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February 26, 2010
Dobson Says Goodbye (for Now)
Today is his last broadcast of Focus on the Family. But he'll be back on the air soon.
After 33 years at Focus on the Family, James Dobson signs off today. This is the final stage of transition for the founder of the organization. Dobson had already stepped down as president of the organization in 2003 and as chairman of the board last year. Focus announced the decision for Dobson to step down last October. Today was his last day as host of the Focus on the Family program.
Speaking to the one million plus listeners, Dobson said, "I love you, and that will not change. And I'm going from here to another responsibility. And please continue to pray for us."
Many listeners returned the sentiment. Over the past two weeks, Focus collected over forty-thousand cards thanking Dobson for his years of service.
Dobson's final broadcast was a chance for him to say good-bye and to receive well-wishes from the Focus leadership. On Monday, Focus on the Family will air a special chapel service where Dobson will say farewell to the minstry's employees.
In addition to the many goodbyes, Friday's broadcast also discussed the details of Dobson's new ministry. Family Talk, like Focus on the Family, will be based in Colorado Springs and will feature a new radio show focusing on family issues and public policy. Dobson will share the hosting microphone with his son, Ryan, and Focus radio producer LuAnn Crane.
Both Dobson and Focus leaders emphasized that the ministry will not be competition with Focus on the Family and noted that Focus on the Family gave Family Talk one million dollars to get it off the ground.
"We will try to cover the bases in a little different way," said Dobson. "How silly to think that one organization is going to meet of the whole country. That's crazy. It's like, well you've got a church on one corner so you don't need another church. That--I don't like the way that sounds because there's plenty of work for all of us to do. And we're not going to be very far from here, and I hope we can work in partnership."
Dobson is also scheduled to release a book, Bringing Up Girls, in April.
Comments
I would say it is more like having two church across the street. One called First Baptist of Sometown and the other called Sometown First Baptist.
Posted By: Adam Shields | February 26, 2010 11:04 AM
The question that weighs heavily on my mind is how Focus on the Family will do without Dobson at the helm.
Posted By: Basil | February 26, 2010 11:28 AM
"How silly to think that one organization is going to meet of the whole country. That's crazy." Not only is it crazy, it's not even a sentence. Who writes this stuff?
Posted By: Dave N. | February 26, 2010 8:01 PM
Actually, believe it or not, it is a full sentence. Also, Basil, I wonder about that, myself.
Posted By: cybereagle777 | February 26, 2010 8:59 PM
I just saw the "of." You're right. That isn't a full sentence. I stand (actually sit) corrected.
Posted By: cybereagle777 | February 26, 2010 10:10 PM
Dobson is not completing some transition started "over ten years ago" as the CEO of Focus On The Family Jim Daly says. Doctor Dobson stepped down as chairman of the board in February 2009 when he announced he would continue writing the monthly Focus newsletter and doing the daily radio show. Then in a boardroom coup in August, Daly forced him out of the very ministry he founded. Jim Daly will rue the day he did that. And so will every member of the Focus On The Family board.
Posted By: Inga | February 27, 2010 5:50 AM
May God bless Dr. James & Shirley Dobson for the many years they have dedicated to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to stengthening the family!
Posted By: Deborah Solomon | February 27, 2010 10:42 PM
The comment that caught my eye is FOF gave Dobson a million as start-up money. I thought these were tough days for ministries, but apparently not.
Posted By: JM | March 1, 2010 4:00 PM
I'm very thankful for the Dobson's. It was the FOF ministry that opened my eyes over 32 years ago to the dynamics of Christ in the family. That included my responsibility to teach my own children about Christ, His love, His help in many family situations. It is still one of my resources, but no means the only one.
So, I think it is great to have another family ministry. The family institution is challanged & attacked in many different ways, so I for one am sure the new ministry won't be that redundant of the FOF. Dr. Dobson has a lot to offer still. It's going to be interesting to see the whole family being in the ministry together as well. Different perspectives & variety are needed in Christian ministries as long as they are true to Biblical teachings & Christ's Lordship. Christ is the way, truth & life. I can trust Dr. Dr. Dobson to adhere to God's Truth.
Posted By: Kathy Lavender | March 1, 2010 5:01 PM
Isn't Mr Dobson kind of distancing himself from the Focus on the Family infrastructure, because he is a major catalyst in getting control of the infrastructure of the Republican Party along with Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, with the aid of Fox News ? In other words he is promoting a peculiarly american style of taliban government with a christian veneer.Christianity is getting a bad name from so many different fronts! Do we need another one to drag us down even further?.
Posted By: albieon | March 2, 2010 2:10 PM
Sorry to say, Dobson outstayed his usefulness at the helm of Focus. His recent years saw him promote an offensive brand of Christianity, more legalism and partisan politics than faith, truth, and love. Sorry to say, I'm glad to see him off the air.
Posted By: Anonymous | March 3, 2010 12:07 AM
(In response to Anonymous) True Christianity will be offensive because the message of the gospel is foolish to those who are perishing. Jesus offended people everywhere he went even when he spoke the truth in love. Dobson has consistently acted according to his convictions and he should be commended. Christians have a duty to influence politics towards God honoring laws and precepts.
Posted By: Brett Carroll | March 6, 2010 11:09 PM
I'm very thankful for the Dobson's. It was the FOF ministry that opened my eyes over 32 years ago to the dynamics of Christ in the family.
Posted By: bakire | December 20, 2010 8:14 AM
I thank God for James Dobson and his work at Focus on the Family, and wish him the best at Family Talk. He is a man of God who has and speaks from a Christian World View and yes, that Biblical World View will be offensive to non-believers and/or luke-warm Christians. Wish to God we had more leaders like James.
Posted By: Sherial Lawson | December 6, 2011 5:39 PM