‘the State Of Biblical Fatherhood’: Sobering Reality And Substantial Opportunity For Churches

Fathers matter. Study after study confirms that dads play a crucial role in shaping their children’s emotional, academic, and spiritual well-being. As Christians, we shouldn’t be surprised. Scripture says fatherhood is a sacred responsibility. Fathers are to model faith, provide for their families, and teach their children the works and words of God (Deut. 6:4–9; Ps. 78:5–8; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8).

While sociologists have studied fatherhood for decades, until now the church has lacked reliable data on how Christian men live out their role as spiritual leaders. Are the fathers in our pews thriving, or are they barely treading water? To find out, Manhood Journey surveyed more than 6,000 Christian fathers across the country and compiled the findings in The State of Biblical Fatherhood. The results are both revealing and alarming. Here’s a glimpse:

• 83 percent only pray regularly with their families at mealtimes, bedtime, and when a need arises
• 38 percent aren’t serving in their local church
• 33 percent rarely or never give financially to the church
• Only 26 percent say they spend intentional time with their children to help them grow in Bible knowledge and spiritual maturity

This isn’t merely a fatherhood problem. It’s a discipleship crisis.

Fathers’ Spiritual Influence

Psalm 78 records God’s command to Israel’s forefathers to teach their children his testimonies so the next generation might place their hope in the Lord and remember his works. It also carries a warning: Failure to do so will result in children who are rebellious and unfaithful.

Until now, the church has lacked reliable data on how Christian men actually live out their role as spiritual leaders.

According to The State of Biblical Fatherhood, more than 78 percent of Christian dads aren’t reading or discussing Scripture with their children, and more than 42 percent admit they only read the Bible occasionally themselves. If fathers aren’t immersing themselves in the Word, how can they pass it on?

Of course, no father can save his child. But dads are responsible for cultivating an environment where faith can take root. Tragically, most fathers feel unequipped for this task. They’re not always disengaged; they’re just overwhelmed and underprepared. Even dads who long to lead often lack the vision, support, and tools to do so with confidence.

This is where the church must step in.

How to Invest in Fathers

Most churches invest heavily in children’s ministry programs, youth groups, and global missions. These are good and necessary. But how many churches invest in fathers? How many view dads not as passive recipients but as frontline disciple-makers?

If we want to build stronger families and a more faithful next generation, we must make discipling fathers a priority. Here’s how.

1. Engage dads.

In many churches, fatherhood only gets pointed attention once a year on Father’s Day. What if that changed? A church’s ordinary ministry of the Word is discipleship for dads. But regularly engaging dads through specific sermon application, small groups, fatherhood events, and mentoring programs can help them see the importance of coming to church with their families, sitting under biblical preaching, and building biblical friendships. Churches should normalize conversations about fatherhood and invite men into deeper formation.

2. Equip dads.

We train volunteers, teachers, and deacons. What about fathers? They’ve been entrusted with shepherding their families, yet many lack guidance. Churches can offer courses on parenting and marriage. They can provide discipleship tools like devotionals for family worship and family Bible reading plans so dads don’t have to guess at how to lead in the home.

3. Encourage dads.

Many fathers feel disqualified—too sinful, busy, or far behind. But faithfulness doesn’t require perfection. To these dads, we need to clearly communicate that God’s grace and mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:22–23). We need to show them that their past doesn’t define their future. By God’s strength, they can embrace greater faithfulness as fathers.

For the dads already striving to lead their families well, we should encourage them to keep going and not stop with their own households. These dads can lead small groups and mentor others. Many have seen what God has done in their families. We need to help them imagine what God might do through them in others.

Investment Worth Making

Through Spirit-empowered encouragement and gospel-centered instruction, churches can raise up fathers who lead with conviction, humility, and love to strengthen their communities.

Even dads who long to lead often lack the vision, support, and tools to do so with confidence. The church must step in.

The church stands at a crossroads. The crisis in biblical fatherhood is real, but so is the opportunity. Will we continue treating fatherhood as a secondary concern or recognize that investing in it is one of the most strategic moves we can make in the life of the church?

Fathers aren’t a side ministry; they’re a central mission field. If the church will respond with compassion and conviction, we can see a generational shift in discipleship and spiritual vitality. When we engage, equip, and empower dads, we’re not just shaping individual men; we’re sowing seeds that will bear fruit in families, churches, and generations to come.