Dad Is The Pastor

If there has been one consistent theme that I have been sensing among pastors and denominational leaders from all evangelical backgrounds is that we are weak on evangelism. The gospel is being proclaimed from the pulpit, but not from the pew. I think that there are many factors that have contributed to this but one of the greatest is the breakdown of Biblical Christian community in the home.

Billy Graham once said, "If your Christianity does not work at home, don't export it." In that regard, it may be to the credit of many families that they don't bother to evangelize the lost. I believe that one of the best means to improving our evangelistic efforts, however, is to strengthen Christian community in the home. This has to begin with male leadership. I don't know whether it was the dads abrogating their roles or pastors taking it from them that has led us to where we are but both are wrong and must be avoided. Dads need to be taught, encouraged, and held accountable by their fellow male believers that they are to be the pastors for their families first. Dads should be initiating regular family worship and prayer time with their families and discipling their children in Biblical wisdom. Its not a suggestion it is an imperative (Deut. 6). I'd be willing to bet that if our Christianity began to work at home we wouldn't be having discussions as pastors on how to improve our evangelism. But then what do I know, I'm just a modern day puritan.

A godly man promotes religion in his family; he sets up piety in his house as well as in his heart…. A godly man's house is a little church…. A good man makes known the oracles of God to those who are under his roof. He reads the Word and perfumes his house with prayer.
Thomas Watson—A Godly Man's Picture