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The Way Forward: A Road Map of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century
A lot of Christian men - and small groups of men - feel stuck. They have a sincere desire to grow but feel confused about what to do next. The Way Forward is a road-map for men who want to cut through the noise and distraction of the 21st century and take definite steps toward spiritual maturity. This book follows the simple format of problem, solution, and plan. Men who read it will walk away with both a clear diagnosis for why they feel stuck and a practical action plan for moving forward.
- GenresChristian
168 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2020
9 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Joe Barnard
4 books3 followersI am the founder and director of Cross Training Ministries, a men's discipleship program. For eight years I pastored a church in the Scottish Highlands before returning to my hometown of Covington, Louisiana (Walker Percy's former residence, for fiction lovers). My first book has just been released with Christian Focus Publications: The Way Forward: a Road-map of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century. I am married to Anna, and we have four children. For more information about Cross Training Ministries, visit www.xtrainingministries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2020
The Way Forward: A Road Map of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century by Joe Barnard addresses the unique spiritual needs of men in a way that is thoughtful, engaging, and biblical. Much like a skilled surgeon, Barnard diagnoses the problem and offers a deeply encouraging solution.
The author holds that an accurate diagnosis is an essential ingredient in moving men forward in a way that honors the Lord. With that in mind, he presents seven factors that contribute to the weak spiritual growth that is epidemic among Christian men. In the end, Bernard points out that men are failing to achieve their potential in Christ for a variety of factors, which prove to be complicated.
The prescription is a process of spiritual development that includes five characteristics - captivation, clarity, competences camaraderie, and self-control. The sum total of these qualities will help Christian men move in a Godward direction.
The first characteristic, captivation is worth focussing on. The author adds,
These statements provide the fuel for the remainder of the book as the author is set on moving men toward spiritual maturity. Additionally, Bernard is quick to recommend other key books that should be required reading for men on a trajectory of spiritual growth.
The Way Forward is a valuable book, one that should be in the arsenal of every man committed to growing in the Lord.
The author holds that an accurate diagnosis is an essential ingredient in moving men forward in a way that honors the Lord. With that in mind, he presents seven factors that contribute to the weak spiritual growth that is epidemic among Christian men. In the end, Bernard points out that men are failing to achieve their potential in Christ for a variety of factors, which prove to be complicated.
The prescription is a process of spiritual development that includes five characteristics - captivation, clarity, competences camaraderie, and self-control. The sum total of these qualities will help Christian men move in a Godward direction.
The first characteristic, captivation is worth focussing on. The author adds,
“I am convinced that no man will make serious progress toward spiritual maturity until he is captivated by the glory of Christ … Being captivated by the glory of Christ is the secret to mounting a coup against a false god … no amount of willpower can shove an idol out of the heart.”
These statements provide the fuel for the remainder of the book as the author is set on moving men toward spiritual maturity. Additionally, Bernard is quick to recommend other key books that should be required reading for men on a trajectory of spiritual growth.
The Way Forward is a valuable book, one that should be in the arsenal of every man committed to growing in the Lord.
June 25, 2020
One of the best books I've read about men's discipleship (and I've read far too many). Joe lays out a simple plan for helping Christian men to grow in faith and maturity. "Men are struggling, in part, because they live in a hostile environment that increases the difficulty of performing basic spiritual activities." p.38, "The accusation that men are lazy or apathetic is unjust. A lot of Christian men are highly productive, self-motivated workers." p.57, "If men do not have a clear and true perspective of the Christian life, they will not understand what they are attempting, and thus the attempt itself will be naive and ill-measured." p.75, "Hard work cannot be avoided. Spiritual fruit, like natural fruit, requires the sweat of the brow." p. 81, "A lot of contemporary Christians do not believe that growth requires effort." p.84, "For hundreds of years, then, our emphasis has been on how well the teachers teach rather than on how well the students learn." p.96, Learning, after all, requires more than teaching." p.97
April 10, 2025
I love Joe Barnard. He writes with heaviness of urgency for the current state of many Christian mens’ lives, yet also with an optimistic and hopeful tone for the future.
“The Way Forward” points men in a clear direction for the future of life, highlighting the need for a clear goal, a second look at our current lifestyle, and making the best use of the time that is ahead.
I love all of JB’s practical pointers, but I particularly enjoy his encouragement to make friends with dead men. It’s clear that the lives of George Mueller, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many of the Puritans have had a profound effect on Barnard’s own course of life.
I think I’d encourage every Christian man, particularly in the Western world, to take up and read Joe Barnard. “The Way Forward” is an easy read and a great place to start for men who feel stuck, who want more help in their pursuit of holiness, and for those men who maybe haven’t realised how complacent they have become.
“The Way Forward” points men in a clear direction for the future of life, highlighting the need for a clear goal, a second look at our current lifestyle, and making the best use of the time that is ahead.
I love all of JB’s practical pointers, but I particularly enjoy his encouragement to make friends with dead men. It’s clear that the lives of George Mueller, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many of the Puritans have had a profound effect on Barnard’s own course of life.
I think I’d encourage every Christian man, particularly in the Western world, to take up and read Joe Barnard. “The Way Forward” is an easy read and a great place to start for men who feel stuck, who want more help in their pursuit of holiness, and for those men who maybe haven’t realised how complacent they have become.
June 14, 2020
Really loved it.
