This past Friday, Focus On the Family sent out a press release announcing that Dr. James Dobson was going to be leaving the airwaves in February. He's been the host of the Focus On the Family radio program ever since he founded the organization in 1977. In all that time, he's never taken a salary. The 73-year-old Dr. Dobson had previously resigned from his positions as President and CEO so that Focus On the Family would be able to live on without him. Now he is stepping away from the popular radio talk show to ensure it too will continue.
When I read the news, I cried. I knew this day would be coming soon, but that didn't make it any easier. I've been listening to Dr. Dobson my whole life. (I got to that sentence and teared up again.) I still listen to him almost every day. I've never had a close grandfather figure in my life. Dr. Dobson has been like my grandpa. His advice and sound teaching -- through his books, talks, and over the airwaves -- have been invaluable to me. And I know he's touched millions over the course of his illustrious career. He has changed lives in a powerful way for the kingdom. I'm one of them.
I am a Focus On the Family baby. My parents raised me according to the advice given through Focus, and I have listened intently to that information as well. I grew up a huge fan of
Adventures In Odyssey, McGee & Me, The Last Chance Detectives, and now as an adult listening to Focus On the Family. When the day comes for me to be a husband and a father, I know the things I have learned from that ministry will be a helpful guide.
I've done some things in the past with Dr. Dobson's son, Ryan. We've been on two tours together in the midwest -- with him speaking and my band providing the music. Ryan is one of the most awesome people I've had the chance to "hang" with. We even went bowling together! But Dr. Dobson himself I've never met. I hope some day I'll be able to meet him. But hey, if not in this life, I know I'll be able to meet him on the other side of Heaven's gates.
Dr. Dobson will continue to record new broadcasts of Focus On the Family up to February. I imagine doctors Jim Daly and Julianna Slattery will take over as hosts at that point, along with co-host John Fuller. And Dr. Dobson will still make appearances, I'm sure. He's also not using the word "retirement" to describe his next venture. He will still continue to make his voice heard in the public square.
But for me, it's still going to feel like I'm moving away from a close family member to not be able to hear him almost every day like I have my whole life. Dr. Dobson, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for what you've given me and the million others like me. We are a generation who have been influenced by your teaching and by the wisdom God has given you. Of course, no wisdom has been more important to me than what I've received from my mom and dad, but even they would give you credit for the advice they've received on how to be good parents.
God bless you on your continued mission for Jesus Christ, no matter where He's leading you next. You've been a hero of the faith to us all.
2 Timothy 1:13 "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."
True 
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Comments (71)
Well I don't wish him ill (as he does to too many people) however I strongly disaprove of his organization and believe that rather than supporting family development it's hurt far more people than it's helped.
Further I strongly disagree with how the organization has draged Christ's name through the mud and put huge obsticles in the way of many people from accepting him. And most importantly of all I dis aprove of their attempts to turn Christianity into an arm of the Republican party.
Again I don't wish him ill, and I hope he has a good retirnment, further I pray that he may one day rid his heart of the hatred he has of young girls, homosexuals, socialists, and many others he's preached hatred of.
@nidan@xanga - i wholeheartedly agree
He does not need to be in charge of anything representing Christianity. Maybe FOF will now dissipate completely.
Good ridance.
God haters and idiots are like grains of sand on the beach. But great men like Dr. Dobson are rare and exquisite jewels.
Fair well, Dr. Dobson.
Wow - such hateful comments here! Boy, if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all - didn't your parents teach you that???
To the OP -- I agree. He will be missed. He has done so much for the furtherance of the family according to God's Word. I'm a strong supporter of FOTF, and also listen to the broadcasts when I can. Actually last night I heard the tail end of a program featuring Ryan Dobson - speaking about moral truth, right versus wrong and relativity. What a gifted young man he is too!! Maybe he'll follow in his father's footsteps ........
yeah, not at all sad to see this guy go. FOF is proof that mixing religion and politics does damage to both.
"Evangelicalism getting wedded to any political party is like ice cream
mixing with horse manure. It's not going to hurt the horse manure, but
it sure will mess up the ice cream." -Jim Wallis
@tendollar4ways@xanga - @foxes_have_holes@xanga - @nidan@xanga - Huh...you guys are all crazy. If you don't like Focus on the Family's form of teaching...what do you adhere to? The sex-education that you get in schools today.? Why don't we complain about them for a while...all they teach you is sex doesn't have any consequence at all as long as you wear a condom.
