Family Ministry:

Straight AheadA great need in our churches today is family ministry. As I observe families in varying degrees of crisis, I become aware of the deterioration of the family unit--even among Christians. As I watch people dealing with all kinds of transitions, from grief to marriage, to all sorts of unique situations, I see the break-down of family systems and the inability or unwillingness of families to communicate with one another, to express their feelings, to share their concerns, to confide in each other. It's been in the back of my mind for a long time to establish a Family Ministry Center in a church where I have been pastor. I have never been in a church where that was feasible--though the church I served in southwest Virginia back in the early '80's could probably do that now. Churches spend a lot of time ministering to various groups--singles, children, youth, the elderly, even young adults. This kind of ministry can be very good; but it can also overlook one of the great needs of thecongregation. We need to minister to the family as a whole. We can help fix families that are broken, and help keep families healthy. I actually have some ideas on how to do it. By God's grace, perhaps this can be a vital part of my ministry in future years. *** Please don't forget to go back into the archives of this blog if you haven't read it in a while, or if you're a new reader. Over 110 entries have been written now, extending back to July, 2006. I hope you'll find something to interest, amuse, inform, inspire, or just something to make you think.