Let's Talk Grandparenting Ministry - What About the Grandpas?

I've been writing all week about Grandparenting Ministry and have been sharing with you some of the things the speakers said at the Legacy Coalition meeting I attended last week as we met to talk about engaging and equipping churches to engage, equip and encourage grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. Yesterday I shared what Cathy Jacobs had to say about the single grandmother; today I want to talk about the role of the grandpas.

Ken Canfield spoke about the, "Grandfather Factor" and shared about the three events in men's lives which transforms their lives. He said these three events are . . . 

1. When they are born
2. When they figure out why they were born
3. When they become fathers/grandfathers

He went on to say grandfathers have three important roles to fulfill in regards to their grandchildren . . . 

1. They recall the past - where they have been
2. They identify the present
3. They give a blessing - a picture of the future

It is very powerful for grandpas to be men who are focused on making a difference in the lives of their grandchildren. I know my husband is doing exactly this; he is making a difference in the lives of our three grandsons.

In our churches we know if and when we get fathers to engage and focus on passing on a heritage of faith to their children it makes a huge difference. The same is true with grandpas. A grandpa has a unique position, unique connection and unique opportunity to impact. Churches are wise to engage the grandpas, so they focus on passing on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren.

What are you doing to engage the grandpas in your ministry?