TEAM UP - Summer 2000
 

resources for effective children's ministry


 
 
The Disconnected Generation
Authors - Josh McDowell & Dave Bellis
Publisher - Word Publishing

    Favorite Features:


    As parents of teens, my husband and I are committed to developing a strong relationship with our kids - we're not willing to risk losing them, so we appreciate this resource and the powerful message it communicates as to how parents may connect with their teens and in so doing build a strong, stable family.  We need to do all we can to strengthen our own homes and to help build and strengthen families in our churches and communities.  I especially appreciate the focus this resource puts on the extreme importance a stable, committed marriage plays in building a strong, connected family.  I completely agree when children see their parents are committed to each other, they are able to be more confident in their parent's love and commitment for them - this can only help teens and parents connect with one another!

    I also appreciate how this resource not only identifies the problem, but goes on to clearly explain some real, do-able steps parents can take to connect with their teens.  I am sure most parents really want their teens to feel secure and connected, so if they know what to do, how to do it and have the support to follow through with the steps to take, I am convinced we genuinely can make a lasting impact in helping to build strong, connected families!

    I would like to encourage churches to commit to develop a priority of strengthening families - and while there are certainly many excellent resources available to utilize in parenting classes . . . many of which we have reviewed  . . .  "The Disconnected Generation" is definitely one to begin with.  I highly recommend "The Disconnected Generation" for use in churches to help build strong, connected families!  Extremely well done Josh, Dave and Word Publishing!


 
 
Fantastic Families
Authors - Dr. Nick & Nancy Stinnett & Joe and Alice Beam
Publisher - Howard Publishing

    Favorite Features:


    I am completely convinced churches need to take an active roll in helping to build and strengthen families - the health of the church is directly ties in to the health of it's families.  If families are struggling and weak the church will also struggle.  We need to commit to building families - both inside and outside the church.

    Over the past couple of years I have read a number of excellent books on parenting - I especially appreciate the time and commitment put into this book making "Fantastic Families" an excellent selection for mentoring teams to read through together and would also make an interesting and beneficial choice for a parenting class as well with the six steps to building a strong family there are measurable ways for parents to see how they are doing.  I am so glad to see the emphasis on parenting intentionally - we parents need to know where we are headed if we want to arrive with a strong family.  I highly recommend this book, extremely well done Nick, Nancy, Joe, Alice and Howard Publishing!
 
 

    There are many ways a church can take steps to develop a priority of strengthening families - let me share one possible idea with you my own church is implementing.  My church is truly blessed by God with leaders who are genuinely committed to effective ministry AND to do whatever it takes to truly have effective ministry.  Pastor Bruce Kalish and Pastor Nate Wagner along with our Elder Board have made the decision to make Wednesdays family night at our church - they are moving choir and prayer meeting to Thursday night so Wednesday night we will be using FW Friends with the kids for our mid-week club and have a coffee house area to encourage community parents to come in the church where mentoring parents will be available to talk.  Eventually we will be able to offer parenting classes during the kid's club as well!  This will be a terrific way for our church to connect with families and to help build and strengthen these families in our church and community!  This also shows by what they do, our leaders are truly committed to do what it takes to build and strengthen families.  In case you haven't noticed, I am impressed!  At any rate, maybe for your church it would involve a different plan to emphasize and equip families, but however your church can make it work, I encourage you to do what you can to reach out to and strengthen families!
 
 

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About The Youth Department - Volume 3, Edition 1
Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated July 12, 2000
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at dfreemansr@earthlink.net