When the Gym Is a Man's Church

A gym is not a church. Yet “church” has been redefined by many men as the fishing hole, the hiking trail, the golf course, or a hammock with a good book. Though literally, recreation is the theologically solid concept of re-creation, many churches treat care for one’s physical self separately from the care of one’s spiritual self. In his own ambitions to grow his church with spiritual, yet active folks, Rev. Paul Koch found that alternative outlets for community are readily available, accessible, and, in fact satisfied his personal needs for relationship and personal growth often better than church did (and he was the pastor!). He sought answers from six men who regularly exercised at a YMCA. They were interviewed, their interactions documented and understandings of mind/body/spirit connections were investigated. His findings incorporate Biblical, theological, feminist and contemporary perspectives. It was determined that quests for fellowship, family, identity and goal setting are motivating factors in men’s spiritual growth. The gym at the Y is examined as a rich site for pastoral theological explorations of men's longings for and practices of spirituality.