Local church hosts national fatherhood summit

' West Michigan's first summit focused on Fatherhood takes place Friday. More than 30 speakers will take part in breakout sessions, sharing information on topics ranging from the Family Preservation and ...

[Neko]

More man bashing from the Church/Police state folks!

When will the "state" start putting some of the blame on women who use children as a source of income?

As a single father with custody...I am insulted by this "propaganda"!

How many West Michigan women with children by multiple fathers?

When will WZZM stop censoring the TRUTH?

The price of the admission is money well wasted!

[okeN]

Does anyone want to take a stab at guessing why ole Neko is single?

Time for your meds.....

[Redbaron]

This must be one of the organizations that doesn't realize that it takes two to make children. Neko speaks much wisdom.

[Ann from Michigan]

My husband and his brothers went to a "Focus on the Family" conference for FAR less than $25 or $20 a couple of years ago.

It shouldn't cost so much for men that really want to go. It severely limits who can go at all.

[JWilliams]

Last night on WZZM's 11PM newscast, they kept referring to the story about this rally coming up in the newscast, but by the time they finished the news, they decided to cut it and didn't provide any information at all. They did manage to, however, give us the story about coffee coming from cat doo-doo. Shows how the station feels about the significance of father's rights and the problems they face. Poor decision WZZM!!!

[Little T]

I went to the summit all the way from Tampa and was impressed by the support and encouragement for change. Our children deserve much better than any court or government agency can provide. Thanks to those that came from all over the United States, those that have sacrificed and those that have unconditional love to stand and do what's right for the sake of our children. Become the change that you want to see in the world!

[Stuart Showalter]

I find it interesting that the first responses to this story do not address the National Fatherhood Summit as it took place today. It appears these are the postings of those who have an agenda opposed to maintaining the family structure and providing stable nurturing environments that benefit the children.
Shame is upon all people in this community and the country that expect that a parent should even have to pay for their rights. It is more shameful that so many are willing to ignore the damage caused to children by this just so people can profit from it.
To those of you who would complain about the cost of the event prohibitng some from attending please make a contribution to help underwrite the event in the future. The church lost money on it this year.
This event should not be needed to begin with if the rights of parents and children were honored. Unfortunately, we still have people in this country who would deny people their rights based upon their race, religion, national origin or, as in this case, marital status. Sadly, the same outrage that is directed towards those who would seek to violate someone's rights based upon race is not extended towards those denied their rights based upon marital status.
Reverend Ron Smith should be commended and praised by your community for his effort to reduce the damage to your community's children inflicted upon it by the courts, vindictive parents, ignorance and parental apathy.

Stuart Showalter, Exec. Dir
Boone County Fathers
Lebanon, Indiana

[Ann from Michigan]

Stuart Showalter wrote:

I find it interesting that the first responses to this story do not address the National Fatherhood Summit as it took place today. It appears these are the postings of those who have an agenda opposed to maintaining the family structure and providing stable nurturing environments that benefit the children.
Shame is upon all people in this community and the country that expect that a parent should even have to pay for their rights. It is more shameful that so many are willing to ignore the damage caused to children by this just so people can profit from it.
To those of you who would complain about the cost of the event prohibitng some from attending please make a contribution to help underwrite the event in the future. The church lost money on it this year.
This event should not be needed to begin with if the rights of parents and children were honored. Unfortunately, we still have people in this country who would deny people their rights based upon their race, religion, national origin or, as in this case, marital status. Sadly, the same outrage that is directed towards those who would seek to violate someone's rights based upon race is not extended towards those denied their rights based upon marital status.
Reverend Ron Smith should be commended and praised by your community for his effort to reduce the damage to your community's children inflicted upon it by the courts, vindictive parents, ignorance and parental apathy.
Stuart Showalter, Exec. Dir
Boone County Fathers
Lebanon, Indiana

They probably lost money on it because they brought a national conference that costs alot of money to families in Michigan struggling to make it work. We just got through the holidays and now a conference for fathers? My husband felt guilty for not being able to go, he is a GREAT father, but with 2 daughters, he is always open to advice.

A father that doesn't know if they want to be there will definately not make the trip for $25 or $20, and that is a stretch even for a father "thinking about it".

Michigan is one of only 2 states who lost population and we lead the nation in forclosures. Seriously, if you wanted to have an effect on the dads around here, you should have held a free or reduced cost event for the local fathers that really want to be involved in their child(ren)s life.

So don't spout off about "my agenda" when one of your key statements was "we lost money this year"....

Welcome to Michigan! Most of us have lost money this year!

[Neko]

More church police/state Nazi responses and more "man bashing"....

Get a clue!

There needs to be a summit for women who view men as nothing but a source of income!

Blaming all men for the actions of a FEW insults us fathers who are responsible!

To me it is just another profit scheme by a fake "christian"

(Churches for profit or worried about making a profit are not doing the Lords work)

BTW...plenty of children out there fathered by other men call me dad. What a shame eh! At least they will be sucessful and not run the streets and the court systems like the kids who have nobody to call dad.

[Bob]

Does anyone know that you can get free help with single parenting? Male or female, it's out there. Any church will help you deal with being a single parent, wether they live with you or not. Any school will support a parent that works to make a single parent productive.

[Darrick Scott-Farnsworth]

Neko wrote:

More man bashing from the Church/Police state folks!
When will the "state" start putting some of the blame on women who use children as a source of income?
As a single father with custody...I am insulted by this "propaganda"!
How many West Michigan women with children by multiple fathers?
When will WZZM stop censoring the TRUTH? The price of the admission is money well wasted!

