Thinking About Tomorrow

May 1999

Dear Friends:

Many years ago, when both Focus on the Family and I were young, I attended a football game with a man who had consulted with many of the largest Christian ministries, which he proceeded to name. He was a cynical man who began telling me about the faults and failures of the men he had served.

"Yeah, I've met 'em all," he said, "and every one of them had two characteristics that I disliked. First, they were obsessed with themselves. Their work was all they were interested in, and if you didn't want to talk about what they were doing, you were not likely to have any conversation at all. Second, when they had passed their most productive years and their ministries were beginning to decline, they couldn't take it. They tried to grab and hold what was slipping away."

That conversation at the stadium has stayed with me all these years, even though I'm certain the man's criticisms were exaggerated. I've since met many of the Christian leaders he was describing and found most of them to be humble servants of God. Nevertheless, it is true that human beings are inclined to take themselves too seriously. Those who are most successful, whether in business, medicine, sports, the military or, yes, the ministry, sometimes become proud and egotistical. Likewise, letting go when life is winding down can be stressful for those who fail to understand that God is the sole possessor and the eventual dispossessor of us all.

The comments by the consultant made long ago led me to conclude that, whatever other mistakes I would make with the new ministry to which I felt called, I was determined not to stumble into the two pitfalls he had described. Others will have to judge how successful I have been in avoiding them. I still ask the Lord regularly to protect me from my own tendency toward self-sufficiency. As for the matter of "letting go" gracefully, I've been thinking for some time about how to accomplish that goal when I approach the final chapter in my professional life. In response, the board of directors has also begun working through some issues that must be confronted as we transition from the present structure to what some have called "the post-Dobson era" at Focus on the Family.

Please understand that I am not planning to retire in the near future, nor have I lost my energy or zeal for this ministry. I have never felt better, and in some ways, believe I am more productive and focused than ever. I get up every morning excited and enthusiastic to be doing what I am convinced is the Lord's work. Nevertheless, since 1989, we have been working on a "succession plan" that is intended to guide this ministry when the time comes for me to leave. Those discussions culminated in February, 1999, when the board passed the following resolution. I am sharing it today, not only for our supporters and friends who might be interested, but also for the leaders of other ministries and even for laymen who may be facing a time of transition. In a sense, the principles reflected here apply to us all!

PLAN OF SUCCESSION: Adopted by the Board of Directors, February 25, 1999

The prophet Isaiah wrote, "And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll" (Isaiah 34:4, KJV), and later "the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment" (Isaiah 51:6, KJV). These are some of the most interesting verses in all of Scripture, revealing what modern-day physicists have confirmed — that everything in the universe is running down, decaying and burning out. Engineers call this decaying process "entropy," which Sir Isaac Newton expressed in his second law of thermodynamics. Recent discoveries suggest that even the atoms themselves have a "life-cycle," eventually disintegrating into tiny bursts of energy. King David applied this temporary characteristic of nature to humankind when he wrote, "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him" (Psalm 103:15-17, KJV).

Alas, the rapid journey through life is experienced by us all, and before we know it, the time comes to lay down our responsibilities and pass them on to subsequent generations. Is this a depressing scene? No, because of the promise of a better life to come for those who are in Christ Jesus. It is the reason for the hope that lies within.

This impermanence of the human experience has implications for organizations such as Focus on the Family, which must, in time, deal with changes in leadership. Thus, for the past ten years, the Focus on the Family Board of Directors has been working with Dr. James Dobson and the Focus staff to develop a well-designed succession plan for implementation when Dr. Dobson either retires, reduces his involvement or is no longer physically able to lead the organization. Since his health appears very strong at present, it is his intention, in concurrence with the board, to continue in his current capacity for at least another decade. However, in the event of health problems or other unforeseen circumstances, the plan outlined in this report will be put into effect to identify Dr. Dobson's successor and his or her areas of responsibility.

Some of our friends and supporters have asked about the issue of succession and have wondered what would happen in the event of a sudden change in leadership. This is a vitally important issue that the board continues to ponder. Stewardship demands that we do everything we can to prepare for the future, and then leave the matter in God's hands. Indeed, we have made significant progress in developing the plan that is summarized below:

Identifying the Beliefs, Methods, and Traditions

Beginning with the creation of Focus on the Family in 1977, a philosophical foundation has been established that will continue to guide our future efforts. The first step in the board's succession plan has been to write down those established beliefs, methods and traditions for reference during a change in leadership. This extensive document was completed two years ago, and highlights are summarized below:

Mission Statement:

"To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and, specifically, to accomplish that objective by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family."

