Spiritual Challenges of Armenian Professional Men
by Dér Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D. © 2002
Men have spiritual challenges and needs regardless of their education, profession, and self confidence. The Armenian professional men who took part in a discussion have a very common distinct challenge: The need to know that they are walking with God, and growing spiritually in that relationship.
The men who took part in this discussion were from the following fields: Business, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, and Medical. Some of these men were born in the US but the majority were not. All of these men are members of the Armenian Apostolic Church and attend Church and take part in the services or participate in the administrative functions on a regular basis.
For these men, the strongest spiritual
challenge that they have is their need and desire to strengthen their
relationship with God. Why? Strengthening one's relationship with God can have
the following consequences:
1. Purpose and direction in life which leads to a sense of
security.
2. A foundation upon which other goals in life, both
tangible and intangible, can be built.
3. If the relationship with God is not established, then all
other relationships become superficial.
4. Helps move beyond the 'traditional role' of the average
male in the Church of either passing the plate in the Church or flipping
hamburgers at picnics and bazaars.
5. It is the stable relationship with God that eventually
leads to trusting own self, trusting others, and being a trusting person for
others.
How did the participants respond to this sharing experience? One professional observed: "It is amazing that we are Armenians from all over the world, and yet our spiritual needs have the identical basis - the relationship with God." Another added: "It is a tremendous feeling to have this kind of a spiritual sharing about men's issues with fellow Armenian men. This is a dream come true!"
(More will be shared in the future
and in the Quarterly Periodical
Hope for the Family)