Where Are the Fathers?

When fathers disappear, sons look for replacements. The world has plenty of volunteers. Be the man you wish had raised you.

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by Virgil Walker
July 13, 2025

He’s been in church longer than most of the staff.

Married. Mid-fifties. Faithful attender. Tithes. Serves on the security team. He’s read The Gospel According to Jesus and watches Ligonier’s Renewing Your Mind on YouTube during breakfast.

But when a younger man recently asked the pastor,

“Can someone disciple me?”
— his name came up.

The pastor reached out.
“Would you be willing to walk with this young man? Help him grow in the Word? Maybe meet once a week?”

The response came quickly.
Awkward chuckle.

“I’m probably not the best guy for that. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Twenty-five years in the pew.
Zero ability — or worse, zero desire — to pass anything on.

The Discipleship Gap

We don’t have a shortage of older men in the Church.
We have a shortage of spiritual fathers.

These men have heard thousands of sermons.
They know what a solid church looks like.
They’ve weathered moral scandals, nav…