Be Strong. Prove yourself a man

A Personal Invitation to the Divergent Men's Summit 2026

By Josh

"“I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man." 1 Kings 2:2

As I've reflected on our upcoming Divergent Men's Summit, I keep coming back to these words from David to Solomon.

They are final words of a father to his son.

David had experienced victories and failures, he had known triumph and heartbreak. He had led armies, ruled a nation, and walked through seasons of incredible faith and devastating moral failure.

Now, nearing the end of his life, he speaks to the next generation.

And his message is surprisingly simple but confronting.

Be strong. Prove yourself a man

Even that phrase itself in this day and age elicits among many reaction. If you asked a hundred people today what it means to be a man, you would probably receive a hundred different answers.

Some would talk about success, others would talk about power. Some would talk about money, influence, status, fitness, or achievement. Others might tell us masculinity itself is the problem, they might say the challenge itself is broken.

Yet when David speaks to Solomon, he points him in an entirely different direction then most answers that may be given.

The very next verse tells us what David means: "Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands..." 1 Kings 2:3 (NIV)

In other words, biblical manhood begins not with strength but with submission to God.

Not with dominance but with obedience.

Not with self-promotion but with faithfulness.

The strongest men I have known are not necessarily the loudest men. They are not always the most successful men.

Often they are men who quietly and consistently do what God has asked of them.

They love their wives. They raise their children. They honour their commitments.

They work diligently. They serve others. They remain faithful when life becomes difficult. They keep following Jesus.

That is strength, that is biblical manhood.

The Crisis of Passive Men

One of the challenges I see today is not simply confusion about masculinity, it is passivity.

Too many men have stepped back from responsibility.

Too many men have settled for comfort.

Too many men are drifting rather than living intentionally.

We distract ourselves, we entertain ourselves, we occupy ourselves.

Yet deep down many men know they were created for more.

The Kingdom of God does not advance through passive men.

Strong families are not built by passive men.

Healthy churches are not built by passive men.

Communities are not transformed by passive men.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls men to step forward.

Not because men are more valuable than women, not because leadership is about power but because responsibility matters.

Joshua was called to courage.

Nehemiah was called to rebuild.

Peter was called to shepherd.

Paul was called to endure hardship for the Gospel.

Each of them had flaws.

Each of them had weaknesses.

Yet each of them chose to respond to God's call.

What Does It Mean to Act Like a Man?

For me, this is one of the most important questions we can ask.

Not what culture says.

Not what social media says.

Not what our insecurities say.

What does Scripture say?

To act like a man is to take responsibility rather than make excuses.

To act like a man is to protect rather than exploit.

To act like a man is to serve rather than dominate.

To act like a man is to lead rather than remain passive.

To act like a man is to endure hardship rather than quit.

To act like a man is to pursue holiness rather than compromise.

To act like a man is to follow Jesus regardless of the cost.

This kind of man strengthens his family.

This kind of man strengthens his church.

This kind of man strengthens his community.

This kind of man is desperately needed in our world.

Why the Men's Summit Matters

This is why the Divergent Men's Summit matters to me.

Not because we need another event, not because we need another item on the church calendar but because I believe men need moments where they intentionally step away from the noise and seek God together.

We need moments where we are challenged, moments where we are sharpened.

Moments where we build genuine brotherhood, moments where we are reminded who we are and who God has called us to become.

Over two days, men from across Canberra and the surrounding region will gather to worship, learn, pray, encourage one another, and pursue Jesus together.

My prayer is not simply that men leave inspired.

My prayer is that men leave transformed.

That husbands become more faithful.

That fathers become more intentional.

That young men gain clarity and conviction.

That leaders become more servant-hearted.

That disciples become more devoted to Jesus.

A Personal Challenge

Every man is being shaped by something.

Your career.

Your ambitions.

Your fears.

Your habits.

Your friendships.

Your media consumption.

Your relationship with God.

The question is not whether you are being shaped.

The question is what is shaping you?

As we approach the Men's Summit, I want to challenge you to make room for God to shape you.

Make the time.

Create the space.

Prioritise what matters.

Not because attending an event changes everything but because positioning yourself before God often does.

David's challenge to Solomon still echoes through the centuries.

"Be strong, act like a man."

My prayer is that together we would discover what that truly means in the way of Jesus.

I hope you'll join us on 4–5 September 2026.

Josh