By 'Family Ministry' we don't just mean parents and their offspring. what we have in mind is inclusive gatherings of young families. teenagers, grandparents, single adults - whoever Jesus would welcome.
NEW The Barnabas Team barnabusinchurches.org.uk asks some thought provoking questions in this article The Elephant in the Room.
'Many of us in traditional children's ministry (have been prompted) to ask some important and profound questions. Perhaps the most profound of them all must be:
- Where on earth does this hybrid term 'children's ministry' come from in the first place?
- Is it in the Bible?
- Is it in the best interests of our congregations?
- Certainly, we must ask, is it in the best interests of children?
- And perhaps, most importantly, how does it square with the importance and significance Jesus gives to children, with his teaching about learning from and with them, rather than directing information at them?'
Children's primary spiritual foundation comes from their home, so, for the good of the child, it's important to work with the whole family.
There are very great needs in our current cultural climate and ministry with children and families is becoming crucial. As the divorce rate nudges 50% churches have great opportunities to support existing families and nurture broken ones. There's a place for older people and singles in this as well. We all need each other.
✩ We want to equip parents to disciple their children.
✩ We want to offer families opportunities to grow in faith together by doing ministry together.
✩ We want to help churches to support their families to reach out to other families in their communities.
WHAT DO PARENTS REALLY LOOK FOR IN A CHILDREN'S MINISTRY? Here's an article worth reading if you're thinking beyond what activites to do with the church children next weekend 'What should we do next weekend?' from Children's Ministry magazine.
www.childrensministry.com/articles/the-secret-life-of-parents?p=2
TIPS for Parents and for all those others who can cheer them on
CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH JESUS is a DVD and book set that will help groups that really want to see families accept Jesus and follow him to move from holding activities that attract families to seeing them come to faith.
FAMILY RESOURCE KIT: FAMILY PACK SORRY OUT OF PRINT WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE THIS A FREE DOWNLOAD SOON
This pack brings together ideas on family ministry from
equipping parents to disciple their kids to getting families into
ministry together to reach out to families in their communities
In Australian society a 'family' may be the traditional mum, dad and kids, but it's almost as likely to be extended (including other relatives), single parent or blended (with the children of multiple partners)
Any of these forms can be emotionally nurturing, dysfunctional, abusive, chaotic or caring. In our children and families ministries we need to work with reality, accepting and including all types, as Jesus did.