Family ministry is one of the farthest reaching and greatest opportunities that the local church has to teach kids, develop leaders, and equip parents in order to train up and disciple the next generation. When a local church embraces the unique possibility of an intentionally designed effort to invest in the next generation, it embraces the possibility of a ministry that won’t just change a kid or a home, but that can actually change the community and reach the world. Here’s how we define family ministry.
1. It’s Intentional
Family ministry is an intentional strategy. With family ministry we must know the purpose, have a plan, and execute that plan accordingly. Execution without a strategy is aimless. And a strategy without execution is pointless. Family ministry without intentionality is nothing more than a good idea.
2. It’s a Partnership
Family ministry is also a partnership between the local church and the home. Some have suggested that family ministry happens in one of these contexts or the other, but Scripture and experience both demand the two work in collaboration and partnership with one another. When the responsibility and effort to raise up the next generation is shared by the family and the church, a more holistic approach can be taken.
3. It’s About the People
Family ministry is focused on three distinct groups of people: the kids or students in a particular age demographic, the leaders that invest in these kids, and the parents who have been entrusted with the primary responsibility of discipling these kids. A faithful and effective family ministry will intentionally invest in the kids, their leaders, and their parents.
4. It’s Mission is Discipleship
Family ministry aims to develop disciple making disciples. Discipleship is wrapped up in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The aim is to grow these kids, leaders, and parents to become more like Jesus in such a way that they become more faithful disciples who are doing the same for others. Family ministry reaches far and wide because it is the logical outcome of a ministry that seeks to multiply disciples far beyond the walls of any particular church or home.
This video is from our Family Ministry Training Pathway on Ministry Grid. Check out more Ministry Grid training videos here.
