One of the most exciting times for a church can also be some of the most challenging. Consider the joy when a guy gets converted who did not grow up under the instruction of the Scriptures. Everyone is excited. And then the dust settles and we all realize that there is a lot of work to do to get this guy on track to be a godly man. It’s good work but it is still hard.

This is confounded by the regrettable fact that many churches do not emphasize male  leadership and the necessity of training men to be who they are supposed to be. If a new convert (and I was one) lands in a place like this he will spin his tires on the path of male leadership rather than advance.

As a pastor I have met quite a few of both of these types of guys. I rejoice when they come and express a desire to grow. I know it is going to involve some pastoral sweat but the upside is glorious.

In this type of ministry I have often lamented the lack of books that help guys to think and act like a biblical man. In their absence young guys like me roll up our sleeves and get to work, doubtlessly missing more than a few patches of unmowed grass.

This is why I am very excited about this new book: What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him by Byron Yawn is pure gold. Yawn aims to fill that gap. He comes alongside the guy who is has not received the training, the instruction in “Being a Man 101.”

The chapters are concise, fast-paced, and theologically rich. Byron teaches you Bible and theology as he teaches biblical masculinity. He is also a terrific writer with a particularly arresting southern style. For example when talking about dealing with an argument with your wife he refers our obsessive stewing over the issue like a kid playing with loose tooth as the icicles on the bannister grow larger. Good pictures.

The tone is necessarily strong but not lacking in compassion. Byron talks directly to men, dads, young men and boys. He is firm but loving. Some may have their feelings hurt (which itself becomes a lesson in the book). Along these lines it is helpful to note that the author is extremely transparent about his own life as a young man, an adult, a husband, and a dad. Even the toughest of guys will be moved emotionally when he writes about his adoptive father’s death and all that he meant to him. All of this to say it is a great balance; the same hand that (lovingly) punches you in the gut comes around the shoulder for encouragement.

On a personal note, Byron is a friend. I know that what he writes is what he lives and what his greatest burdens are. If someone should write a book like this it should be Byron. This is a book that I can see myself giving away for years to come. It is also a book that I will repeatedly come back to myself for instruction and reminders. It is early in the year but I can all but guarantee that What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him will be in my top 5 books for 2012. It is that helpful and good.

The book is released next Wednesday (2/1/2012). You can pre-order it on Amazon today.

See the video below for more info from Byron: