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Anchor Man: How a Father Can Anchor His Family in Christ for the Next 100 Years
If you thought your parenting responsibilities ended after eighteen years per child, you thought wrong. Instead, it's your privilege to lead your family-and influence succeeding generations-for a century...or more. Anchor Man presents the high calling of fatherhood, the traits of a Christian father, the adventures that await him as he interacts with his children, and the significance of his role as a good family man. Steve Farrar presents these roles and responsibilities in a way any man wanting to increase his understanding of his place in the family, and our society, can put into action every day. Anchor Man encourages, exhorts, and demonstrates with biblical concepts how to raise a godly family and how to anchor that family in Christ for the next one hundred years. Farrar's unique teaching style blends humor and practicality with the tools fathers need to become all that God intended them to be as the leaders of their families. "When a man gets serious about following Christ with his whole heart," Farrar says, "God desires to not only pour out His blessing on that man, but on his children, and his children's children.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
20 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Steve Farrar
45 books54 followersSteve Farrar is the founder of Men’s Leadership Ministries. He holds a Master’s degree from Western Seminary, and an earned doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. Steve is the author of the best-selling book, Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family, God Built, Battle Ready, and True Courage. Steve Farrar resides in Texas with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 11, 2025
“How does a man anchor and lead his family for at least the next one hundred years?”
Although dated in many areas (published in the late 1990’s, it mentions VHS, fax machines, Walkmen, compact discs, the Macarena), it is still full of absolute truths about how to anchor your family, raise your kids, and be the best father, husband, and leader in your household you can be. As with any book, use discernment but I did find it encouraging.
Although dated in many areas (published in the late 1990’s, it mentions VHS, fax machines, Walkmen, compact discs, the Macarena), it is still full of absolute truths about how to anchor your family, raise your kids, and be the best father, husband, and leader in your household you can be. As with any book, use discernment but I did find it encouraging.
May 22, 2022
It is a good book with solid principles. However, I found the writing poor, repetitive, and with too many illustrations. The final few chapters were the best. It's not one of my top father book recommendations, and it doesn't match his "Point Man" book at all.
January 28, 2025
As a son of divorced parents, I have long wrestled with the concept of fatherhood. While I want to be a father one day, I feel horribly unequipped and unprepared to face that journey. While I fully cognize and embrace that God is the only one who can shepherd me through this tribulation, I have engrossed myself in the pursuit of understanding what makes an effective Christian father. So far, I have only learned two things indubitably:
1.) There is no consummate elucidation for fatherhood. Discipline, leniency, understanding, lifestyle, and attitude all are capable of either bolstering or undermining your esteem as a parent.
2.) The only exception to the posit above is an individual, relentless pursuit of the true Father.
My only critique of this book involves not its content but its format. In my opinion, chapter 10, entitled“Dry Copies,” should be the first chapter of the book. This chapter asseverates the imperativeness of providing a great example of godliness and masculinity through actions rather than words.
My life has been full of incredibly flawed, yet understandably human, father figures—each with their own vices and discreditations. As a child and as a young man, I have committed my labor to the pursuit of the values and ideals of leadership, power, and education, and I have since struggled with the frustration of witnessing fathers in my own life or others’ who speak before they act or, worse yet, demand what they have not exemplified. Throughout all the leadership training I’ve attended and resources I have studied, the first and most important step for people who desire authority has been to lead by example, and the only way to encourage others to do something you haven’t done yourself is to clearly and compellingly explain why it is in their best interest to act accordingly. I realize now that my own inadequacies are a byproduct of the shortcomings of the men in my life, and my frustrations are targeted not toward these men as resentment but toward my own inability to overcome and avoid these obstacles. I accept that the only perfect father was God, and the only way I will break the cycles of those before me is through the wisdom which He reveals through books, examples, or even good ol’ divine intervention.
“Anchor Man” has served as a phenomenal stepping stone on my journey, but it is cognizantly incomplete. I am writing this review less for others to gain some sort of insight and more for myself as a reminder that I can only accomplish my goals through Christ as it states in Philippians 4:13. To those who took the time to read this, I could only hope my reflections might be of use to you, but primarily, I hope it reestablishes that the first priority of fatherhood is God and your obedience to Him. Becoming a great and honorable father comes by first following in the footsteps of the greatest and most honorable Father and embodying, through faith and action, the principles you importune to pass on in your children.
