James Dobson Leaving Focus on the Family

James Dobson, the voice of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, will no longer host its flagship radio broadcast and is cutting formal ties with the organization that he founded more than 30 years ago, the evangelical group said Friday.

Dobson, 73, and the board of directors both agreed about the moves, which will go into effect at the end of February, ministry officials said. The decision to part ways was amicable and long anticipated, said Gary Schneeberger, spokesman for the Colorado Springs-based group.

Dobson has distanced himself in recent years from the organization he founded in 1977 and built into an influential force — both as a political powerhouse and provider of conservative family and moral advice. Dobson resigned as Focus on the Family president in 2003 and as chairman of the board in February.

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"The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season — and Dr. Dobson's season at Focus on the Family has been remarkable," Jim Daly, Dobson's successor as president, said in a statement. "He has done a superlative job in modeling the graceful transition of leadership from one generation to the next."

Dobson did not issue a statement on his departure. Dobson's "health and attitude are great," Schneeberger said. Dobson suffered a minor heart attack in 1990 and a mild stroke in 1998.

Daly, however, made clear that Dobson "will continue to make his voice heard in the public square."

"Dr. Dobson is a wordsmith, but one word I don't suspect we'll hear him using is 'retirement,'" he said.

In announcing his resignation as board chairman earlier this year, Dobson said: "One of the common errors of founder-presidents is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority ... Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do."