Leading Like Christ—A Father’s Highest Calling
Before we begin…
Fatherhood is the most personal form of leadership. You are shaping a life (s) and even though you might not see the results right away—the seeds you plant—love, discipline, trust—will grow over time.
Let’s Talk Leadership!
You may have heard…“Kids don’t always listen to what you say, but they always watch what you do.” As a father— just like in leadership, you model values, set the tone, and influence through your actions more than your words. You have a clear vision, whether it’s raising kind, resilient kids, or creating a safe and supportive home.
What “Does Being the Priest of Your Family” Mean?
When people say a father is “the priest of the family,” they mean he:
Leads spiritually
Covers his family in prayer
Teaches and models faith
Creates a God-centered home
The Bible sees fatherhood as spiritual leadership. Just like Jesus, “it’s influence is eternal, humble, and loving.” It has a nurturing and faithful presence.
There are many direct teachings or powerful examples in the Bible. For example:
Father’s Reflect God’s Character
God is often described as Our Father. Likewise, the fathers on earth are meant to reflect His love, justice, compassion and faithfulness. —Psalm 103:13
Fathers Are Called to Teach
One of the biggest responsibilities of a father in Scripture is to teach their children about God and his ways. —Ephesians: 6:4 and —Deuteronomy 6:7
Discipline with Love
Discipline in the Bible is tied to love—not control or punishment. It’s about guiding and shaping a child’s heart. —Proverbs 3:12, —Proverbs 13:24
Biblical fatherhood involves presence. King David for instance, was a man after God’s heart, but he struggled as a father when he wasn’t emotionally present (look at Absalom’s story).
Legacy of Faith
A father’s faith can impact generations. Think of Abraham—God chose him to be a father of many nations, because he would pass on God’s ways to his children. —Genesis 18:1
Being the priest of the home means:
Taking initiative in spiritual matters
Praying over your spouse and kids
Leading by example—in worship, scripture, and how you handle challenges
Creating spiritual routine in the home (prayer time, Bible reading, church involvement)
Being present emotionally and spiritually
A Tribute to My Father
Like mom, my father was also raised in political uncertainty in the late 40’s (Jalisco, MX). He told stories of how he helped move bodies of those who died in battle— too heavy for a 10-year old boy to place in trenches. Having lost his father at the age of 8 he began cleaning and sweeping at a car shop, and although he worked only for tips, hanging around that shop payed off. At a very young age, he learned to be a mechanic and a welder, two skills that enabled him to support us throughout our life.
Dad was very intelligent. He was clever. Without schooling, he wrote plenty of poetry, for every occasion— birthdays, new year’s day, losses etc. He did many side jobs, and knew a lot of math. He measured, cut, and welded iron windows and other things to sell. He taught me to read road maps using the legend and my thumb, when I was about seven! I remember he would have me calculate the distance to Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana—he would go anywhere he could find work! He was always doing— always teaching. And even if he never had reliable transportation, he was always able to fix old cars to get around.
My dad was a planner. Every night he organized his tasks for the following day. He did that to “use his time wisely.” as he used to say. To him, it was all about efficiency. Yet, even though he worked long hours, he and mom never missed a parent’s night at school. I think it was his way of letting us know the importance of school.
My father took his priestly role seriously. He taught us about God at a very young age. I must’ve been about six when I learned how to pray The Father’s prayer, The Holy Rosary and The Creed. He also told us biblical stories. The Fall of Babylon, David and the Giant, the meaning of the sign on Jesus’s cross, etc…remarkably, he knew most of the mass in Latin!
My clearest memory of dad is— him praying over us every morning before going to work. He would do the sign of the cross on himself and do the sign of the cross on each of us. He would then leave to work whistling or singing most of the time.
After dinner—was family time. We would often play toma-todo or Loteria at the kitchen table, or he would sit outside with mom, watching us play with the neighborhood kids.
Through his modeling, I learned responsibility and accountability since I was very little. And like with mom, I thought he was harsh at times. But growing up, I understood it was for my own good. His teachings and actions shaped my life and made me who I am today, I’ll always be grateful for everything he taught me —I’ll always thank God for my father.
Leadership at Home
Just like in leadership, fathers model values, set the tone, and influence through actions more than words.
Vision and Purpose
Great dads, like great leaders have a clear vision. Vision gives fatherhood intention, not just routine.
Emotional Intelligence
Being a father demands a high EQ. Just like in leadership, fathers read the room (or child), manage emotions, and respond—not react. It’s less about control, more about connection.
Servant Leadership
Many leadership theories—especially Servant Leadership—mirror good parenting— serving others, empowering them, and helping them grow. That’s what dads do every day.
Long-Term Impact
A leader’s legacy is measured by the people they develop. Same with fathers. They might not see the results right away but by nurturing the planted seeds they will see results grow over time.
Have a good weekend!
—Dr. Aguilar
