Missional fatherhood as a strategy to inmates who struggle with father absence: Building hope through a programme

Abstract

Families remain the world’s oldest, most basic form of relationship. However, in the 21st century, this unit is facing multiple crises. The fact cannot be ignored that many families experience no fatherly presence. This lack is a contributing factor to children in need of care and protection in South Africa. The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 stipulates that a child in need of care and protection is the child who face any social issue such as abuse and absent parents and who abuse alcohol, drugs and other substances. Currently, there are a seemingly endless number of activities outlined for the family. However, these activities are insignificant when measured against God’s plan for families.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Father absenteeism and fatherlessness lead to many families and, especially, children destroyed. The family is redefined, and significantly, the father does not feature in this definition. Missional fatherhood has an interdisciplinary approach comprising two disciplines: missiology and practical theology. Missional fatherhood implies to live sacrificial lives for the sake of families and children, and cater for the needs of others. Missional fathers are committed to a God-given mission where fathers model and inculcate the love of Christ into the hearts of their children.