In Perspectives on
Family Ministry: 3 Views Jones (2009) describes three models for many
Ministry. These models are Family-Based,
Family-Equipping and Family-Integrated.
Before I explore these three models I have general criticism concerning
this resource. I am troubled that all
three examples to showcase the models are from the same denomination (Baptist)
and geographic region (Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas). There is an assumed agreement on many issues
in this book that is simply not the case in different denominations and different
parts of the country.
Family-Integrated Ministry
This assumed agreement is most clearly seen in Renfro’s
(2009) explanation of the Family Integrated Model. According to Jones (2009) this model is, “by
far the most radical model. In a family
integrated church, all age-graded classes and events are eliminated…In a family
integrated congregation, each scripturally ordered household is a building
lock; together these building blocks constitute the local church” (42-43). Renfro (2009) describes his ministry context
as a family integrated church. He notes
that Grace Family Baptist Church was planted as a family integrated
church. It is my opinion that the family
integrated approach is only a realistic option in such cases. Renfro (2009) goes on to describe a rather
archaic model for discipleship and discipline that this church teaches its
families. This is where the trouble
really begins in my eyes. Even if an
existing church could transition into a family integrated church without
completely falling apart, as a minister of a church in a denomination that
allows for and encourages female pastors, district superintendents and bishops,
stating that men are the sole spiritual heads of the household may not
fly. Likewise, there are many families
in my context that would never consider corporal punishment as a discipline
tool in their household. For all these
reasons I find the Family integrated model to be an unrealistic.
Family-Based Ministry
According to Jones (2009), “In the family-based ministry
model, no radical changes occur in the church’s internal structure. The congregation still maintains youth
ministry, children’s ministry, singles ministry, and so on…Yet each ministry
sponsors events and learning experiences that are intentionally designed to
draw generations together” (43.)
According to Shields (2009) a major benefit of this approach is,
“Family-based ministry supports Christian families where they exist, while at
the same time, aggressively and intentionally engaging non-Christian families
with the transforming message of Christ” (98).
The family-based model does seem to have the best of both worlds. Still, both Renfro and Strother (2009) raise
concerns that this ministry model may not do enough to engage parents and may
add more chaos to the already too busy lives of the churches families. I believe that the effectiveness of this
model hinges first, on how constant the flow of communication and parenting
resources is that comes to families from the church, and second, on whether or
not a church scales back the number of age segregated programs and activities to
make room for intergenerational events and programs.
Family-Equipping Ministry
In describing the family-equipping ministry model Jones
(2009) states, “In this model, many semblances of age-organized ministry remain
intact…Yes church leaders play every ministry to champion the place of parents
as primary disciple-makers in their children’s lives, asking, ‘What is best for
families?’ at every level of the church’s ministry…family-equipping ministry
reworks the church’s entire structure to call parents to disciple their
children at every level of the church’s work” (43-44). Strother (2009) adds “family equipping
congregations do not believe it is enough merely to tweak or refocus exisiting
youth and children’s programs” (144).
The major roadblock I see in this model is acknowledged by Strother
(2009), “The family-equipping model requires years to take root and permeate
every level of church life” (164).
Perhaps the answer is to be a family-based congregation moving ever
slowly in the direction of a family-equipping church.
Jones, T. P. (Ed.). (2009). Perspectives on family ministry: 3 views.
Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
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