Ministry Matters™

Families in the Family of God (May/June/July 2013)

Families are central to a vibrant, intergenerational ministry, and individuals of all generations come together to form the congregational family of faith. This issue explores families in the church and practicing faith at home.

In This Issue

Cradle-to-Grave Discipleship

Cradle-to-Grave Discipleship

By Sally Dyck
The Four Areas of Focus include “developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.” Emphases and goals have been established around recruiting… read more
When Church and Family Finances Conflict

When Church and Family Finances Conflict

By Bromleigh McCleneghan
In early February, my husband and I prepared to visit the Taxman, spending a lunch hour gathering W-2s and mortgage statements and all the other official documents we had spent… read more
Spiritual Generativity: Nourishing Vital Families

Spiritual Generativity: Nourishing Vital Families

By Amy Valdez Barker
“Well, at least God loves me!” Those are the words that came out of my four-year old’s mouth after he had been scolded for unacceptable actions toward his… read more
An Ethic of Love in Marriage and Divorce

An Ethic of Love in Marriage and Divorce

By Felicia M. George
For years now, it has been reported that Christians divorce as often as everyone else in America. In an attempt to determine the validity of this assertion, various sociologists… read more
Work-Family Balance in Ministry

Work-Family Balance in Ministry

By Teddy Ray
Perhaps the two best-known leaders in the Christian movement from the 1950s into the 1980s were Billy Graham and Bill Bright. Both men influenced countless pastors who grew up in… read more
Including All Families

Including All Families

By John Hill and Nancy Speas Hill
“Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone. Standing side by side, draw the circle wide, draw the circle wide.” –Mark… read more
Let the Children Come: Kids Coming to Church Without Parents

Let the Children Come: Kids Coming to Church Without Parents

By Reggie Blount
“Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, … read more
The Power of Parents on the Path to Faith

The Power of Parents on the Path to Faith

By Kyle C. Longest
Kyle Longest is part of a research team that is conducting an extensive, ongoing investigation of the religious lives of young people. Under the primary direction of Christian… read more
Preparing the Way: Practices for Cultivating Faith in the Home

Preparing the Way: Practices for Cultivating Faith in the Home

By Mary Jane Pierce Norton
Meals in our home begin with this question, “Whose turn is it?” The privilege of offering the prayer before each meal rotates from one family member to another. This… read more
Singles Ministry

Singles Ministry

By Cindy Young and Ellen Bauman
Contrary to the stereotype of “singles” in the church as early twentysomethings, singles ministry is made up of people of all ages and stages of life: those who have… read more
Marriage Prep Programs and Policies

Marriage Prep Programs and Policies

By Richard A. Hunt and Jane P. Ives
On a hot summer day, a young couple knocked on the pastor’s door and asked, “How long will it take for you to marry us? We already have our license.”  A bit … read more
Rethinking "Family Friendly"

Rethinking "Family Friendly"

By Melissa Meyers
A few years ago, I went to a movie with some friends.  I got to pick the movie and I chose The Boy in the Striped Pajamas because I heard a review that said it was… read more
Congregations as Families of Faith: Beyond Age-Level Ministries

Congregations as Families of Faith: Beyond Age-Level Ministries

By Deech Kirk
According to national studies like Fuller Youth Institute’s “Sticky Faith” (www.stickyfaith.org) and the National Study of Youth and Religion… read more