Departmental
The family was established by divine creation with marriage as its core. Since it is the basic environment in which values are transmitted and the capacity for an intimate relationship with God and other human beings is developed, its health is vital to the church’s mission of making disciples. The Family Life Ministry department recognizes the teachings of the Bible regarding the family as normative, and emphasizes God’s ideals for family life. At the same time, it helps understand the pain that individuals and families suffer in a fallen world. The department promotes understanding, unity, and love in the home as well as in the family of God.
PHILOSOPHY
The Scriptures reaffirm the importance of family and outline the divine principles that govern family relationships. At creation, God instituted marriage and with it the family (Genesis 2:18-25), as the main framework for human development and formation. When Christ redeemed the entire human experience from the curse of sin, He also redeemed marriage and family relationships. Ask family members to behave as befits people who have responded to the gospel (Ephesians 5:21-6:4). Since the family is the main setting where the capacity to love and intimate communion with God and with other human beings is developed; and where Christian values are passed from one generation to the next, the family occupies a central place in the process of Christian discipleship (John 8:31, 13:35).
MISSION
The Department of Family Ministries seeks to strengthen, inspire hope, and heal marriages, families, and individuals through the abundant love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
VISION
Prepare families for the Kingdom of God, and in this way hasten the coming of Jesus Christ.
OBJECTIVES
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- Provide premarital instruction to couples, IN PROGRAMS LEADING TO STRENGTHEN MARRIAGE AND THE EDUCATION OF PARENTS.
- Pay attention to the special needs of families with single or widowed parents, or those in which there are stepfathers or stepmothers, and give instruction regarding family-to- family evangelization.
- Encourage reconciliation and restoration among the generations promised in Elijah’s message found in Malachi 4:5,6; and give hope and support to those who have been wounded and harmed by abuse, family dysfunction, and broken relationships.
- Promote growth opportunities through education and family enrichment. Counsel individuals, marriages and families, when necessary, to undergo professional family therapy.