Purpose
Want to be more intentional in the way you approach being a dad? Want to have the chance to get to know some other dads? Want to be exposed to different ideas about parenthood and have the chance to discuss them? How do you make all these things happen in one magical place? Dads Group — now with bacon!
When is the Next Group and What's the Topic?
See Upcoming Dates below and click on an individual event for a longer description of the topic for that date (if available).
Also, sign up to receive emails and/or text about Dads Group to get more information and reminders delivered directly to you.
Who's leading this group?
I'm Malcolm Smith. I’m currently serving as Assistant Pastor of Bryn Athyn Church. I’m a dad of four kids, ages 10-16. I have really enjoyed and benefitted from participating in and running various programs on parenting. We got Dads Group going here in Bryn Athyn in 2023 and I'm excited to keep going with it. Email me at malcolm.smith@brynathynchurch.org.
Who is this for?
Dads—new dads still trying to figure out how to change a diaper, dads of teenagers, grandads trying to figure out how to be a positive role in the lives of their grandchildren and grown-up children, and even not-yet-dads who’d like to come.
We will be approaching the topic of parenting from a religious perspective—particularly a New Church Christian perspective. Any dad is invited to participate, as long as you are not antagonistic to that perspective.
Format
This will be in a discussion group format. We will have brief check-ins at the beginning, as a way to get to know each other’s names. I will be there as a facilitator not as an expert. We will end each time with giving each person a chance to share a closing thought and then we will pray together. We will stick to an hour and a half for the more formal group time with more time afterwards to talk and hang out informally for those that want to stick around.
In the middle, we will do one of two things: 1) have a discussion of a topic, or 2) check-in about how being a dad is going.
1) Topic Discussions
When it's a topic discussion we might read and discuss an article on parenting; we might do some Bible study; we might watch some videos on parenting and discuss what comes up in them; we might have some guest speakers on different topics. Past topics include setting boundaries, what content we expose our kids to, how to have fun with your kids, storytelling, and learning how to be a better father from our Heavenly Father.
2) Dad Check-ins
When it's a check-in about being a dad, each person will pick a question to respond to from long list of prompts (e.g. "What are you working on as a dad right now?" "What is something bizarre or hilarious that your kid said or did recently?" "What is something you're praying about as a dad?") and we'll have a conversation from there. Often, to improve as dads, we don't need to learn something new so much as we need to find the clarity and motivation to do what we already know we should be doing.
View the full list of Dads Group Discussion Prompts (PDF).
Food: Breakfast Now on Offer
We will now be cooking breakfast as part of Dads Group! We will provide coffee, eggs, bacon, and toast. If you'd like to bring something else to supplement (fruit, hot sauce, bagels, etc.), please do so. If you'd like to help with cooking on a particular date, please let Malcolm know. If you'd like to contribute to the cost of the food, bring a few bucks to put in the donation bowl, or donate online.
Timing & Location
Dads Group in 2026/2027 will be Wednesday mornings from 6:45-8:15 am, every few weeks (see Upcoming Dates). If you can only make it by 7:15, still come. If you have to leave at 7:55, still come. If you can only make it to 2 Dads Groups in the year, still come.
The new location for Dads Group is the kitchen in the Church Office at 600 Tomlinson Rd. Please park in the upper lot by the BACS sports fields (to avoid causing challenges for teachers and parents) and walk down the sidewalk to the back door of the kitchen (door #34).
Upcoming Dates
What do I need from you?
- Come try it out.
- Invite other people who might benefit from being part of this group.
- Sign up to help with breakfast.
- Work on being a good dad.