Deb Jurchen has begun serving the District as Family Ministry Consultant. In this role, she will share articles and resources to encourage congregations to connect with and serve the families in their community.
The success of Family Ministry can be measured by the climate and culture of supporting families in fulfilling their household vocations in the Christian faith. 10 simple ways to facilitate this include the following:
1. Create authentic, intentional connections for the whole family with a focus on parental support and mentorship in developing habits of faith in the home.
2. Engage older adults to connect with younger adults. Intentional connections between ages will bring value to both parties.
3. Identify where families in your congregation gather. (Before or after services? Around midweek confirmation/ Bible Study? At school pick-up?) Increase intention around connecting these households during these gathering times. (Highlight and introduce a few families, show a slide show of members after service during coffee/snack time, etc.) Be present as a ministry leader during these times and model presence and authentic connection.
4. Identify gathering places and habitual activities in the home. Model how to attach a faith practice to that gathering or habit. (Reading a Bible story at bedtime, praying with your family as you pull out of the driveway, devotions after mealtime, etc.)
5. Model, model, model. There are countless great resources available to equip families in home faith formation, but how can you get your families to utilize them? Model use of a resource before or after service in the announcements or during the children’s message. Always model use of a resource during the event in which the resource is given.
6. Have “Name Tag Sundays.” Two to four times a year, supply disposable name tags for the entire congregation to write out and wear upon entering the church building on a Sunday morning.
7. Get personal with invitations. Strive for the most personal connection possible, such as an in-person invitation, phone call, individualized text, or email.
8. Ask for feedback. Using a questionnaire in the bulletin or an online survey code, simply ask how connected and supported your families feel and ways you could improve your support.
9. Follow Up. Use programs and events as a jumping off point in engaging families. Continue building the relationship through follow-up conversations and connections to other members of the congregation. Empower those who have been through programs to mentor others.
10. Wrap your arms around parents. Support parents through the development of intergenerational mentorship connections between congregation members (prayer partners, church aunts/uncles, etc.). Parents are busy, overwhelmed, and often lonely. Personal connection and support are key.