Religion: A Pastor Ponders

The Role of a Father

By Pastor William Jenkins

June 15, 2007

As we celebrate Father’s Day I remember something the late Erma Bombeck once said about fathers: When I was a little girl, a father was like the light in the refrigerator. Every house had one, but nobody knew what they did when the door was closed. Whenever I played house, the mother doll always had plenty to do. I never knew what to do with the daddy doll, so I had him say, “Well, I’m off to work now.” Then I threw him under the bed.

I think sometimes we still don’t quite know what to do with fathers. We have recently come through a period when we persuaded ourselves fathers were not essential in the family make-up. Reason has prevailed and there is a growing awareness that fathers are necessary to the wholesome development of children. Fathers are expected at least to be good roll models for their children. Fortunate is the man who hears his daughter say, “I want to marry a man just like my dad.”

To be a good role model, a father must have a good role model. No better model can be found than that of Jesus, the Christ. Jesus stands in sharp contrast to a culture that judges manliness by appearance and status. With modest credentials Jesus walked through life with an air of confidence and courage. He was never intimidated by the majority opinion, never afraid to stand alone outside the crowd. Being accepted by lower natures was not His ambition. He did not fear being thought weak for demonstrating reverence for God or affection for people. His manliness wore at the same time the homespun garments of humility and the fine spun garments of authority. He ever remained perfectly adjusted to what and who He was.

It’s not easy to fulfill the role of a father; therefore, get out your Bible and read more about the life of Jesus. You will learn not only what it takes to be a good father but also what it takes to be a man.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

HYPERLINK - http://www.lcumc.org