Fathering 101 (Part 2)

In our last blog we discussed the first three strategies for effective fathering. Now when I say fathering, that includes your own children or even a protégé that your mentoring and coaching. We all need a level of fathering as we live our lives. This blog will focus on the last three strategies for being an effective father. 

1) Encourage - Encourage them when they succeed and when they fail.
A huge component of growing and developing includes a consistent stream of encouragement. Let’s face it. We all get discouraged as we work, live, and play. Having someone in our lives that can come along side and encourage us is a great resource. Effective fathers are intentional with their encouragement. Win or lose, an effective father is there to give a pat on the back or to reach down and offer a hand up. Are you encouraging to your children? What about those you lead? Think of ways that you can be encouraging to those around you. 

2) Discipline/Correct - Call out their blindspots in love.
We all have blindspots in our lives. These are areas of our lives that are there, but we cannot see them. Sometimes these blindspots are causing us major headaches in our lives. These can take the form of character flaws that we honestly don’t see. They can also be things that we choose not to address. An effective father will be willing to confront these blindspots in love. The idea in confronting and correcting these issues is to help the son or daughter. Great fathers love to help their sons and daughters achieve greatness. Are you willing to confront in love? Do you know how to confront in love? What are your blindspots? 

3) Call Them to Nobility - Help them think higher. There is always another level!
Setting a high standard is another strategy that great fathers use. It is up to the father to raise the bar for the son or daughter. Greatness is achieved when standards are upheld. Will there be disappointments? Absolutely! But dealing and coping with a disappointment is part of the process of developing greatness. Effective fathers always raise the bar for their children. They know the greatness potential in them and are committed to draw it out. Do you set a high standard for your children? Do you set a high standard for yourself? Never ask someone to do something that you are unwilling to do. 
I hope these strategies have been a help to you. Don’t wait! Start implementing right away. The next generation is depending on you. 

​Robert Burdett 
Senior Pastor PowerHouse Church