Every Man Jack: Becoming the Man God Wants You to Be

By Daniel L. Clubb

Being “Jack” is a reference to a well-loved man, invariably trustworthy, the first person you would talk to about anything. To be “Jack” is to be kind, compassionate, and caring. A “Jack” is insightful, honest, and well intended-the kind of man who embraces his manhood, always trying to be the best example of his gender.

There is a discipleship crisis in the American church. Jesus’ model of discipling men is being ignored. Every Man Jack addresses this urgent need.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14-ESV). Every Man Jack unpacks these qualities, equipping you to live your faith in God – as a man.

Every Man Jack will guide you on the path to…

Developing your private, inner and public spiritual life

Loving yourself and those closest to you

Understanding biblical justice, living it out in your daily life

If you want to become a more decisive and positive influence in your world, this book is for you. Join the ranks of Every Man Jack.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973680376

Daniel L. Clubb

DANIEL L. CLUBB has been a pastor, church planter, and university professor for four decades in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. He taught as an adjunct professor at William Jessup University for 16 years. He received his BS in Pastoral Theology from Bethany University and his MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Now retired after 40 years in full-time ministry, he is currently adjunct professor of hermeneutics, bible, and theology at Williamson College in Franklin, Tennessee. Daniel and his wife Valerie live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee. They have three married children and eight grandchildren – seven girls and one boy.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-8038-3 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019919467

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/11/2021

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In an age where men are more confused than ever about what it means to be a man––many either opting for Hollywood distortions while others run from the whole concept of manhood––Daniel reveals God’s intentions for men beautifully and biblically. Here’s deep wisdom about growing your career, friendships, marriage, purpose, spiritual maturity, and more. Other books dive into one or two of these topics, but Daniel covers them all so well. And I never thought I’d say this, but I thought the appendices alone were worth the price of the whole book! Daniel has collected there the best overview I’ve yet found of ways to support justice and compassion ministries. Get this!

– René Schlaepfer, Senior Pastor, Twin Lakes Church

Author of Richer Life and Jesus Journey

"What you have in Every Man Jack, is not just a book that encourages growth and a deeper walk with God. It’s an extremely practical guide to help men accomplish what God’s Word motivates us to do. This is not just another ‘how-to’ book – to be read and then forgotten. It’s an open invitation to grow spiritually, and a challenge to do it with grace and truth as our guide."

– Dan Kimball, Teaching Pastor, Vintage Faith Church

Author of Adventures in Churchland: Finding

Jesus in the Mess of Organized Religion

"With rich encouragement, biblical insight, and applicable spiritual direction, Every Man Jack is a true call to action for ‘every man.’ Clubb calls us to remember the essentials of our faith through his practical guidance, healthy transparency, and sincere devotion to Christ. Dive into this book to discover and embrace all God has for your life!"

– Danny Williamson, Storyteller, Hi-5 Giver,

Author of Where’s The Joy?

"Dallas Willard constantly reminded us, ‘Grace is opposed to earning. Grace is not opposed to effort.’ Daniel Clubb has assembled a gem in his Every Man Jack. If every man, who claims to be a Christ-follower, will make the effort to implement these spiritual practices, they can experience life to the full that Jesus promises in John 10:10. And, as a bonus, this effort guarantees freedom from the stress of earning."

– Dr. Ed Smith, President, Williamson College

"If you are a Christian man who desires an ever-increasing, deepening relationship with Jesus Christ and who wants a manual to follow at a detailed, thorough level, then you will want to read, study, and put into action Daniel L. Clubb’s rich book, Every Man Jack!!!"

– Sherman A. Williams,

Fremont Community Church Founding Pastor

Christian Community Schools Founding President

CityServe – Faith Communities United in Jesus Founding President

"One of my favorite things about reading Every Man Jack is that I have the privilege of knowing the author. Reading Daniel Clubb’s book was like sitting down for a cup of coffee with him and digging in to the deep things of God. He writes as he is in real life: winsome, truthful, challenging and full of grace. This is a necessary book that speaks to men of all generations."

– Matt Valencia, Lead Pastor of ReGeneration Church

"Every Man Jack is a tremendous resource for a man’s personal growth. It’s full of helpful mnemonics and spiritual wisdom for both new and seasoned follows of Jesus Christ. Plus, it’s a clearly outlined resource small groups in our church can return to time after time to remind men how to practice our faith and represent the biblical definition of manhood to the world around us."

