SOLI/Update - June 13, 2005

Don't forget the Dads!

Happy Father's Day! Is your church doing something special to honor the Dads this Sunday? It should, In fact, congregations should be doing everything they can to get Dads and other men deeply into the life of faith.

Why? Not only because women statistically outnumber the men in the pews (about 60 percent women to 40 percent men), but more importantly because fathers who are active in church are much more likely to raise children to be churchgoers than mothers who are active in church. It's true.

Researchers studying families in church discovered that when both Dad and Mom go to church regularly, 33 percent of their children will attend church regularly as adults. If only Mom goes regularly, the figure dips down to just 2 percent. Amazingly, they found that if only Dad goes to church regularly while Mom always stays home, a whopping 44 percent of the children are likely to attend church. The findings were reported in Rick Warren's website, Pastors.com (click here to read the article) and is one of several interesting items in Gleanings concerning Dads and faith.

The implications are staggering for the stewardship of the Christian faith we hope to pass along to future generations: Focusing on bringing men back to church, along with their families, may be the best way to raise up a new generation of believers. Besides, it's good for the men, for their families and for congregational life as well.

So this Father's Day, salute the Dads in your congregation -- and lay plans to increase their numbers by next June.

--Rob Blezard, editor and webmaster

New This Week:

How do we get our money to God?
This Powerpoint presentation is ideal for Lutheran pastors struggling to explain the interrelationship between local giving and congregational, synod and churchwide budgets. It can easily be tailored to meet the needs of other denominations. Click here for How we get our money to God. Made available through the Association of Lutheran Resource Centers.

Youth use the 'T' word without apology

"If we who love the Lord and want to further the work of the kingdom do not take giving of our money seriously then who will? I think we should extend that past pastors to everyone who works on stewardship and everyone who serves on councils and everyone who is serious about giving thanks for what God has given." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

The Cry of Creation: A Call for Climate Justice

This is a high-quality set of readings and study guides for people of faith to explore issues of environmental protection and climate change. The free 28-page guide in PDF format contains a sermon by noted Christian environmental writer Bill McKibbon and gems from people of other faiths. Click here for The Cry of Creation. Prepared by Earth Ministry for the Interfaith Climate Change Network.

Jerry Schmalenberger: Stewardship of the family

For the run-up to Father's Day, a here's a timeless paper on family and marriage from a noted theologian. "Faithfulness and lifelong fidelity must be stewarded very much like we preserve, conserve, and treasure other priceless possessions and natural resources." Click here for Stewardship of the family. This week's Treasure Chest offering.

Valuing families! Ephesians 3:14

Good stewardship begins with the family, and here is a new resource for people and congregations to explore, honor and support families of all sizes and types. Includes free flyers, tips and study guides available for PDF download. Click here for Valuing Families. Prepared by the National Council of Churches USA.