While firm, they are also very understanding and encouraging. However, if a man did not have a good father, he really has to struggle to be open and understanding. Churches that are growing numerically experience as much change as a family that grows. Routines, expenses, housing, and work assignments change with regularity when a family grows from two children to five. Wise fathers want to do more than meet the physical needs of their children.
Strong leadership is needed in the family for each child to mature and feel loved.
While some of the power of that leadership relates to an ordained role in the family, the spiritual effectiveness of godly parents develops through openness, relationship, and example. Approximately one in five churches are growing numerically today. These are also characteristic of the leaders in these churches. As the attitude of the father sets the mood in the home, so the style of leadership can provide the infrastructure for church growth today. Apathy and status-quo are much more characteristic of declining churches than zeal and evangelism.