Family Ministry Field Guide

"Scripture calls parents to train their children in the faith and to nurture their children's souls. Yet few parents actively engage in their children's spiritual development. How can churches best equip families to engage in their divine calling to disciple their children? Family ministry expert Dr. Timothy Paul Jones guides church leaders to develop a ministry system that equips parents to be the primary faith-trainers in their children's lives, moving beyond mere programming into a deeper spiritual life at home, within the church, and beyond. This resource is for leaders in the trenches--those who: see parents disengaging from their children's spiritual development; see too many students leave for college and drop out of church; have heard of 'family ministry, ' and just want to know more; or are frustrated with programmed ministries that fail to produce results. Based on solid research, this field guide unpacks how real-life churches can narrow the gap between present reality and the biblical ideal of faith-nurturing families"--Publisher description.

Every church is called to some form of family ministry, but this calling requires far more than adding another program to an already-packed schedule. The most effective family ministries refocus every church process to engage parents in discipling their children and to draw family members together instead of pulling them apart. In this second edition, Jones expands the definition of family ministry, and broadens the book's focus to address urban perspectives and family ministry in diverse settings.

Dr. Randy Stinson and Dr. Timothy Paul Jones have been the primary architects of the theological foundations for whathas become known as “family-equipping ministry”—a recognition that the generations need one another and that parents have an inherent responsibility for the discipleship of their children.

A practical resource for developing congregational stability, this updated book guides your church toward being capable of encouraging and sustaining healthy family life.

Timothy Paul Jones, along with other contributors, offers practical and encouraging advice to those who want to impact the next generation. Readers are reminded of the God-designed channels through which discipleship should occur: the church and the home. With a solid foundation of biblical guidelines, each writer offers workable strategies and ideas for family ministry. Parents as well as ministry leaders will be equipped to do their part to carry out the spiritual discipline of discipleship.

Experts develop a biblical theology for family ministry to help churches reach all types of families today, from traditional nuclear homes to single-parent, blended, and gay-partner families, and beyond.

Whether you're just getting started ministering to families or you've got a full-blown family ministry, Shift helps you equip parents to become spiritual leaders in their homes.