Restoring Fatherhood

An important and encouraging reminder on the importance of the role of the father in the development of a child.  Statistics have born out the importance of a father.  Just to name a few, a person born to a fatherless home is

• 15.3 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
•  4.6 times more likely to commit suicide
•  6.6 times more likely to become teenaged mothers
•  6.6 times more likely to drop out of school
•  15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager

       -From Fathers Unite

The bond between a father and son/daughter is more than just a relationship.  The love and discipline that a father can provide is unique.  God has established an order in family and the household that is reflected in these statistics.  This is so much more than 'obeying your father and mother' or tradition.  Family plays an important role in the physiological development of a child and allows a child to grow up within the protection of someone who cares for them.  Most importantly, the father serves as an important role model to a child.  A father is there to help, guide, encourage, and develop their children.

The stability of the family has been the bedrock foundation of cultures throughout history.  When this institution collapses, society collapses along with it.  Father's are the backbone of this institution.  When children are no longer able to develop within a loving, protecting community the role model to look up to becomes the enshrined celebrity rather than the loving father.  We see the damage this has done.

Worthwhile movie just released on this topic. 

Faith Christian-Themed Movie ‘Courageous’ Resonates With Audiences Across America

The movie delves into the stories of four law enforcement officers. The men, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller, are good at what they do, but they face a major challenge at home: Learning how to be good and active fathers. Here’s more of the synopsis from the movie’s official web site:

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they’re quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God … and to their children?

This is the fourth film to come from the Albany, Georgia-based Sherwood Baptist Church. In 2006, the house of worship spent $10,000 making “Facing the Giants,” which grossed $10 million in the end. Another popular movie Sherwood produced, “Fireproof,” was $500,000 to create, though it grossed a large sum — $33 million. It appears “Courageous” is destined for success as well.
Over the weekend, “Courageous,” which was produced with only $2 million, premiered in fifth place among all movies. Already, the movie has earned $8.8 million, which is $2 million above the opening income earned by “Fireproof.” Entertainment Weekly writes:

Shown in 1,161 theaters (yet, notably, just one theater in Manhattan), Courageous earned the best per theater average of any wide release with a robust $7,580.

Here’s the astounding part about all of this: The people making these films aren’t award-winning directors and producers. The church’s pastors, Alex Kendrick (who directs, co-writes and often stars) and Stephen Kendrick (who produces and co-writes) are the men behind the camera. And church members, too, perform and work in the crew. It’s fascinating that these individuals consistently churn out independent hits.

For more:  Courageous 

Good line from one Dad to his daughter, "I want you to find a prince without kissing all the toads!"


Also: See a previous blog post, Marriage Under Fire for other statistics on Marriage.