"You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many spiritual fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 4:15) 

The above passage of Scripture suggests that while we have a number of elder brothers and friends who may speak into our lives at some level, we do not have many spiritual fathers who watch for our souls. There are those among us that believe we can only have one spiritual father at a time, while there are others who believe that we can only have one spiritual father in our lifetime. 

Spiritual fathers are emissaries who have been sent to represent the way of the Father’s heart to us. They provide oversight and may be directly or indirectly responsible for us being birthed into the Kingdom. They are master builders and equippers, helping us discover our destiny as sons of the Kingdom. 

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

This scenario is based on a generally accepted understanding of the above passage of Scripture. It is not intended to be used to browbeat and pressure those of us who have not had the privilege of having a father-son relationship with a true spiritual father. 

It is obvious to me that we would not be where we are today if it had not been for the Father’s direct influence over our mutual destiny. By divine providence and our ability to continue to hear and obey His voice, He has brought us to this place in order to hear what He has been saying all along.