Essence Statement:

Focus on the Family exists to spread the Good News of Christ to those who do not know Him. Its approach is to "turn hearts towards home" by offering reasonable, biblical and empirical insights so that people will be able to discover the Creator of families and the principles He has established. As the culture continues its downward spiral, Focus is determined to stand strong against those who would redefine the family, abolish the institution of marriage, devalue human life or "normalize" ungodly forms of sexual expression.

Guiding Principles:

Five pillars have guided this ministry from the early days. They are: the pre-eminence of evangelism, the permanence of marriage, the value of bearing and raising children, the sanctity of human life, and the relationship between church, family, and government. These values guide every aspect of the day-by-day operation of the ministry — from its methods of fund-raising to the integrity and accuracy of each publication, resource or broadcast. As such, they reflect a faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to honor Him in every way.

Visible and Invisible Ministries:

Focus on the Family is expressed in two dimensions. The first is highly visible, including radio, television, films, books, magazines, video and audio tapes, the Internet, etc. As such, it currently reaches several hundred million people every day. But there is another effort underway that is, in many respects, more expensive and engaging than the first. It consists of what is known internally as "the invisible ministry." This refers to the one-on-one care given to all that come to us for assistance of various types. Our purpose is to turn a form of mass communication into a personal ministry where none is turned away. Every letter receives a response. Every question is answered. Every eight-year-old who scribbles a note is written in return. Every person who visits is treated as a friend. It is as though an imaginary sign were hung in front of our headquarters in Colorado Springs that reads, "We care about you in this place." This is the essence of our mission and why we call it a "ministry." It is a daunting challenge to meet the extremely varied needs conveyed to us within 250,000 letters and phone calls being received every month, and there are occasions when we fail or lack the resources to help. But we are determined to do our best to offer high-touch concern in a low-touch world, thereby representing the Personhood of Jesus Christ to all that seek our assistance. It is our prayer that this invisible ministry will not diminish as the transition to new leadership occurs.

Core Curriculum:

To understand the substance of Focus' message to families, a core curriculum has been developed, consisting of writings by Dr. Dobson and other resources produced by the ministry. Any designated successor must be thoroughly familiar with these teachings, which have been expressed since the inception of the ministry, and embrace them enthusiastically.

Competent Staff:

It is important to remember that while Dr. Dobson is the leader of this organization, he is certainly not a "one-man band." He is joined in that effort by nearly 1,300 dedicated individuals. Each of our 75 ministries and projects is led by highly skilled administrators, most of who have years of experience and training. Currently, there are thirteen vice presidents and three executive vice presidents who help shoulder the load. Because of this cadre of leaders, Dr. Dobson's departure should not destabilize the organization. Although he provides general leadership for the entire ministry, he is involved in the day by day functioning of only about ten departments. The others, such as "Adventures in Odyssey," "Family News in Focus,"" Life on the Edge" or the Focus on the Family Institute, could continue with little disruption in the event of Dr. Dobson's sudden passing. It is very important that this concept be understood. What began as an expression of one man's desire to serve families in 1977 has now become a well-oiled machine integrating the work and talents of many gifted individuals.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Will Focus on the Family continue to be effective in the post-Dobson era? It is certainly prepared to do so. Only two questions remain: First, will God's ordination continue in days to come? And second, will His people continue to support the work? It is our belief that the answer to both questions is yes!

Choosing Future Leaders

Dr. Dobson has held two primary responsibilities since the ministry began in 1977. They are the chief executive officer role and the chief articulator of the spoken and written word. Since it will not be necessary for a successor to handle both of these assignments, it is likely that they will be divided in the post-Dobson era. It is assumed that the CEO role will be the easier position to fill by acquiring an experienced executive with a craft honed in the business world. By contrast, the creative and teaching responsibility promises to be more challenging. Here are the necessary requirements for a person being considered for this second assignment:

• Genuine, mature relationship with Jesus Christ and purity in personal life
• Earned Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent in a division of the "helping" sciences (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, medicine, child development, marriage-family and/or child counseling)
• Highly developed ability to communicate and inspire through both the spoken and written word
• Firm dedication to family relationships, accompanied by a sincere love for people and a ceaseless compassion for those in need
• Thorough knowledge of the Bible, particularly as it relates to family life and human relationships
• Conservative views regarding Scripture, morals and culture
• A pleasing radio voice and skill as an interviewer
• A strong marriage with no lapses in moral behavior
• Potential to serve as a moral and spiritual leader in the nation

Though we do not yet have a need for a successor with these unique talents, it is fitting that we consider the time when a transition becomes necessary. The ideal scenario would be to find the candidate within the next three years and then start scheduling that person for occasional guest appearances on the "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast. If our listeners respond favorably and if God so leads, he or she could gradually accept more responsibility in the studio. It might even be appropriate in the interim to develop a new radio program to accommodate the skills and personality of the likely successor, while serving under the tutelage of Dr. Dobson. The importance of steadfast prayer cannot be overstated as we seek God's direction in this search for future leadership.

