Churches Have Resources to Support Christian Fathers

A recent survey of more than 6,000 men found significant gaps in how Christian fathers are living out their faith at home and how the church can help equip them.  The State of Biblical Fatherhood report from the Manhood Journey measures seven key traits of biblical fatherhood, including trusting God, knowing scripture and making disciples. This report turns the data into a practical tool for pastors, men’s ministries and church leaders.

“We’re not just trying to help guys become better dads,” said Kent Evans, executive director of Manhood Journey and coauthor of the report. “We want to raise up biblical fathers — men who are committed to knowing God’s word, leading their families and modeling faithfulness in their homes and churches.”

Among the key findings:

• Eighty-three percent of Christian fathers do not pray regularly with their families.
• Forty-two percent read the Bible only occasionally.
• Nearly 80 percent lack accountability relationships.
• More than three-quarters do not discuss scripture regularly with their children.
• Almost 40 percent do not serve in their local church.

These statistics paint a picture of engaged but spiritually underequipped fathers with far-reaching implications for families, churches, and communities.

“If the church is serious about investing in the next generation and restoring a high and holy view of fatherhood,” said Josh Kubler, the ministry’s director of church engagement, “believers in the pulpit and the pew must take intentional steps to equip men for this vital role.”

To address these issues, Manhood Journey offers churches four video-based courses, father-son Bible studies and customizable fatherhood events. The full report and resources are available at www.manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools.

“Men who are active listeners and observers of their children stand out as effective fathers,” said Dr. Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center for Fathering. “Providentially, Manhood Journey has been listening to fathers and observing what the church must do to sync the biblical foundations of fathering with the church’s available resources in ways that will help dads flourish.”

–Dwight Widaman