Five Things We Will Learn
- Why fatherhood is both a natural and spiritual calling of great responsibility.
- How fathers—both natural and spiritual—are to model godly example and conduct.
- The importance of affirmation, blessing, and impartation in fatherhood.
- Why humility and relational growth are essential in raising spiritual sons and daughters.
- How maturity determines when to release or oversee sons and daughters in ministry.
The Serious Calling of Fatherhood
Fatherhood is a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly—by either the father himself or the body of Christ. It is encouraging to observe present-day natural and spiritual fathers turning their hearts to their sons and daughters, just as prophesied by the prophet Malachi (4:6).
The Primary Responsibilities of a Father
- He is to be an example to his sons and daughters.
Paul instructed Timothy to “…be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.” Paul was bold enough to say to the Corinthians, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16–17).
Related:
- The Commands of Jesus (Part 25 & 26) Antioch – One Body, Many Parts, Different Gifts – Apostles
- Wheat, Wildfire, Weeds, and Wisdom: The Apostolic Path That Turned Chaos into Harvest
- From Wildfire to Order: Scattered Believers Won the Lost, Apostles Paul and Barnabas Shaped the Church
- We Have Not Many Father’s | Spiritual Fatherhood as a Biblical Model
- Apostolic Ministry and the Role of Apostles, Ken Sumrall | Modern-Day Apostles
- The Father’s Role in Shaping the Identity of His Children Including His Adult Children: The Power of Approval | The Power in the Father’s Blessing
- Understanding Father God’s Anger and Discipline and His Times of Refreshing from a Biblical Perspective | God’s Anger, Discipline, Hardship, Weight of Sin and Offenses, a Life that is Wasting Away, and Times of Refreshing
- He is to be an affirmer.
Even Jesus needed affirmation from His Father, as seen in the Father’s words to Him at His baptism: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Every person needs to be publicly and positively recognized by his or her father.
The Family Circus comic strip once showed Billy, a small boy, playing with his father. Billy said, “Let’s play catch, Dad. I’ll pitch the ball, and you say, ‘Good throw.’” Ministers are no different from others—they need affirmation too.
Let each Apostolic Father ensure that his sons and daughters know he appreciates their work—whether it’s their care for their natural families or their service to the Lord in the church.
Here are a few affirmations from Words Every Child Must Hear by Cynthia Good. Adjusted slightly, they are equally fitting for one’s spiritual sons and daughters:
- I like you just the way you are.
- You are a part of me—an important part.
- I enjoy doing things for you.
- I love spending time with you.
- I am interested in the things you do.
- I care about how you feel.
- I am a safe person for you; you can tell me your problems.
- Let’s have some fun together.
- He is to bless and impart.
The laying on of hands is listed as a foundational doctrine in Hebrews 6. One of the first examples of laying on of hands was when the patriarchs laid hands on their sons and blessed them. Isaac laid hands on Jacob and Esau; Jacob placed his hands on Joseph’s sons and blessed them; Moses laid hands on Joshua, his spiritual son, and blessed him; and Jesus placed His hands on little children and blessed them.
Impartation often occurs through the laying on of hands. Paul mentions in his letter to Timothy that certain gifts were imparted to him through this act by Paul and the presbytery.
It is appropriate to hold laying-on-of-hands services not only for ordination but also for imparting blessings and gifts through prophetic utterance. Fathers often impart courage, security, a sense of destiny, and even anointing for ministry through the laying on of their hands.
Related:
- Dynamics of Shepherds and Sheep, Finding Safety in our Good Shepherd’s Care
- Everyone needs a church Family, a Tribe. | Finding your place, love, purpose and hope in the family of God
- The Nature of True Apostleship | A Burden to Bear, not a Position to be Sought
- Nurturing a God-Centered Marriage: Overcoming Challenges, The Pastor’s Marriage, The Dangers of Pornography, The A.I. Push of the god Baal, Pursuing Faithfulness, and Finding True Happiness
- Jeroboam’s Journey: From Integrity to Ruin | Good God Beginnings, Doesn’t Mean Good Endings. Learn How to End Well!
- He is to teach humility.
The best way to teach humility is to model it. As leaders, we must continually remind ourselves that we are not to “lord over” ministers who are rightly related to us, but to serve them as Jesus did His disciples. A spirit of foot washing and a readiness to ask forgiveness among ministers invite the presence of God more than anything else we can do. Three of the most powerful words in the English language are: “I was wrong.”
- He must understand that fathering is relative.
None of us treats an eight-year-old the same way we would a fifteen-year-old, nor should we father an adult or married son or daughter as if they were still teenagers under our control. Fathering is relational and changes with maturity.
A father must also recognize when it is time to release sons who are anointed to be spiritual fathers themselves—and then oversee them from a distance. However, it is equally important to ensure a son does not “go out” before he is ready. Some young ministers want to be grown without going through the stages of growing up.
The story is told of a young man who went to Bible college and later applied to the bishop of his area to be sent out as a missionary. He was scheduled for a test and asked to arrive at the bishop’s office at six o’clock in the morning. The young man walked several miles and arrived on time. He sat in the foyer and waited to take his test. Finally, the bishop appeared, greeted him, and began.
Related:
- God is Recruiting for His Special Forces; Brother Ken Sumrall and Retired Lieutenant Jerry Boykin Founding Member of Delta Force
- Apostolic Church Arising: Tearing Down Sacred Cows?
- Re-Digging the Wells of our Fathers; Honoring those who Have Gone Before Us
- Family: God’s Original Intent for the Church – It’s like the Church of Acts: dreams, visions, miracles, healings
- Signs of Readiness
“Can you spell ‘cat’?” he asked. Hesitantly, the young man spelled, “C-A-T.”
“Good. Now spell ‘dog.’”
Surprised by the simplicity, the applicant replied, “D-O-G.”
“Excellent. One more—spell ‘man.’”
Hardly believing the question, he answered, “M-A-N.”
The bishop smiled. “You passed the test, young man; we can send you as a missionary.”
The applicant protested, “I don’t understand. How could spelling three simple words qualify me to be a missionary?”
The bishop replied, “You walked many miles before daybreak to come to my office—you passed the test of self-discipline. You waited three hours for me to see you—you passed the test of patience. And you spelled three simple words without expressing frustration—you passed the test of humility. We already read your excellent transcripts from Bible college. Son, you are mature enough now to go and represent our Lord on the mission field.”