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HOW TO BE A SOLUTION TO THE FATHERLESSNESS EPIDEMIC
Kris Vallotton
September 7, 2022
THE DETERIORATION OF BROTHERHOOD
What would the world look like if there was a movement of fathers who turned their hearts back toward their sons and poured into their manhood? Can you imagine the effect this would have on a generation? Men that know their identity and live in the fullness of their calling. The cracked foundation of masculinity becomes firm and the unstable beams stand secure because fathers returned home to provide security for their children and promote them into their destinies. I can only imagine the difference this would make in society.
I know, the idea of solving the issue of the most fatherless generation in history feels daunting. This is an area I am extremely passionate about, but if I become too focused on my own ability to bring solutions, I can find myself incapacitated by the impossibilities. BUT, the good news is that it’s not in our own strength, but rather in the Lord’s strength that we will see the turning of a page for a whole generation.
Men have lost touch with their calling, grappling to find their true identity but losing themselves in the weeds of the enemy's wicked tactics and nefarious nature. Statistics
of children growing up in homes without direction and unfamiliar with the role of a father are disheartening. But, why have men abandoned the family ship? Is there something so appealing about the other type of life they could live? I’d propose that there is no true fulfillment outside of your God-given purpose. Rather, I think before there was a fatherless crisis there was a brotherhood deterioration — men starved from the “bonded in battle” relationships necessary for a man’s survival. There has been a lack of brotherhood that nourishes the soul of a man and reminds him of who he was created to be.
I recently sat down for a conversation with Danny Silk
to talk about the importance of restoring a generation of men. While we were talking Danny made an impactful statement “Men are not born into manhood, rather men learn how to be men from other men.” We need men to rise to the occasion and take responsibility for their part in teaching the next generation of men. It’s not a problem that we need to simply put a band-aid over and wait for the wound to heal. This damage is far greater than something Neosporin will fix. We need the Surgeon to perform surgery on the hearts of men to cut away the surface and get to the root of the problem; to call men forth and give them hope for their future.
BONDED IN BATTLE
NOT ALL HOPE IS LOST
I want to be clear that if you have grown up in a home without a father or maybe you are a single mother raising sons and daughters without a present father, not all hope is lost. We have a Heavenly Father who is the Master of redeeming every area of our life that our earthly father has lacked in. Not even the most present well-meaning father does a perfectly impeccable job at leading his family; we all have faults. But, I do hope you are filled with hope to see a generation of men living in the fullness of their destiny.
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of life's chaos, desperately needing a break, clarity, and a spiritual reset? Picture it like halftime – that pivotal moment when the coach steps in, recalibrates the team, and sparks a turnaround. The game isn't over; this is a chance to come back stronger and claim victory! In recent weeks, a resounding message has been echoing in my heart and mind: January is the Church's halftime! Our divine Coach is calling us to the huddle, to draw close, and let Him fine-tune our game plan – our values, thoughts, and behaviors. Amid the noise, He's inviting us to step away, knowing that leaning into these divine moments will catapult us into the second half, ready for victory. And in this game, we already know the final score – He wins!
Gen Z, labeled as the seemingly lost generation to Christianity, and Gen Alpha, the digital natives immersed in screens, stand at the crossroads of an era defined by the rapid evolution of technology. As they navigate the evolving landscape of identity, both personal and global, a crucial question reverberates: "Has the Church lost this next generation?"
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