– Gus Svendsen, Small Group Leader/Scoutmaster/Father

Foundational encouragement, challenging accountability, the warmth of a friend, sage warrior wisdom … Daniel Clubb bleeds compassion as he draws his sword for the bride of Christ in this Spirit-led, Word saturated, book; or rather, field manual for God’s soldiers. I implore you to walk with a true brother of Jesus as he disciples with Good News, real life application and truth!

– Richard Viall, Financial Advisor

A strong, clear, and biblical approach for men looking to stretch their faith and challenge the status quo of what it means to be a man of God.

– Nat Clubb, Worship Leader/Songwriter

"For nearly forty years Daniel has been my friend, brother, mentor, and ‘true north’ in my journey to glorify Jesus Christ with my whole life. His consistency of character and his thoughtfulness toward holy living have helped me and countless other men over the course of nearly fifty years in ministry. I am happy to see him finally putting much of his wisdom and experience in writing to bring about Every Man Jack. This book is full of essential insight into Godly living for men while also being uniquely relevant in addressing some of the significant issues of our times. It should be read and held closely by any man who desires that Jesus prevail over all aspects of his life. May you be richly blessed as you read it and obediently put to work the thoughts and principles shared within these pages."

– Jeffrey M. Bean, Coach/Counselor/Consultant

– Affinity Coaching and Counseling

To men everywhere, young and old, who have the moral courage to become Jesus’s disciples and act like men, living life His way.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the

faith, act like men, be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love.

—The apostle Paul (1 Cor. 16:13–14

New American Standard Bible)

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Part 1:   Being Watchful and Alert

Your Private Spiritual Life

Chapter 1     Prayer

Chapter 2     Bible Study

Chapter 3     Fellowship

Your Inner Spiritual Maturity

Chapter 4     Character

Chapter 5     Serving the People You Lead

Chapter 6     Sharing Your Faith

Your Public Spiritual Witness

Chapter 7     Being a Disciple on the Job

Part 2:   Be Loving Always

Chapter 8     Becoming a Godly Man

Chapter 9     A Man and His Wife

Chapter 10   Loving Your Children

Chapter 11   Real Men Need Friends

Part 3:   Being Faithful and Strong

Chapter 12   Biblical Justice

Chapter 13   Biblical Justice and Your Life-Decisions

Chapter 14   Biblical Justice and Your Resources

Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here?

Appendices

About The Author

Endnotes

FOREWORD

Daniel Clubb has been a close friend of mine for more than two decades. You will find, as I have, that he has written a classic that is a must read for any generation of men, but more so for this generation. War has been declared on manhood by our media-driven culture, and the result is significant confusion as to what constitutes a real man. I am in my sixth decade of one-on-one mentoring of college and professional athletes at the highest level, those looked up to by our culture as to what a real man is all about. Unfortunately, more than half of these men have come from homes with no consistent male role model. Where do you and I go to find what reflects true manhood?

In this book, Daniel is refreshingly open and honest about lessons he has learned in his own journey. His practical knowledge of The Book provides a road map that is an invaluable tool to direct us along the path to maximum manhood. And that is beautifully reflected in the epitome of character found in a true Man, Jesus of Nazareth!

Even in my seventies, I desire to continue to grow in my ability to help men become who God created them to be, so this book is a valuable resource in my discipleship tool belt. I plan to recommend it to each young man I mentor.

There are many books available that propose to counsel men, but this one ranks with the best I have read. You will profit greatly from these pages.

Jim Stump

Founder of Sports Challenge

www.sportschallenge.org

Author of The Power of One-on-One: Discovering

the Joy and Satisfaction of Mentoring Others

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Several family members and friends have helped make the writing of Every Man Jack possible. Words, though never fully adequate, come easily when I think of them.

Thank you first and foremost to my wife of more than four decades, Valerie Grace. Thank you for lovingly motivating and relentlessly encouraging me to complete Every Man Jack. Without your wisdom, understanding, and discernment in raising our family and coaching me on how to be a good parent and a better man, this book would not have been possible. Because of you, our marriage and our family life have been forged in an environment of faith, hope, love, and a huge dose of reality. You will always be my most honest and candid critic and my closest and dearest friend.

To my sons, Joshua and Nathaniel, and son-in-law, Thomas, your mother and I have been blessed with the joy of watching you become godly men and mentors in your own right. Thank you for being the models of manhood you are to your peers. You are rare examples for a generation in which godly manhood is sorely lacking. Your collective passion for genuine depth of character in life inspired me to pen the words in this book.

