Christianity Today
  • Who We Are
    • Our Ministry
    • Our Cause - Beautiful orthodoxy
    • Stories
    • How to Partner
  • What We Do
    • Christianity Today
    • CT News & Reporting
    • CT Pastors
    • CT Women
    • CT History
    • CT Books
    • Building Church Leaders
    • Church Law & Tax
    • Christian Bible Studies
    • Preaching Today
    • Small Groups
    • Women Leaders
  • Newsletters
  • Give Now
Explore
  • Who We Are
    • Our Ministry
    • Our Cause - Beautiful orthodoxy
    • Stories
    • Partner With Us
  • What We Do
    • Christianity Today
    • Building Church Leaders
    • Christian Bible Studies
    • Church Law & Tax
    • CT Pastors
    • Preaching Today
    • Small Groups
    • Women Leaders
    • Give by Check
  • Newsletters
  • Give Now
Christianity Today
Log in|Shop
  • Sections
    Christianity Today
    • Home
    • The Magazine
      December 2019
      • Current Issue
      • Issue Archives
      • Subscribe
      • Give a Gift
      • Donate
    • Special Sections
      • CT Pastors
      • News & Reporting
      • Women
      • History
      • Pivot
      • The Exchange
      • Podcasts
      • En Español
    • Topics
      • Theology & Spirituality
      • Church Life & Ministry
      • Politics & Current Affairs
      • Higher Education
      • Books
      • Science
      • Prayer
      • Abortion
      • Fatherhood
      • All Topics
    • Help & Info
      • Contact Us | FAQ
      • Customer Care
      • My Account
      • Site Map
      • Store
      • Free Newsletters
        FacebookTwitterChristianity Today RSS Feed
  • Our Latest
  • The Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Benefits
    • Give a Gift
    December
    December 2019
    Digital editions:*
    Standard PDF|Reader Friendly PDF
    *Included with your Print + Digital Subscription
    View Current Issue
    Issue Archives
    Vault
    Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. Subscribers receive full access to the archives.
    View Issue Archives
  • Subscribe
Related Topics:
  • James Dobson
  • International
  • Evangelicalism
  • United States
  • Parenting
Home > Topics

Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family was founded in 1977 by James Dobson, a psychologist, radio host, and author of Dare to Discipline, among many other books. Based in Colorado Springs, the ministry produces a daily radio broadcast, counseling, and other resources. Dobson transferred leadership over to president Jim Daly and (to the surprise of Focus’s employees) in 2012 went on to start his own radio ministry called Family Talk. Focus's budget, number of employees, and radio listeners have dropped since Dobson’s departure. In 2010, the organization purchased a 30-second ad featuring Tim Tebow during the Super Bowl, drawing attention to the organization’s new approach to social issues.

Featured Articles

  • Refocusing on the Family
    Cover Story
    Refocusing on the FamilySubscriber Access Only
    Like many evangelical organizations that were built in the past 50 years, Focus on the Family is attempting to thrive—and survive—past its founder.
    Sarah Pulliam Bailey|July 01, 2011
  • Daring to Discipline America
    Cover Story
    Daring to Discipline AmericaSubscriber Access Only
    James Dobson's influence, already huge, is growing. Can he keep his focus?
    Wendy Murray Zoba|March 01, 1999
  • Dobson's New Show
    Sidebar
    Family Talk, Family BusinessSubscriber Access Only
    Focus on the Family isn’t the only Colorado Springs organization preparing for its future after James Dobson.
    Sarah Pulliam Bailey|July 01, 2011
Filter By:
  • Latest
  • Popular
Free Newsletters
ctdirect-html,ctweekly-html,todayschristianwoman,booksandculture-html,gallireport
ctdirect-html,ctweekly-html,todayschristianwoman,booksandculture-html,gallireport
ctdirect-html,ctweekly-html,todayschristianwoman,booksandculture-html,gallireport
ctdirect-html,ctweekly-html,todayschristianwoman,booksandculture-html,gallireport
ctdirect-html,ctweekly-html,todayschristianwoman,booksandculture-html,gallireport
More Newsletters
Free Newsletters
Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox!
More Newsletters
  • Do Christians Focus Too Much on the Family?
    News
    Do Christians Focus Too Much on the Family?
    Pew survey finds that a minority of Americans, even within the church, put faith first.
    Kate Shellnutt|November 21, 2018
  • Died: Focus on the Family’s H. B. London, Who Inspired Pastor Appreciation
    Obituary
    Died: Focus on the Family’s H. B. London, Who Inspired Pastor Appreciation
    The popular “Pastor to Pastors” host passed away at 81 due to cancer.
    Kate Shellnutt|October 23, 2018
  • Are Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Women Any Closer to Finding Common Ground?
    Women
    Are Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Women Any Closer to Finding Common Ground?
    A year after the first Women’s March, politics continue to splinter the women’s movement.
    Kate Shellnutt|January 19, 2018
  • How to Counter the Economic Argument for Abortion
    Women
    How to Counter the Economic Argument for AbortionSubscriber Access Only
    To provide a persuasive alternative, the church must offer holistic, long-term support.
    Kelly Rosati|May 17, 2017
  • Who’s the Most Excited About Brio? Probably Moms
    Women
    Who’s the Most Excited About Brio? Probably MomsSubscriber Access Only
    We grew up on glossies. Our daughters want a different medium.
    Caryn Rivadeneira|May 10, 2017
  • Bleep Off: The Fight to Save Family-Friendly Movie Filtering
    Entertainment
    Bleep Off: The Fight to Save Family-Friendly Movie Filtering
    Hollywood studios sue VidAngel’s attempt to let viewers be ‘in the world but not of it.’
    Kate Shellnutt|January 05, 2017
  • Died: Gary Smalley, Author Who Helped Christians Make Love Last Forever
    News
    Died: Gary Smalley, Author Who Helped Christians Make Love Last ForeverSubscriber Access Only
    Speaker was one of Focus on the Family's favorite experts on marriage and relationships.
    Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra|March 08, 2016
  • Why Pastors Can't Spot Churchgoing Couples Headed for Divorce
    News
    Why Pastors Can't Spot Churchgoing Couples Headed for DivorceSubscriber Access Only
    Focus on the Family and LifeWay Research survey compares the happily and unhappily married.
    Lisa Cannon Green - Facts & Trends|October 29, 2015
  • Build Families Not Baby Boxes
    Women
    Build Families Not Baby BoxesSubscriber Access Only
    Adoption is far more complicated than a drop-off.
    Melanie Springer Mock, guest writer|March 17, 2015
  • Morning Roundup 12/30/14
    The Exchange
    Morning Roundup 12/30/14
    Christmas/Easter Christians; Focus on the Family Filmmaking; Urban Islands Project
    Ed Stetzer|December 30, 2014
  • Loading More...Loading More

Current Issue

December 2019
December
Subscribe
  • The First ChristianSubscriber access only
  • When Restoration HurtsSubscriber access only
  • God’s Mercy is More Robust Than We ThinkSubscriber access only
Read This Issue
Follow @ctmagazine
Christianity Today
  • Christianity Today:
  • Home
  • |
  • FAQ
  • |
  • Masthead
  • |
  • Donate
  • |
  • Site Map
  • |
  • Terms & Conditions
  • |
  • Privacy Policy
  • |
  • Contact Us
  • |
  • Subscriber Help
  • |
  • Advertise
  • |
  • En Español
  • |
  • International: 
  • CT Korea
  • |
  • Global Christianity
  • |
  • Log In

Sign up for our free Christianity Today Weekly newsletter: CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week.

Christianity Today
Give Today
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Stories
  • How to Partner
  • Careers
  • Media Room
  • Follow Us
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
Beautiful Orthodoxy
Christianity Today strengthens the church by richly communicating the breadth of the true, good, and beautiful gospel.
Learn more
© 2019 Christianity Today - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Back to top

Unlock This Article for a Friend

To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below.

Share This Article with a Friend

To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below.

close