Family Ministry Moment: Your Presence Matters
Deb Jurchen serves 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.
“How can I reach the families in my setting?”
“I’m trying everything to get families to show up and participate.”
Do these sound familiar in your ministry context? Family ministry can be a struggle, but one of the most powerful strategies is also one of the simplest: your presence.
Think first about where parents in your setting naturally gather. If you have a preschool or elementary school ministry, parents come to your doorstep twice a day. In the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook this profound opportunity. Your visible, daily presence—simply showing up, greeting parents, and engaging in carline drop-off or pick-up—builds trust, creates safety, and makes you more approachable.
If your congregation doesn’t have a school, consider other locations your families gather—at sporting events, grocery stores, public schools, or community activities. Ask yourself: can I carve out a small amount of time each day to be present where families already are?
Intentional presence isn’t about adding another program. It’s about weaving relationship-building into the routines that already exist. When parents see you consistently in their world, family ministry becomes more natural, relational, and effective. As the school year begins and routines settle in, challenge yourself to add intentional presence to your daily rhythm. You may be surprised how much of a difference it makes.
Read Deb’s article “10 Simple Solutions for Effective Family Ministry” at ndlcms.org/10-simple-solutions-for-effective-family-ministry/