The Effective Father

by Gordon MacDonald

Drawing on his counseling experience, the author identifies biblical principles that mark the difference between being a male parent and being a responsible, effective father. Spanish available

Genres: Christian, Parenting

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Gordon MacDonald has been a pastor and author for over forty years. For many years he pastored Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massacusetts and continues to serve as Pastor Emertius. He has also provided leadership to influential ministries such as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, which he served as President for three years, and World Relief, which he currently serves as Chairman. Gordon’s best-selling books include Ordering Your Private World, Mid-Course Correction and, most recently, A Resilient Life. He also writes and serves as Editor-at-Large for Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal. When not writing, leading or speaking at conferences, Gordon and his wife Gail can be found hiking the trails of New England.

Reviews

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

GORDON MACDONALD, “THE EFFECTIVE FATHER”

“... someday I'm going to be dead, and when that happens, I want my kids and my wife to say, 'You know, Dad was a lot of fun.' (p107)

It is said of Boswell, the famous biographer of Samuel Johnson, that he often referred to a special day in his childhood when his father took him fishing. The day was fixed in his mind, and he often reflected upon many things his father had taught him in the course of their fishing experience together. After having heard of that particular excursion so often, it occurred to someone much later to check the journal that Boswell’s father kept and determine what had been said about the fishing trip from the parental perspective. Turning to that date, the reader found only one sentence entered: “Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted.”

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[Jakub Marek · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what I've just read but it was a frikkin nightmare. This book has no right to have 4+ rating but it has below 40 reviews so it's not really relevant.
I read it as a part of self-education for foster parents, I can't belive they have this crap on the list. The book was written by a baptist reverend in the 70's and it shows... a lot. Admittedly, it has SOME good points like predicting future issues, enough attention to the children, moderate approach, etc., but honestly, there are not many huge revelations. On the other hand, half the book are Biblical stories and assimiles with some INSANE tips the craziest being "if your kids don't share your faith, cut ties with them" and "physical punishment is OK since FIRST MONTHS".
The opening story is also absolutely breathtakingly derranged - a father takes his three sons and his father fishing, their boat's engine goes out and they start sinking. Long story short, the father is the only one to survive. But, he was a good father because his son's last words were that he now goes to Jesus. I don't know, I think the preferable approach would be to check weather forecast or not taking three children on open sea in a piece of junk that suddenly sinks but that's just me, a horrible atheist.
I don't now what kind of mental case you need to be to rate this 5 stars but shame... on... you.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My red this over couple of years... full of great stories, ideas, and honesty is well.
A big point he makes is about having foresight to see problems as they are developing, and to take initiative to train and prepare kids for what lies ahead.