A resource offered by the Partners in Faith Committee of the Synod
What is “Family Ministry”?
- "Family Ministry" is a ministry which focusses on nurturing the faith of our children and young people.
- "Family Ministry" is a focus... not a program. It is a way of thinking that challenges the way we work our programs.
- "Family Ministry” is the umbrella term under which the Partners in Faith Committee to the Alberta and Territories Synod works for the synod.
Towards this understanding of "Family Ministry" the mission statement of Partners in Faith is...
To inspire and nurture faith in the home.
Our vision is...
To see Christian faith nurtured every day of the year in every home of our synod.
Our emphasis is not on parenting skills or social issues but on equipping families to use faith resources in Christ's domestic church (our homes).
What you will find on the "Family Ministry" page
Most of our information is offered on sub-pages. When you click on "Family Ministry" on the left side bar you will find tabs linking to sub-pages. The sub-pages include:
- PIF HISTORY - A short history of Partners in Faith from it's American roots to where we are today. Included at the end of this tab is a longer view of passing on the faith.
- BIBLICAL BASIS - A biblical understanding of faith in the home.
- FOCUS - The focus of family ministry is attitude not program.
- GETTING STARTED - Getting "Family Ministry" started in your congregation.
- ALL AGE WORSHIP - Suggestions and ideas for intergenerational worship that supports family ministry. This handy resource was developed by the now defunct national committee on Partners in Faith.
- EG's - Examples of systems developed specifically to do "Family Ministry." The trend has been for these systems to be developed by para-church or church support organizations rather than by national church offices. There are benefits to such specialization and the material is quite good.
- RESOURCE - CENTRES - Six resource centres have been established across the synod with "must read" and "must use" materials for family ministry.
- RESOURCE - BOOKS - A list (PDF) of books in the St. Paul's (Ellerslie), Edmonton library which are helpful for family ministry.
- RESOURCE - LINKS - Links to other websites which we have found useful for family ministry AND instructions on how to join the PIF email user list.
- RESOURCE - HOMES - Downloadable materials to be used in your home or in small groups.