Walter and Jackie Wright provide support and resources for family ministries in the Lake Union. As a team with the experience that comes from over 50 years of marriage together, they have developed Marriage Maintenance Seminar, in demand around the world. In addition, they have emphasis for men, women, and singles, and conduct weekends for each of those groups. For information about where and when these seminars and retreats are available, or to schedule one for your area, visit http://luc.adventist.org and follow links to the family ministries department.

A Message About Family Life Evangelism

Family life is a felt need in every community. By providing resources and assistance to members of your community, you can meet those needs. Since this is an area of interest, family life evangelism will be attractive to the average person, especially to one who has been to a number of evangelistic meetings and needs a new approach to reach the heart.

The secular-minded, and those in the upper classes of society, recognize their need for help in the area of family life, but may not recognize their need for God or the Bible. Many who would reject a traditional evangelistic series are interested in attending a professional seminar presentation on family skills and principles.

Since God is love and all the teachings of scripture describe His character, family life evangelism provides a unique opportunity to see those teachings as valuable and relevant principles in the context of family. As families learn these principles together, a wider family fellowship develops, which gives a sense of belonging.

Churches who become involved in family life evangelism provide not only a great service to their community, but they benefit with their own enrichment and development. As members learn to live the practical principles from scripture, family and church life is enriched. Sharing those principles raises the standard of life within the homes and families of the community.

In a world so desperate for love, family life evangelism enriches our understanding of the love of God and fulfills one of His purposes for the family—a practical illustration of His divine love. The gospel takes on a new dimension and is seen in greater fullness.

Sparking a Passion for Family Ministries

Since God is the giver of spiritual gifts and places each member in the body of Christ as He pleases, chances are you already have someone in your congregation who is just right to lead family ministries. There are also a number of people God has equipped to provide support. Put these people together and empower them to do the work God has called them to do. You may call them the family ministries task force.

The task force can assess congregation and community needs, formulate goals and objectives, coordinate ministries, and inform the congregation of issues related to family life. They should be representative of the families of the community with a vision for family life.

The director's role is to lead the task force in accomplishing its mission. Questions to be addressed include: What is family? What is the relationship of the church to the family? How should the church respond to the pain and trauma caused by divorce? What are the main features of a functional family? What does the Bible teach regarding respect, relationships, and roles of husbands and wives? What role should therapy have in the church's ministry? How will people be equipped to conduct family ministries training? What special family educational needs are in the community? Will the church work with other support groups?

The various family ministries offices of the conference, union, and division can provide valuable resources in the areas of communication skills, teaching Christian values in the home, parenting, marital conflict resolution, leading your children to Christ, problem solving, finances and money management, family worship, pre-marital planning, and more.

The family ministries task force can help bring an awareness of family needs and develop a sense of community. Those needs often include: lack of personal quiet time, marriage and family counseling, assistance relating to aging parents, issues facing single adults, vocational guidance, child-care, unemployment, alcohol and drug-related problems, and family violence or abuse.

Before attempting to meet these needs the family ministries task force should form a mission statement defining the scope and focus of family ministries. The purposes of family ministries should be defined and include words such as educate, equip, inform, support, interface, and extend. Determine goals and specific outcomes, stating objectives and devising programs.

From time to time, instruments should be used to evaluate the ministry. Provide those served the opportunity to respond and give feedback through interviews or questionnaires. Check attendance patterns and evaluate responses to the various presenters and materials. Share this information with the task force and incorporate what is learned into future programs and plans.

Walter and Jackie Wright are the Lake Union Conference directors for family ministries. They have conducted family life seminars in 16 countries on four continents. Walter Wright is a certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), certified by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) and Andrews University. The Wrights are members of the Adventist Association of Family Life Professionals (AAFLP). The couple has three sons and one daughter, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

SIDEBAR:

FAMILY MINISTRY EVENTS

From This Day Forward

South Bend, Indiana

Contact: www.plusline.org or (800) 732-7587

Men's Retreat

Soquel Campground

Sierra National Forest, California

Contact: sflores@cccsda.org

Family Seminar

Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church

Cedar Lake, Michigan

Contact: Mickey Mallory, (989) 427-3876

Family Seminar

Maranatha Bible Fellowship Seventh-day Adventist Church

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Contact: dmesa@misda.org