they are wrong. Loving our neighbors, even when they drive us crazy. I would challenge anyone to give me a Biblically sound answer that is more important than this.
How can men help our churches today?
Learn to lead like Jesus. Far too many times, we tend to lead like the latest leadership book or the most popular business leader of the day. We look to politicians and popular pastors and look past the greatest leader who ever walked the planet. He valued personal sacrifice and serving above everything. Our churches have seen men do the business of the church, now they need to see them serving and sacrificing for her.
How would you describe Godly masculinity?
The definition of masculinity changes with the generations. I am not as masculine as my father if you ask him and I am sure that if you asked my grandfather, he would say my dad wasn’t as masculine as he was. This goes on and on and on. The next generation is always “too soft” and not masculine enough. The fear of looking for “Godly masculinity” is that we decide what we think masculinity is and then we search the Bible to find a support passage for what we believe. It is eisegesis instead of exegesis. Having said that, if I was pressed to answer this question, I would simply say that the best guide for “Godly masculinity” would be Micah 6:8: “He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
What is a good book you would recommend to encourage men?
“Smells Like Bacon: The Skit Guys Guide to Lifelong Friendships” - Why would I suggest someone else’s book? In all honesty, it is a funny book with great bacon bits of advice on lifelong friendship. It would help men develop those deeper friendships that I think they need. It is also a great help for marriages.
The Man Up podcast hopes to encourage men to connect with God and with other men. Our podcast will cover a range of topics that are relevant to our day and to the heart of man. It is the hosts’ desire to help men find and live out their divine purpose in life. We believe that all men and women are created in His Image and that our ultimate example is the Messiah. We hope you are encouraged to live a godly masculine life.
