Everyone Needs A Father, So Who Wants To Be One CROWD Church Livestream podcast

How many podcasts have you listened to this week? How many experts have told you how to live? We're drowning in guides. And yet somehow, we've never felt more lost.

In this honest conversation, Matt Edmundson explores Paul's observation to the Corinthian church that feels uncomfortably relevant today: "You have countless guides in Christ, but you do not have many fathers." Not more content. Not more opinions. More dads.

Matt shares his own story of spiritual fatherhood with Dave Connolly, including a fork-in-the-road conversation in 1995 that changed everything. Plus, the beautiful moment of walking his spiritual daughter Jen down the aisle at her wedding.

[03:00] The Problem with Information Overload

Research shows that beyond a certain point, more information actually makes our decisions worse. Psychologists call it "analysis paralysis." We have access to more wisdom than any generation in history, and yet...

"None of them know my name. They're not invested in my life. They won't be there when the advice doesn't work out. They offer influence without investment."

What we explore:

Why information overload is a major source of stress
The difference between guides and fathers
What Paul meant by "countless guides"

Key takeaway: We don't need more opinions. We need more dads.

[11:00] What Makes Spiritual Fatherhood Different

Matt shares a quote that captures the essence: "When my father died, I realised he was the only man on the planet who wanted me to be better than him."

"A therapist helps you become functional, then you graduate. A coach helps you reach your goal, then you move on. But a spiritual father? They walk with you for life."

What we explore:

Different goals: self-actualisation vs Christlikeness
Why permanency matters in discipleship
The power dynamic that Jesus subverts

Key takeaway: The goal isn't a better you. It's Christlikeness.

[15:00] Not Control, But Release

The idea of spiritual fathers has been weaponised in some church contexts. Matt addresses this directly and explains what healthy spiritual fatherhood looks like.

"A spiritual father isn't above you. They're ahead of you — walking a few steps in front on the same path. And their job is to help you catch up, not keep you behind."

What we explore:

Warning signs of controlling relationships
What "releasing" looks like practically
Dave Connolly's approach: "You can hear God just as well as I can"

Key takeaway: It doesn't matter what decision you make, they'll still be there. That's what makes it fathering and not controlling.

[27:00] Conversation Street

Does a spiritual father have to be older than you?

Not necessarily. It's about maturity and being further down the track in specific areas. Paul told Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth." Someone younger might be further ahead in a particular aspect of faith.

What about biological and spiritual fathers?

They don't have to be different people. But spiritual fathers can complement biological fathers beautifully. Will shared that his son now talks about someone as a spiritual father — and there's no competition. It's the beauty of God's bigger family.

How do we protect against spiritual control?

The warning signs: when you're not allowed to think for yourself, can't disagree, questioning gets you ostracised. A true spiritual father is releasing. They'll give their opinion but won't manipulate you with it.

Join the conversation at crowd.church

https://crowd.church/talks/everyone-needs-a-father-so-who-wants-to-be-one