Subscribe to the Network10 Ways to Minister to a Fatherless Generation
“Who’s your daddy?” can be one of those funny little sayings that students say to each other as a way of giving someone a hard time or picking on them. Today, unfortunately, it is a legitimate question for too many students in our culture. Sometimes called “millenials”, “boomer echo”, and the “Y generation,” many students in this generation have no father present in their lives.
Church leaders have an obligation to step in and not only offer training for men and fathers, but to provide living, breathing surrogates that will be willing to step in and make a difference in the life of a fatherless child. Here are some suggestions on how your church and student ministry can make an impact on those who are fatherless.
1. Accept the fact that you have fatherless students in and around your ministry.
You probably won’t even have to look very far to find them.
2. Choose to realize that the fatherless need someone to intervene in their lives.
Those kids without dads are much more likely to engage in risky behavior. They need you and others to step into their lives and offer them hope.
3. Begin praying for someone in your church or community to develop a love and passion for those who are fatherless.
Decide that you will be a resource person for them. God may not be calling you to spearhead an effort to reach the fatherless, but He is interested in the fatherless and needs someone (like you) to be willing to provide resources to others.
4. Lead the fatherless into the presence of God.
Offer opportunities through your church to reach out and change the lives of those who are fatherless. Many single mothers are looking for someone to help them out, not because they are not capable, but because their time is usually consumed with earning money for the family to simply survive.
5. Teach students in your ministry to develop a love for the fatherless.
Most of your students know at least one other student who does not know their father or have contact with him. Help teens see the importance of sharing their faith with those without one.
6. Develop a heart for the fatherless.
Set the example for others in your church and community. Ladies, if you are married, share your husband. If you are single, encourage your boyfriend or male friends to get involved in working with and reaching kids in the community.
7. Remember that not every student will welcome your involvement at first.
Many of these students have been lied to and left waiting for dad to show up, and he never came. Recognize this fact beforehand and approach your work with youth with the expectation you may not be well received.
8. Accept that you are not the savior.
Christ has been, is, and always will be the only Savior. The fatherless only need on Savior, and it is our goal as student ministry leaders to introduce them to the King of kings.
9. Realize that there will be some fatherless students whom you will not be able to reach.
Realize that reaching the fatherless is a two-way street – students have to be willing to be reached and nurtured at some point. Do not become weary in well-doing in reaching out to the fatherless.
10. Have couples involved in your ministry in leadership roles.
Students need to see a healthy husband and wife relationship. Enlist couples who like one another and who get along with each other. Create opportunities for fathers to be involved in ministry even if they are not the upfront leaders.
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