Neko and others you have this all backwards this summit was about raising up the value of fathers. Fathers are needed in the family as a unit and when parents are not together because children need a significant relationship with both parents. I was at the summit and the price was for breakfast and lunch and free material. Because the summit was held by groups with little money and are mostly made up of fathers and mothers who are not happy with being second class parents the fee was needed to cover costs.

[Darrick Scott-Farnsworth]

Ann from Michigan wrote:

<quoted text>
They probably lost money on it because they brought a national conference that costs alot of money to families in Michigan struggling to make it work. We just got through the holidays and now a conference for fathers? My husband felt guilty for not being able to go, he is a GREAT father, but with 2 daughters, he is always open to advice.
A father that doesn't know if they want to be there will definately not make the trip for $25 or $20, and that is a stretch even for a father "thinking about it".
Michigan is one of only 2 states who lost population and we lead the nation in forclosures. Seriously, if you wanted to have an effect on the dads around here, you should have held a free or reduced cost event for the local fathers that really want to be involved in their child(ren)s life.
So don't spout off about "my agenda" when one of your key statements was "we lost money this year"....
Welcome to Michigan! Most of us have lost money this year!

The poor fathers and mothers that you speak of our the ones that held the event to bring light to the need for political action towards equal child custody rights for all fit parents. Since nothing is ever free the money was needed for the costs of providing the event including meals. If you want to help join us in the fight by contacting all of your friends, family, church, community groups and lobby your state politicians for HB 4564 the Equal Parenting bill.

[Darrick Scott-Farnsworth]

Neko wrote:

More church police/state Nazi responses and more "man bashing"....
Get a clue!
There needs to be a summit for women who view men as nothing but a source of income!
Blaming all men for the actions of a FEW insults us fathers who are responsible!
To me it is just another profit scheme by a fake "christian"
(Churches for profit or worried about making a profit are not doing the Lords work)
BTW...plenty of children out there fathered by other men call me dad. What a shame eh! At least they will be sucessful and not run the streets and the court systems like the kids who have nobody to call dad.

Nobody profited from the event the money was used to pay for the costs of the event and why don't you poney up some funds to help us pay for more literature and advertisement? Visit www.daddyblogger.com or www.achildsright.net or just Google the subject and find something to do.

[Darrick Scott-Farnsworth]

Ann from Michigan wrote:

My husband and his brothers went to a "Focus on the Family" conference for FAR less than $25 or $20 a couple of years ago.
It shouldn't cost so much for men that really want to go. It severely limits who can go at all.

Focus on the Family has corporate backing with large sums of donations our grassroots groups that held the summit do not since we are the same folks as your husband and brother.

[Darrick Scott-Farnsworth]

Bob wrote:

Does anyone know that you can get free help with single parenting? Male or female, it's out there. Any church will help you deal with being a single parent, wether they live with you or not. Any school will support a parent that works to make a single parent productive.

Try contacting the other parent first and then try all of your childrens other family members 'cause raising children should be a family concern then church then community...

[Doug Dante]

If you couldn't make it to the summit, but would like some similar information FOR FREE, then here you go:

Join the Father's Rights Coalition yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRC/

Listen to Minister Ron Smith's Podcast
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast...

Visit Family Court Reports online:
http://familycourtreports.com/

[Minister Ronald Smith]

Just for clarification Ann, the Summit was a tremendous opportunity to be heard. The $20 actually help pay for both breakfast and lunch which was fantastic. Most family members had a chance to network during the meals and the information and breakout sessions and networking was outstanding. Most of us smoke or drink an occasional beer or even get the deposit from bottles and cans. This was a small price to pay for what we offered. AND IF YOU HAD CALLED ME, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LET HIM COME FOR FREE. It is very easy to sit in the armchair and criticize and not get in the game!!!!

[Minister Ronald Smith]

Neko wrote:

More church police/state Nazi responses and more "man bashing"....
Get a clue!
There needs to be a summit for women who view men as nothing but a source of income!
Blaming all men for the actions of a FEW insults us fathers who are responsible!
To me it is just another profit scheme by a fake "christian"
(Churches for profit or worried about making a profit are not doing the Lords work)
BTW...plenty of children out there fathered by other men call me dad. What a shame eh! At least they will be sucessful and not run the streets and the court systems like the kids who have nobody to call dad.

Neko it is unfortunate that your bitterness is so strong. DON"T GET MAD....GET INVOLVED

[Bessie Hudgins]

I just arrived back home in Georgia from attending this Summit.
I think a few of you have this all wrong. This Summit was not for the bashing of men or women, nor was it a fund raiser for the Church.
This Summit was a learning event, geared towards helping Fathers know they have a place and they should step up to the plate and care for their children. They should be there for them to guide and play with and love just as their Mothers should be.
This Summit was ALL about the roll of the Father in the family. It was a teaching day to help Fathers and their children and both sides of the child's family to know that the Father has a place in the family, just as the Mother as a place in the family.
If we could all look past our own problems with the ex or the ex's family and only think of the children, this Summit would not have been necessary.
Daddy you have a place in the family...you should not have to fight to retain or regain that place.

[BOB]

Darrick Scott-Farnsworth wrote:

<quoted text> Try contacting the other parent first and then try all of your childrens other family members 'cause raising children should be a family concern then church then community...

Please read Bessie's quote.Sometimes you can't go to the ex or other family members for good un-bias help. By going to your childs teacher you are reaching out to the person that spends the most waking hours with your child, or if they are in daycare go to that person. You can never have enough outlets. I beleive spiritual guidence for both Dad and Mom is a must.
You sound pretty angry, maybe that's why you are having struggles.