To my daughter, Ariel Grace, you are the beautiful rose between two thorns who has profoundly blessed both your mother’s and my heart with your strength of character, undaunted personality, and deep faith in us as your parents. I love being your daddy and friend. Raising you and enjoying your friendship as a grown woman have made me a better father and a godlier man.

Terry Bates and Jeff Bean, our decades-long friendship has been filled with joys and sorrows as we have learned to act like men on our life-long journeys to godly manhood. You have shared your hearts and souls with me like true brothers and friends as we’ve matured together. Thank you for being my fellow mentors and compadres.

Jim Stump, Rick Viall, and Jeff Bean, thank you for your wise and valuable suggestions to improve the writing of this book. I cherish our close friendship. Jim Hatlo, for taking the time to apply your eagle eye editorial skills to my book, I will be forever grateful. You are worth your weight in gold, platinum, and silver!

WestBow Press, you deserve my deepest thanks for providing the platform for new authors like me to share my heart and soul with my generation and the ones that follow.

To all the men I have had the joy of mentoring, you have made a huge impression on my life. Thank you for the relational depth we enjoy together.

There are many others who have stood by me and loved me, as well as inspired and encouraged me in ways too numerous to mention. You know who you are. I love and appreciate every one of you!

PREFACE

For every person born into this world, finding your place and embracing your gender always begins with where you uniquely fit into your family of origin. Family is where we first begin to understand our places as men (or women) and learn how to develop and operate within the dynamics of our God-given sexuality.

I was the only boy in my family and grew up with four sisters. I loved my sisters, but they were all very girlie. As a young boy, and especially as a teenager, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of estrogen. But I survived. I can honestly say I enjoyed being raised with my four feminine siblings. That was due in part to the fact that, as the second child of five, I had significant childhood leverage. To add to my filial advantage, I was very close to my mom. She got me. She intuitively understood me. The fact that my mom had entered her marriage hoping for five boys helped too. I plead guilty to my sisters’ accusation of being Mom’s favorite. But despite my favorite-son status, I was wonderfully blessed with the ability to relate well to the women in my young world.

Connecting with my father was a very different story. Our relationship was, at best, a strained one. It was socially awkward. My dad reveled in his relationship with his daughters, but he had a very tough time relating to me. Our father-son connections were hard fought.

Born into a family with nine siblings, my father’s birth order placed him between his six sisters—three older and three younger. Two of his three brothers were a dozen or more years older than him, out of the house, and on their own just a few years after he was born. Knowing this, I have always suspected that my dad’s placement in his family’s birth order contributed to his female relational bias in family matters. And he wasn’t alone. My Uncle William (my dad’s youngest brother, affectionately known as Billy Clubb) once told me when I turned thirteen that he was amazed I hadn’t grown up to be a sissy. I had to come to terms early on with the fact that my dad’s side of the family was not going to be forthcoming with words of affirmation toward the men in our clan.

So, as you might suspect, my road to manhood was not filled with many attaboy moments from my dad. My path to manhood was a bumpy one. There were some painful life lessons to learn (all by myself) along the way.

I chose to write Every Man Jack because I wanted to remind myself of what I’ve learned about becoming a man over the past six decades. As I said, it has not been an easy road for me. But I did become a man. And I got help from some authentic, God-fearing men along the way. Writing this book is my way of returning the favor.

A word about the title I’ve chosen for this book. If you’re unfamiliar with the street slang adaptation of the word Jack, it’s a reference to a well-loved man. The Urban Dictionary describes a Jack as invariably trustworthy, the first person you would talk to about anything. It further identifies a Jack as a kind, compassionate, and caring man who is very insightful, with an honest nature, and whose heart is always well intended.¹ A Jack is the kind of man who embraces his manhood, always trying to be the best example of his gender.

I love that usage of the word Jack. What man wouldn’t want those qualities characterizing his life? I do. I see it as an apt moniker for a spiritually healthy and emotionally intelligent man.

Philosopher and theologian Dallas Willard observed, Most problems in contemporary churches can be explained by the fact that members have not yet decided to follow Christ. ² There is a discipleship crisis among men in the church today. Jesus’s model of discipling men is being ignored. This book is about deciding as a man to follow Jesus Christ. I want