Perspectives On Family Ministry: Three Views
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Overview
In Perspectives on Family Ministry, Timothy Paul Jones makes the case that every church is called to some form of family ministry—but what he means by “family ministry” isn’t simply one more program to add to an already-packed schedule! According to Jones, the most effective family ministries involve refocusing every church process to engage parents in the process of discipling their children and to draw family members together instead of pulling them apart.
Jones sets the stage with introductory chapters on the historical contexts and foundations of family ministry. Then, three effective practitioners show clearly how your church can make the transition to family ministry. Paul Renfro (pastor of discipleship at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas) writes in favor of Family-Integrated Ministry, where the emphasis is on intergenerational discipleship. Brandon Shields (minister to high school students at Highview Baptist Church, a multi-site megachurch in Kentucky and Indiana) supports Family-Based Ministry—ministry that organizes programs according to ages and interests but also develops intentional activities and training events to bring families together. Jay Strother (minister to emerging generations at Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee) prefers Family-Equipping Ministry, maintaining age-organized ministry while reorganizing the congregation to call parents to become active partners in the discipleship of their children.
- Explores the significance of family ministry
- Seeks to equip believers to defend God's plan for family
- Examines why family ministry has resulted to be ineffective
Why Every Church Needs Family Ministry
- Confessions of a WelI-Meaning Youth Minister
- The Task Too Significant to Hire Someone Else to Do
- Historical Contexts for Family Ministry
- Foundations for Family Ministry
How Churches Are Doing Family Ministry
- Family-Integrated Ministry: Family-Driven Faith
- Responses to Paul Renfro
- Family-Based Ministry: Separated Contexts, Shared Focus
- Responses to Brandon Shields
- Family-Equipping Ministry: Church and Home as Cochampions
- Responses to Jay Strother
Top Highlights
“The false assumption is simply this: Parents are not the primary persons responsible for their children’s Christian formation. The people perceived as being primarily responsible for children’s spiritual development are specialized leaders of age-focused ministries. Despite the popularity of this model, here’s what I wish to suggest: This model is not biblical, and the results of this approach have not consistently reflected God’s intentions for His people.” (Page 13)
“What is relatively new is the assumption that specialized church ministries can or should become the main means by which Christian children mature in their faith. The idea that any age-focused ministry possesses the capacity or principal responsibility to lead students toward spiritual maturity represents a radical departure not only from the teachings of Scripture but also from centuries of Christian expectations and practice. Yet that seems to be precisely the perspective of many contemporary Christian parents and churches. The discipleship of children is perceived to be the task of the church’s programs, not of the children’s parents.” (Page 22)
“Family-integrated ministry is by far the most radical model. In a family-integrated church, all age-graded classes and events are eliminated. That’s right: No youth group, no children’s church, no grade-segmented Sunday school classes. Generations learn and worship together, and parents bear primary responsibility for the evangelism and discipleship of their children.” (Page 42)
“In the second place, each contributor also recognizes that God has called parents—and especially fathers—to take personal responsibility for the Christian formation of their children.” (Page 46)
Dr. Jones has provided an important teaching tool that will serve the pastorate well.
—Dennis Rainey, president, Family Life
I have not read a better book to help us follow the biblical mandate to help families succeed. It is well researched and well written. I highly recommend this to all who want to get their arms aruond family ministry.
—Jim Burns, president, HomeWord
- Title: Perspectives on Family Ministry: Three Views
- Authors: Paul Renfro, Brandon Shields, Randy Stinson, Jay Strother, Timothy Paul Jones
- Publisher: B&H
- Print Publication Date: 2009
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 208
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Christian leadership; Ministry › Family
- ISBNs: 9781430077503, 9781535933360, 9781433668883, 1535933364, 1433668882, 1430077506
- Resource ID: LLS:9781433668883
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:48:04Z
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