While browsing the Internet one day, the Rev. John Porter, associate pastor at Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler, came upon the perfect name for the church's new Bible study and prayer group for fathers.

Dubbed the Grateful Dads after a similarly named group on the West Coast, these fathers are helping each other to navigate their child-raising years.

"The name just caught my fancy," said Porter. "It reflects the fact that we feel that being fathers is both a calling and a blessing."

The father of children ages 5 and 7, Porter facilitates the Dads' weekly meetings, which began on Sunday mornings last spring.

"A lot of the younger men had a lot in common. … We had a lot of similar needs and pressures," said member Tom Graham, whose children are 2 and 5.

The group, consisting of about four fathers who attend weekly, now meets at 7:45 a.m. Wednesdays to accommodate members' schedules during the busy summer months.

Meeting at local restaurants, the group shares breakfast during their morning discussions.

"Meeting offsite somewhere really puts people at ease," said Porter.

Another key factor in the group's open discussion is the size. Though the group is open to new members, Porter said a small group makes it easier for all to share in the conversation and to debate issues upon which they disagree.

Past topics have included prayer as a way of supporting their spouses and dealing with the concerns they have for their children.

The group also discusses methods for interacting with their children and supporting them.

"We feel comfortable enough with one another to say 'I think this is hooey,'" he said.

Using books such as "The Power of a Praying Parent" and "The Power of the Praying Husband," both by Stormie Omartian, members use readings and personal experiences to compare and discuss the challenges, concerns and joys that come from raising children.

"That kind of pressure is not what's important," noted Graham. "God brought the child into your life for a reason and you should reflect upon the positive aspects of it."

The Grateful Dads' focus on personal interaction sets it apart from other Sunday school classes and Bible studies, said Graham.

"It's not so much of an instructor-led class as a Sunday school class would be," he said.

Porter agrees, seeing himself as a member, as well as the facilitating pastor.

"I get as much out of the discussion as I put into it, probably more," he said.

Graham also feels the discussions have helped him in raising his children.

"Society is full of all types of pressures for our kids, for dads, for moms. Using God to help cope with those problems and to strengthen our family relationships and our relationships with our friends, it's made me feel better about myself and my parenting skills and my relationships with my family."