Summary

We hope this statement has been enlightening. Once again, stewardship demands that we do everything possible to prepare for the challenges to come, and we are working diligently to accomplish that. But in a larger sense, we are merely place holders in His scheme of things. We can never forget that Focus on the Family has always belonged to God, and He will carry us through the unforeseen circumstances of future years. In the meantime, we will earnestly seek the Lord's direction each day, always remembering His faithfulness that transformed a small two-office organization into a ministry that literally circles the globe.

Above all, we will stand firm in our "Campaign for Righteousness," recognizing that we are living in a post-Christian culture that is being ravaged by moral relativism. Repentance and revival are the only sure answers to the present ills plaguing our families. From that understanding came a policy adopted by the board in May 1996, calling for a greater emphasis on spiritual principles throughout the ministry. That policy is stated as follows:

"The Campaign to which we are called is as straightforward as the Gospel itself. Our goals are: to bring people to Christ who have never understood Him; to deepen the walk of those who have been nominal believers; to clearly introduce the doctrines of His Lordship, sin, repentance, forgiveness, and justification by faith to those who don't know God or those who only know Him as "Friend" and Creator; to point everyone to the resurrection and to judgment in the next world; to encourage young people and their parents to live by His standard of holiness and obedience to the Lord; to encourage intensive scriptural study and application of His word to all areas of life; to motivate the people of God to practical action in their communities and our nation in defense of righteousness; and to inspire those who are working at Focus to love one another in a way that is pleasing to Him and displays to all the love of Christ. Let this mission burn within the hearts of every member of the Focus on the Family staff, and let it take root in each department, program, magazine, and broadcast of this ministry."

Please pray with us as we attempt to discharge our duties in this important responsibility, especially as we approach the time of transition to come.

In unanimous agreement, passed by the Focus on the Family Board of Directors, February 25, 1999:

Dr. James C. Dobson
Mr. Bobb Biehl
Lt. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana (USAF Ret.)
Mrs. Shirley M. Dobson
Mr. Lee Eaton
Dr. Ted Engstrom
Mr. Robert E. Hamby, Jr.
Mr. Don P. Hodel
Mrs. Kay Coles James
Mrs. Elsa D. Prince
Dr. Michael F. Roberts
Dr. Adrian Rogers
Mr. Anthony Wauterlek

A Final Thought

I don't make a habit of addressing this monthly letter to personal and "insider" matters in this monthly letter, but I felt that many of my regular readers would want to know about the "succession plan" and its implications for the future of this ministry. This discussion is not threatening to me at all, and, in fact, I am reassured by the decisions that have been made. I hope the Lord will give me another decade to serve Him in my present capacity, but if He calls me tomorrow, I know I've done everything possible to assure the continuation of the organization He has ordained and blessed. As mentioned at the conclusion of the resolution, we ask you to pray with us about our search for the right person or persons to shoulder the load when the time comes for a change.

I would also appreciate your dropping us a note or making a call in response to the information I've shared today. It is not too late to modify our plan, and we'd like to know your ideas and suggestions. Furthermore, we have not heard from some of you in a while, and it's always good to have you stay in touch. This ministry is a conversation, not a monologue. It functions best when we are guided by our friends' participation and encouragement. Without it, our work becomes a performance rather than a vital interaction.

Let me close by saying that these are very exciting and challenging days for us here at Focus on the Family. Many people are coming to Christ through the influence of our various programs. And the concepts we espouse are being broadcast or published in 95 countries around the world. There is electricity and energy throughout the ministry that can be felt even by newcomers to our campus. Likewise, there has never been such a critical need for an outreach of this nature — one that offers personal services and support to individual families while also working to defend righteousness in the culture. I believe Focus on the Family is meeting those responsibilities as well as any organization in existence. But forgive me — I suppose my biases are showing a bit!

May I suggest that you tuck in a gift of any amount to support this work when you contact us? That would be very encouraging to us as we enter the time of year when contributions typically fail to cover expenses. Thank you for remembering this cause.

As for the circumstances in your own life, remember that our heavenly Father is the sole possessor and the eventual dispossessor of us all. If we keep that truth before us, we will avoid the pitfalls of self-possession and pride.

Blessings to you all.

Sincerely,

James C. Dobson, Ph.D.
President

P.S. Here's an idea you might want to consider: There are two weekend events scheduled in our area this summer. The first is a "Life on the Edge" seminar for parents and teens, to be held in Colorado Springs on July 16-17. The second is a "Renewing the Heart" event designed specifically for women, scheduled for July 31 in Denver. Why not plan to attend one of these programs, and then come by and visit Focus on the Family. We'd love to show you around and introduce you to the ministry! Give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY for more information.