W
e believe that churches and families can make choices that will lead to greater impact on the coming generation. Some churches have embraced the idea that the church needs to become a substitute for the family. Other churches have endorsed a movement that encourages the home to become a substitute for the church. The result has been that church and home represent a polarization instead of a convergence. We have opted for bringing parents and church together in new and more effective ways to have a combined influence on the next generation.

The Family Ministry Team is in the formation stage of development. In the past, ministries to children and students were coordinated by different teams: Youth Ministry Team and Children’s Ministry Team.

Bringing these two groups of leaders and staff together into one new Family Ministry Team gives us an opportunity to create a more integrated discipleship path for children all the way through from birth to graduation from high school. The Family Ministry Team is intentionally focused on developing more synergy between ministry leaders and parents for every age group.

Another significant component of the Family Ministry Team discipleship strategy/structure is the decision to shift more responsibility to the shoulders of Team Members and Small Group Leaders. We are placing a great value on the small group leaders and parents working together. We have gifted leaders on the Family Ministry Team to serve as champions for various functions and age groups.

The Family Ministry Team is currently exploring more effective ways to bring paid staff, parents and volunteers together. For the next year, we plan to continue with two paid part-time staff members. Christine Brooks will continue to serve as Administrative Assistant (Family Ministry Team). Alaina Bowman will serve as Associate Family Ministry Director. Both Christine and Alaina will provide support to volunteers and parents for all age groups under the Family Ministry Team. Sr. Pastor Zack Turner will continue to devote a portion of his time to providing vision and coaching to the Family Ministry Team.