the Passion of Men on Fire

What does it mean to be a man? It takes more than facial hair and a dose of testosterone. Especially if the goal is to be more than a male, but to grow into the man that you were created to be. A man who lives life to the fullest, and leaves behind a legacy. A man who has a passion for life, and is not afraid to chase after it.

Stephen Mansfield talks about fires of several types in his book Men on Fire: Restoring the Forces that Forge Noble Manhood (Baker Books, 2020). Small fires and larger fires, but they all matter little compared to the fire that he’s really talking about: PASSION.

He describes ‘the seven fires’ that define the passion for manhood that he hopes his readers will embrace: the fires of Heritage, Battle, Destiny, Friendship, Love, Legacy, and God in 7 easy to read chapters. Each chapter is full of examples from his own life and experience, and that of friends or historical figures. Each chapter concludes with a ‘battle plan’, and the starting point for the battle plan is to gather a ‘band of brothers’. Nothing new to those familiar with men’s ministry. But included in these plans are action items and questions that the brothers might want to be asking each other.

Although I hate to admit it, there are several areas where I could stand a lot of improvement. I want to be a better man, husband and father, and Mansfield may have just given me some ideas on how to get started.

If you already have a band of brothers, there may be some great tools in this book for you to use.  

This would work well in a men’s ministry setting, not with the goal of forcing the attendees to become a band of brothers, but encouraging individuals to develop that band (and there are some helpful suggestions included). Or you can read it like I did, on my own, and be nudged into the next level.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review based on my perceptions and opinions of the book.

4/5