This Sunday marks Father's Day.  In our Scripture series, based on Bill Easum's book, Preaching for Church Transformation, we will be looking at the story of Pentecost.  What do Pentecost/being Christ's witness and Father's Day have in common?  They both represent God-given-roles, roles that can only be satisfactorily lived out by God's in-powering.  Let's face it fathers and Christians alike are feeling less and less power in our culture today.

Alexander Mitscherlich argues in Society Without a Father, there has been a "progressive loss of the father's authority and a diminution of his power in the family and over the family."  "If present trends continue," writes David Popenoe, a professor of sociology at Rutgers University, "the percentage of American children living apart from their biological fathers will reach 50% by the next century."  He argues, "this massive erosion of fatherhood contributes mightily to many of the major social problems of our time."

As fatherhood goes, so goes the church.  Why?  Because, it has been proven that the staying power of a child often is linked to his/her father's faith/role as loved parent, wise counselor, provider, one to emulate, icon of the male aspect of God's love.  Tragically, many children don't experience these attributes in their fathers.  Our earthly fathers are human.  Yet, our Heavenly Father defines all these attributes and so many more.  Our Heavenly Father was trusted ENTIRELY by his Son, Jesus Christ.  Our Heavenly Father is the only one who will never abandon, always be righteous and will sacrifice everything so that his sons and daughters will not face sin and death.  He is the perfect protector.

It is only by accepting his powerful love that Christians, and fathers alike, can live out their role fully, face all the battles with the power they seek.  It is God's power, God's purpose, God's plan alone we can trust because it is our Heavenly Father who will win in the end.  Never forget that!  The next time you feel powerless, fathers and followers of Jesus Christ, STOP and do what Jesus did - take time away and pray.  Of course, you can also do what the disciples did before Pentecost wait on the Father's direction, timing and promised power.  You will get it.  He is your Father after all.   Blessings, Rev. Ellen