1.) There is no consummate elucidation for fatherhood. Discipline, leniency, understanding, lifestyle, and attitude all are capable of either bolstering or undermining your esteem as a parent.
2.) The only exception to the posit above is an individual, relentless pursuit of the true Father.
My only critique of this book involves not its content but its format. In my opinion, chapter 10, entitled“Dry Copies,” should be the first chapter of the book. This chapter asseverates the imperativeness of providing a great example of godliness and masculinity through actions rather than words.
My life has been full of incredibly flawed, yet understandably human, father figures—each with their own vices and discreditations. As a child and as a young man, I have committed my labor to the pursuit of the values and ideals of leadership, power, and education, and I have since struggled with the frustration of witnessing fathers in my own life or others’ who speak before they act or, worse yet, demand what they have not exemplified. Throughout all the leadership training I’ve attended and resources I have studied, the first and most important step for people who desire authority has been to lead by example, and the only way to encourage others to do something you haven’t done yourself is to clearly and compellingly explain why it is in their best interest to act accordingly. I realize now that my own inadequacies are a byproduct of the shortcomings of the men in my life, and my frustrations are targeted not toward these men as resentment but toward my own inability to overcome and avoid these obstacles. I accept that the only perfect father was God, and the only way I will break the cycles of those before me is through the wisdom which He reveals through books, examples, or even good ol’ divine intervention.
“Anchor Man” has served as a phenomenal stepping stone on my journey, but it is cognizantly incomplete. I am writing this review less for others to gain some sort of insight and more for myself as a reminder that I can only accomplish my goals through Christ as it states in Philippians 4:13. To those who took the time to read this, I could only hope my reflections might be of use to you, but primarily, I hope it reestablishes that the first priority of fatherhood is God and your obedience to Him. Becoming a great and honorable father comes by first following in the footsteps of the greatest and most honorable Father and embodying, through faith and action, the principles you importune to pass on in your children.
March 4, 2019
Farrar always seems to connect for me. His writing is on a level that I relate to. He is able to weave a story into a principle that allows me to see, hear it clearly, & understand for I need to do, say, or think.
The premise of the book is found in Scripture, that a man is to teach his son & his son’s son the truth. This man is to anchor those 3 generations in the truth. (100 years). I wish I had read this when I was a young man. But I’m thankful for the young men that I know lead as their pastor. This book was a help to me & I’d recommend it to any man.
The premise of the book is found in Scripture, that a man is to teach his son & his son’s son the truth. This man is to anchor those 3 generations in the truth. (100 years). I wish I had read this when I was a young man. But I’m thankful for the young men that I know lead as their pastor. This book was a help to me & I’d recommend it to any man.
October 19, 2019
This book will light a fire in your soul to be the prayer warrior your family needs. Prayer is truly our only weapon against spiritual wickedness. Is your family worth it? Absolutely. Be the anchor for the storm every family eventually goes through, this book is a must read for any father.
July 2, 2024
Every husband and father should read this.
August 14, 2013
I received Anchor Man several years ago as a gift from my brother. My intent is to read it every Father's Day. I haven't been successful, but reading it annually is my intent.
Farrar does an excellent job of calling things like they are, and challenging men to leave a legacy that is both honoring to God and to our families for generations to come. This book is a "Must Read" for every father or surrogate father.
Farrar does an excellent job of calling things like they are, and challenging men to leave a legacy that is both honoring to God and to our families for generations to come. This book is a "Must Read" for every father or surrogate father.
May 24, 2011
One of the Best books yet that I have read, each chapter not only did I learn and apply something to my life, but it Never got stale or boring. This book lines up 100% with the Word of God and tell me, what Man would Not want to "Anchor" his family for the next 100+ year to Christ! Please read this book and ask God to turn the pages for you.
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August 7, 2008
Finishing Strong is still my favorite by him, but this is worth reading
January 19, 2009
I am reading this book as part of Men's class at church.
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April 10, 2011I am a Steve Farrar fan!
May 30, 2024
Great read - full of good insights for men and how they should live for Jesus…
December 27, 2014
Excellent book by a tremendously faithful man.
May 5, 2016
Great book! There are a ton of great insights about how to build a legacy for your family. I know I will use some of the principles of this book to help me be a better husband and father.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews