Every Mothers Day as I grew up in the church, we would replace “Father” with “Mother” as we sang “Faith of our Fathers.” But if a new Barna survey is correct, that hymn should have had been written “Faith of our Mothers” in the first place.
Men may enjoy advantages in physical strength, but they are much less likely than women to exercise their spiritual muscles. This gender gap extends to the typical family unit: mothers outpace fathers in terms of spiritual activity and commitment. In fact, the Barna survey examined 12 different elements of faith behavior and perspective. Mothers were distinct from fathers on 11 of the 12 factors.
When it comes to spiritual perspectives, a majority of mothers said they have been greatly transformed by their faith, while less than half of fathers had shared this experience. Also, three-quarters of moms said their faith is very important in their life, while this view was true among just two-thirds of fathers. Mothers were also more likely than fathers to be born again Christians, to say they are absolutely committed to Christianity, and to embrace a personal responsibility to share their faith in Jesus Christ with others.
Moms are also more religiously active. In a typical week, mothers are more likely than are fathers to attend church, pray, read the Bible, participate in a small group, attend Sunday school, and volunteer some of their time to help a non-profit organization. The only faith-related activity in which fathers are just as likely as mothers to engage is volunteering to help at a church.
Is this true of your church? Of your mother and father? Of yourself?
If so, consider replacing “Father of Our Fathers” with this updated version . . .
Faith of our Mothers
Faith of our mothers, living yet,
after church meetings, house-breaking pets,
Car-pooling Little League, lessons at 2,
None would get done if it weren’t for you.
Faith of our mothers! Holy faith!
We will be true to you always.
Faith of our mothers, living still,
in spite of doc’tring others while ill,
Working long hours and dinner at 5,
Only by God’s grace are they alive!
Faith of our mothers! Holy faith!
We will be true to you always.
Faith of our mothers passed on to each
child and grandchild, nephew and niece,
Sharing their faith, their hope, and their love,
Grant them your strength and peace from above.
Faith of our mothers! Holy faith!
We will be true to you always.
(c) 1993 James N. Watkins
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May 9, 2007 at 21:56
It is not true in my family. I am the spiritual leader of my family. And its not been easy. My wife does not go to church and so it makes it doubly difficult. It makes it difficult because I grew up in a family where my dad was absent and mom was the spiritual leader and I am left clueless sometimes as to what to do.
Too often in churches we encounter “support groups” (I hate that term) for women whose husbands don’t go to church, but there is nothing for men whose wives don’t go to church. I often feel like a spiritual failure for not being able to get my wife to church and for being such a poor witness that she doesn’t want to go to church. She claims she is a Christian but…I don’t know.
Faith of My Fathers? It will be in my house and my children will know what it is to have a father who cannot exist without the strength of his Heavenly Father.
Faith of My Fathers? My oldest son (10 yrs) gets mad at me if I don’t wake him up to have a devotion with me. My 8yr old daughter just accepted Christ and will be baptized soon.
Faith of My Fathers? I may not be doing everything right, but my children will have a better foundation to build on then I ever did. Fathers are too lazy and it infuriates me that they have absolved themselves of their responsibility and allowed their wives to take it over. This is not how God desires it.
Kids need their fathers to take up the mantle of Christian leadership in the homes. Children are much more likely to stay IN the church when the father is actively involved in their spiritual growth. Children are more likely to stay out of trouble when their father is setting the example. When are fathers going to stand up and take charge?
“A real man is one who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects the greater rewards…God’s reward.” (Deut 6:6)
Lewis, Robert. “Raising A Modern Day Knight.” 1997. 60.
May 10, 2007 at 21:22
Before I rant, let me say, “Bravo to Eric!”
Although it may be true that women are fulfilling their role better than men, that is not something to rejoice in. It is not something to contently accept. It should get people angry, angry enough to do something about it. True, it is important to thank mothers for their faith, but let us exhort men to be the servant-leaders that they are meant to be. Let the church get serious about seeing men walk in their authority and say, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
So, thank you, Eric. May you be an example to the rest of us.