Dobson shifts focus

By Carson Pue  |  Special to ChristianWeek

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Several years ago, prominent Christian ministry leader James Dobson announced that he was stepping aside to make place for new leadership at Focus on the Family The founder leader saw the wisdom of turning over the reins to a new leadership team. Many leaders do not.

So, in 2003 Dobson stepped down as president of Focus on the Family—a ministry he founded 33 years earlier. He continued as chair of the board, and in 2005 Focus appointed Jim Daly as the new president. Focus on the Family is known throughout the world, in large part because of its extensive radio ministry which shares wisdom about marriage, child-rearing, family finances, medical and psychological concerns, national issues, the sanctity of human life and the gospel.

In 2005 I visited the U.S. headquarters in Colorado Springs with a cohort of Canadian executive leaders. We met with Jim Daly and an impressive leadership team, along with Bobb Biehl, a founding member of the Focus board. We talked about leadership challenges for organizations, and how Focus was demonstrating a healthy model of leadership transition.

But on December 28, 2009, Dobson announced that he and his 39-year-old son Ryan are starting a new radio broadcast ministry. In his Facebook statement Dobson wrote: "This is the first announcement of a brand new 30-minute daily radio program to be carried on numerous stations, beginning in March, 2010. It is called JCDs Family Forum, and will be changed soon to James Dobson on the Family.

"The program," he continued, "will be much like what you have heard on Focus on the Family for the past 33 years. It will deal with marriage, child-rearing, family finances, medical and psychological concerns, national issues, the sanctity of human life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My son, Ryan Dobson, will co-host the program with me, which will be a exciting adventure."

Sad, not mad

Why is he doing this? This development occurs, ironically, just when a number of late night TV talk show hosts are jostling for a time slot. It is disturbing. When I heard the news I stopped to pray for Jim Daly and Terrence Ralston (Focus Canada), for I know that their leadership will be tested in the coming months and years as a result. A few years ago this would have made me downright angry. Instead I find myself hanging my head in a prayer motivated by deep sadness. The reason for my sadness is fourfold.

First, I know that Dobson and his son Ryan will be competing for dollars from Christian donors in a time when resources are scarce. Focus on the Family has already had to make budget cuts and curtail ministry. With 33 years of relationship as a broadcast personality, Dobson has a power to attract donors and his choice of names will cause donor confusion.

Second, having led a radio broadcast ministry in Canada, I realize it costs many dollars to purchase airtime. Perhaps the more important competition, however, takes place over radio time. There are not an infinite number of time slots available, and there are now more personalities and ministries on air today than 15 years ago when I was involved. I pray our airways are not filled simply by our ability to pay for the airtime.

Third, these significant transition moments teach something deep about who we are as leaders at our most insecure places. I am sad when we don't plan better for senior leaders during these times when we are aware of the challenges.

My fourth sadness as a developer of younger leaders is what this models for them. The New York Times quoted Paul D. Nelson, a board member with Focus and former chief operating officer. He said that he had seen many ministries survive the exit of their founders, but this situation with Dr. Dobson created a "big unknown."

One "big unknown" may be who owns the rights to the books, previous radio content and other publications Dobson wrote while working for and promoting through Focus. But that is a whole other story. Another is, can Dobson use the Focus donor list?

Only one in three biblical leaders finish well. This tells us it is hard.

Am I going to finish well? Are you?

Carson Pue is president of Arrow Leadership and author of Mentoring Leaders: Wisdom for Developing Character, Calling and Competency (BakerBooks, 2005).

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