By John Richardson
I didn’t have any use for Father’s Day growing up. My dad died when I was only three years old and my mother never remarried. I saw my friends who had fathers, some very caring—others not so much. There were men in my life who came alongside me as mentors and guides, but I did not know what it was to call someone “Dad.” When my wife and I had children, I was both thrilled to be a father and fearful that I did not know how to do it.
Every year, the gift card and gift industries gear up to provide grateful children with the opportunity to communicate their appreciation to caring fathers through golf-themed cards, grilling supplies, and questionable neckties. And for many, that is exactly what happens. There are others, however, who have a more complicated experience of having a father and being a father. How can men’s ministry leaders use this annual focus on fatherhood to help men to grow in their relationship with God and with others? Here are some suggestions:
Hold a men’s event in person or online with a panel of dads and children sharing the real challenges and victories in their relationships. I recommend that the kids be teenagers or older to provide the best perspective. Let the facilitator and the audience ask probing questions to explore the opportunity and responsibility dads have to influence their children. Wrap up the discussion with a handful of principles or takeaways that will help everyone.
In the weeks leading up to or following Father’s Day, offer a men’s Bible study that explores the lives of fathers in the Bible. There are many examples of fathers who honor the Lord as well as examples of men who fail in their role as dad. Seek together to identify the deeper heart attitudes as well as the actions that make a man a good father. Wrap up the study by examining passages that reveal God as the only Holy and Good Father.
A father and children outing can be great fun and can be naturally tied to Father’s Day. The possibilities are endless for such events. A fishing trip, hike, dinner, concert, or some kind of memory-making shared experience can provide opportunity for connection and care. This type of outing is even better when you make sure that kids without dads or dads without kids are invited to participate. This simple step will demonstrate that the most important family we can have is our extended family of faith. Some activities will make it easier to observe social distancing than others will.
Connect young fathers with older, more experienced fathers in mentor relationships. These friendships can provide guidance, support, wisdom, and confidence to the young father and a sense of satisfaction to the older father. Provide each pair with a loose framework of topics to cover and conversations to have with one another. Be sure, however, to give each pair plenty of room to explore the specific stories and challenges they are facing.
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