Mr. Barnard has a humble goal, mobilize the Christian men who've stalled as the things and worries of the world have leeched their time and attention.
He takes them by the elbow and explains to them its time to get moving. Explains why they've stopped. And points then in the direction they need to start walking.
Practical, simple, and timely.
Mr. Barnard has a humble goal, mobilize the Christian men who've stalled as the things and worries of the world have leeched their time and attention.
He takes them by the elbow and explains to them its time to get moving. Explains why they've stopped. And points then in the direction they need to start walking.
Practical, simple, and timely.
September 28, 2020
A book to encourage Christian discipleship among men. Good diagnostics. Good ways forward suggested. Two slight criticisms. (1) It says the same things over and over again in different ways. Which got a bit tedious towards the seciodn third of the book. (2) His solutions do amount to reading a lot of Puritan books. There was no plan B for men who are not readers!
July 1, 2022
I really was challenged in this book. There author is very practical and direct, which men need. This would be a great resource for not only men, but also male teenagers. This book does not just focus on what we need to do, but challenges each man to look within and see God and the perspective that has molded them from seeing and Following Jesus. A must read.
March 2, 2020
Decent book. Heavy on pietism. Would have been better if the concepts were tied into the command in Matthew 28.20.
June 15, 2020
A Great Life Resource
Joe does an amazing job of challenging inspiring and equipping. If you have felt stagnant in your walk with Jesus this book is for you!
Joe does an amazing job of challenging inspiring and equipping. If you have felt stagnant in your walk with Jesus this book is for you!
July 17, 2022
Helpful and inspiring. A good grace-filled kick in the pants for men.
April 12, 2023
A must read for men interested in real spiritual growth. No shortcuts or formulas here, but a roadmap of divine grace fueling disciplined exertion and endurance. Highly recommended!!!
August 27, 2020
The Way Forward
The Problem:
Christian men are stuck and are not growing into spiritual maturity. Their growth is being stunted. If a remedy is to be found then the problem must first be diagnosed. This excellent little book by Joe Barnard seeks to do just that. It helps to get to the bottom of why it is men seem stuck. The problem is complicated and multifaceted. Essentially, men are exhausted, frustrated, distracted. But more than this there are issues of the sin sick heart to contend with. Men are also dis-attracted, nearsighted, unconvinced and idolatrous.
The Solution:
The Solution is presented in five Cs. Firstly Men need to be utterly captivated, they need the expulsive power of a greater affection. Secondly Men need clarity of vision. Ignorance is deadly, thus men need greater clarity regarding the final destination of life. Thirdly men need camaraderie, a Band of Brothers in which to travel this journey with. Fourthly men need competence, they need to be shown what to do not simply told. Fifthly men need self control, self control is not self discipline or self reliance, rather it is a gift of the Spirit that enables a man to love God this ought to be a gift that every christian man cultivates to the Glory of God.
The Plan:
In the Third section of the book., Barnard then suggests a five fold plan or itinerary that men can employ to implement the solutions and remedy the problem. This is perhaps the most practical part of the book. Among these are suggestions on how to catch a better vision of Glory. Men should get a clear perspective on life and understand that life is a battlefield not a playground. Banding together with like minded men on this journey is an essential step if one is to find the way forward. Men should focus in developing competence in the essentials, learning from what has been passed down through the ages. Men should work hard to strengthen the muscles that enable self control, cultivating the imagination, intellect, affections memory and will.
I thought this book was excellent, well written, concise, focussed, full of practical wisdom. Those looking for a shot in the arm to wake them out of Spiritual slumber would do well to read this book. I will be reading it again and looking to implement its practical steps.
The Problem:
Christian men are stuck and are not growing into spiritual maturity. Their growth is being stunted. If a remedy is to be found then the problem must first be diagnosed. This excellent little book by Joe Barnard seeks to do just that. It helps to get to the bottom of why it is men seem stuck. The problem is complicated and multifaceted. Essentially, men are exhausted, frustrated, distracted. But more than this there are issues of the sin sick heart to contend with. Men are also dis-attracted, nearsighted, unconvinced and idolatrous.
The Solution:
The Solution is presented in five Cs. Firstly Men need to be utterly captivated, they need the expulsive power of a greater affection. Secondly Men need clarity of vision. Ignorance is deadly, thus men need greater clarity regarding the final destination of life. Thirdly men need camaraderie, a Band of Brothers in which to travel this journey with. Fourthly men need competence, they need to be shown what to do not simply told. Fifthly men need self control, self control is not self discipline or self reliance, rather it is a gift of the Spirit that enables a man to love God this ought to be a gift that every christian man cultivates to the Glory of God.
The Plan:
In the Third section of the book., Barnard then suggests a five fold plan or itinerary that men can employ to implement the solutions and remedy the problem. This is perhaps the most practical part of the book. Among these are suggestions on how to catch a better vision of Glory. Men should get a clear perspective on life and understand that life is a battlefield not a playground. Banding together with like minded men on this journey is an essential step if one is to find the way forward. Men should focus in developing competence in the essentials, learning from what has been passed down through the ages. Men should work hard to strengthen the muscles that enable self control, cultivating the imagination, intellect, affections memory and will.
I thought this book was excellent, well written, concise, focussed, full of practical wisdom. Those looking for a shot in the arm to wake them out of Spiritual slumber would do well to read this book. I will be reading it again and looking to implement its practical steps.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews