I love thinking and dreaming about ministry to the family. It’s what keeps me thinking. I love the way that God designed the family to operate. The older generation passing down faith to the younger.
I also love the debate, especially among youth pastors, about if family ministry is really the best thing for discipling students.
I also love that there are a growing number of resources for ministering to the parents (older) to help them disciple their kids (younger). One of my favorites is parentministry.net
But I think that churches and especially youth pastors are missing one of the biggest benefits of family ministry.
I will call it the reverse family ministry model. The idea that the younger generation would not only pour into the older generation but that they would also influence them to make changes and ultimately come to know Christ and have a vibrant growing relationship with Him.
I think that something we should be thinking about is if we are really discipling our teens to disciple their families.
The family is broken. Discipleship is not. Provided of course, that we actually do it.
So rather than spend time debating whether family ministry is the right method or not, just disciple kids and their parents. Resource both groups. Demand growth and expect multiplication.
I am a family ministry guy. But I love on my students like it’s my job (cuz it is)! I know that they have the same ability to be used by God as their parents.
Whether you are on or off the family ministry train. Make disciples and challenge them to disciple their family. Whether they are a student or a parent.
