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Helping churches help fathers
For churches

For churches

If you are interested in using Fathers Matter in your church, there are a number of steps you can take. 

We are looking forward to being part of your journey as you become part of the movement to restore the positive, active presence of men in children's lives.

How Heartlines can help

  • We can encourage leaders about the benefits of Fathers Matter in your church
  • We can provide training for leaders and congregants
  • We can help you spark conversations
  • We can help you roll out Fathers Matter in your church
  • We can provide ongoing support to you, your church and individual fathers through our Fathers Matter WhatsApp Coach

Contact a Fathers Matter rep in your area

HOW TO RUN FATHERS MATTER IN YOUR CHURCH

Step 1

Introduce Fathers Matter


Introduce Fathers Matter to your church leaders and invite them to a
Fathers Matter event that you run at your church. To do this, you can:

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Step 2

Train and equip your leaders

Heartlines can provide a regional rep to assist with the training. Contact our team to find out who is available in your area.


Step 3


Roll out Fathers Matter in your church


1. Read through the Fathers Matter Church booklet

2. Plan to show the films in your church or community.

You can do this with particular groups (youth, women, men, Bible study groups).

Or, you could create a larger event where you show the films. 

To help facilitate discussions after you have watched the films, we have film discussion guides available to download for free:

3. Decide what type of events you want to run

You could host a watch party, workshop, Father's Day event, hiking, family day, etc. See the Fathers Matter Church booklet for more ideas.

What's next?

1. Get support for ongoing change

The Fathers Matter Coach is a great way for fathers and men in your church to get regular advice and encouragement. To sign up, WhatsApp 'Hi' to 060 058 2107 or click here and message 'Hi'.

You can also sign up for the Fathers Matter newsletter at the bottom of this page to get monthly updates and insightful content about encouraging men to be active, positive and present in children's lives. 

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2. Run Fathers Matter Connect Groups

You might want to take conversations around positive fatherhood to your small group or connect group. Even if you don’t yet have a small group, our resources offer advice on how to start a connect group. Find out more about Fathers Matter Connect Groups here. 

3. Run Fathers Matter events in your church or community

The Fathers Matter Church booklet has lots of great ideas that you can use as inspiration to help encourage the positive, active presence of men in children's lives in your community.

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Browse all our Fathers Matter resources for churches

Fathers Matter Church Cover

Fathers Matter Church Booklet

The Fathers Matter Church Booklet gives and overview of how churches can partner with Heartlines to encourage the active, positive presence of men in children's lives. It also includes ideas for Fathers Matter events that can be run in churches and communities. 

Free Download
Read more about Fathers Matter Church Booklet
Heartlines Fathers Matter Films Youth Discussion Guide Cover

Films Discussion Guide for Christian Youth and Young Adults

This discussion guide has been designed for Christian youth and young adult small groups and includes questions and reflection actvities based on the Fathers Matter film series

Free Download
Read more about Films Discussion Guide for Christian Youth and Young Adults
Discussion Guide Cover

Films Discussion Guide for Churches

This discussion guide can be used to explore the themes of fatherhood in South Africa from the six Heartlines Fathers Matter Films.

Free Download
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FM Films Discussion Guide Zulu Cover

Isikhokhelo Sengxoxo KumaSonto

This isiZulu discussion guide can be used to explore the themes of fatherhood in South Africa from the six Heartlines Fathers Matter Films.

Free Download
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FM Films Discussion Guide Se Sotho Cover

Bukana ya Tataiso Dipuisanong Bakeng sa Dikereke

This Sesotho discussion guide can be used to explore the themes of fatherhood in South Africa from the six Heartlines Fathers Matter Films.

Free Download
Read more about Bukana ya Tataiso Dipuisanong Bakeng sa Dikereke
FM Films Discussion Guide Afrikaans Cover

Films Besprekingsgids Vir Kerke

This Afrikaans discussion guide can be used to explore the themes of fatherhood in South Africa from the six Heartlines Fathers Matter Films.

Free Download
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FM Group Connect Facilitators Toolkit Updated

Connect Group Facilitator's Toolkit

This Connect Group Facilitator's Toolkit has been designed to help guide anyone looking to start or run a Connect Group in their community. This course is currently in a testing phase and we'd appreciate your feedback if you use it.

Free Download
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FM Group Connect Module 1 Core Module

Christian Connect Group Core Module

This is the first module that a Fathers Matter Connect Group in a church or faith-based context should work through. It is designed to help start important conversations about fatherhood and is the foundation for all other modules. 

Free Download
Read more about Christian Connect Group Core Module
FM Group Connect Module 1 Core Module circular cover

Connect Group Core Module

This Connect Group Core Module is the first module that any Fathers Matter Connect Group should work through. It is designed to help start important conversations about fatherhood and is the foundation for all other modules. 

Free Download
Read more about Connect Group Core Module
Afrikaans Connect Group Facilitators Toolkit Cover

Connect Groep Fasiliteerder se Hulpbron

Hierdie hulpbron is ontwerp om fasiliteerders en leiers toe te rus om ‘n Fathers Matter Connect Groep te lei.

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