I think FotF is the at the least the lesser of two evils...no matter what FotF does, it will cop some flak on its opinions.
As far as i'm concerned, focus on the family has saved many a family. I grew up with FotF in my family. It's probably my parents greatest influence in growing up my brother and sister and me.
I was an FOTF baby too. I grew up listening to Adventures in Odyssey and I LOVED McGee and Me. My parents have lots of his books (so do my husband and I). Although I don't agree with him on all his religious views, I think he has done a world of good overall! I've never once heard him preach hatred...just truth. Although, if someone is living a lifestyle that the bible clearly disapproves of, I can see how a hardened heart would view a message of truth as hatred.
Farewell, he will be missed!
@llamalima@xanga - it has also destroyed a lot of families by teaching a message of hate and intolerance.
@XxFireXboltxX@xanga - the Bible says nothing of a lifestyle, only an act. and it is always listed amongst other acts.
@llamalima@xanga - // If you don't like Focus on the Family's
form of teaching...what do you adhere to? The sex-education that you
get in schools today.?//
False dichotomies are bad for your sexual health, too.
//I think FotF is the at the least the lesser of two evils...no matter what FotF does, it will cop some flak on its opinions.//
FotF is in the minority. Maybe not so much here in the States, but compared to other Churches that deal with that subject matter, well...
@llamalima@xanga - Well I can see you growed up real smart.
This is the first I've heard of his leaving =\
But I was also raised with Focus on the Family, and it's taught me some great things. He will be missed.
Good post.
I liked McGee and Me.
Erm, yeah, that's all.
@nidan@xanga - I agree.
while all people have thier flaws, i believe Dr. Dobson provided some much needed guidence through Focus on the Family. i agree that some of his zeal for the Kingdom of God came across as hateful, but if you look at the underlying passion that is the source of his sometimes over the top indignation, it is a little easier to understand why he said some of the things he did. sometimes tough love comes across as hate, but that doesn't mean that's what it is. besides, people these days are too easily offended, and the whole concept of tollerance has been blown WAY out of proportion. we are to love people, but not "tollerate" sin. and we are not to "judge" others, but if we love someone who has obviously lost their way, our love calls us to try to lead them back to the path. but we can't force them; we just show them the way (by our own life) and it's up to them whether or not to follow.
all that said, i am sad to see Dr. Dobson go, and i pray that God will replace the good doctor with someone who will be open to the leading of the Spirit of God and be a blessing to the listeners of FotF.
@foxes_have_holes@xanga - I find the quote from Jim Wallis somewhat ironic, even though I don't entirely disagree with it. Evangelicals have made a mistake by identifying too closely and undiscerningly with conservative politics and the Republican party. However, Sojourners have done the same thing with any number of other causes.
@XxFireXboltxX@xanga - Thanks for being the first person on the page to spell 'farewell' properly.
I've always admired Dobson. His advice on family-related matters has always been sound, from what I have seen. I'm curious as to what specific families he has "destroyed" (as some of the above commenters have remarked). I know of many, many families (including mine) that have been blessed by his teaching and guest speakers and the books and videos and tapes and other resources that Focus has published.
I didn't always agree with everything he said but he was a very sweet man and I always enjoyed his simply practical wisdom.
@llamalima@xanga - it's not the school's job to teach or enforce morality... that's why parents exist. the school's only concern is for offering information. i learned about the biology of sex through school... it's my parents who taught me my morals, not teachers or some random guy on the radio.
I don't really know anything about him, but he doesn't sound all that bad. I think there are people who will just look for a way to hate someone whenever they can. They are all for their freedom of speech, but not so much when it comes to someone with whom they disagree.
@llamalima@xanga - Ignore the imbeciles.
I don't wish him ill, but I'm glad to see him step down.
His voice and energy moved from encouraging families to preaching far right-wing politics.
I pray him a peaceful and silent retirement. Perhaps he'll get back to his original calling.
@foxes_have_holes@xanga - trying to figure out when they preached a message of hate and intolerance and how it broke up families. Were you listening to the same Focus on the Family I was. Did you actually ever listen to Dobson speak? Just wondering. Any examples?
@bentbrokenandtorn@xanga - actually the "Judge not lest ye be judged" speaks of judging whether or not a person is right with God. In several places in scripture we are told to judge the actions of people to determine whether or not they speak the truth.