Faith Growth Moments

Passing on the faith can become a partnership between the church congregation and the family.  Whether the families are experiencing turning points as they move from one stage of life or the families are experiencing important milestones that will leave a lasting impact on one’s life these teachable moments don’t want to be missed.

At each moment of one’s life the goal is to connect them God; see themself as God sees them.  Linda Staats stated in her article Passing on Faith Milestone to Milestone, “Milestones offer and opportunity to bring God’s presence into the home and connect the rituals of daily life with the life of the congregation, thus shaping a vital partnership between home and congregation [Staats].

In a lecture, Family Development by Denise Kjesbo (Bethel Seminary, St.Paul, MN.  Spring 2005 Family ministry class) highlighted that anthropologists believe all families in the western hemisphere experience predictable changes or turning points.  Our goal and privilege as a church is to identify those changes and meet them in those moments.  When we meet them in these moments where they are searching for answers, times of transition are greatest vulnerability and greatest potential for growth and His involvement in their lives.  Dr. Kjesbo stated:

• There are tasks to be addressed at each stage and successful completion of tasks at one stage launches the family into the next stage.  Unresolved tasks may create ongoing struggles. (ie: giving kids responsibility without the boundaries having had been established…a mom continues to step in and fight to take off  the cocoon shell; one person in the family trying to let it go and one trying to hold onto issues.)”
• Church– one of only institutions to accompany families through each stage
• Children and Family ministers have potential to contributes to individuals and the family.
• The six stages are: 1-Leaving home; 2-Joining of families (marriage); 3-Families with young children; 4-Families with adolescents; 5-Launching children and moving on (empty nesters); 6-Families in later life.  To read more on the six stages of life go to the website:  The Childhood Affirmations at http://www.childhoodaffirmations.com/general/family/stages.html. 

Dr. Kjesbo continued to explain, regardless of stage of life, “these 4 components need to be nurtured by family and church:  Faith Talk:  Help parents continue faith conversations; Family devotions (the more independent the individual the more “loose” these spiritual teaching moments become); Traditions/Rituals:  family routine experiences via  holiday gatherings and such; Service projects –completed as a family. “

What way can your ministry provide for families in turning points?  Instead of just leading a child through faith milestones like baptism, salvation, entrance to youth group, why not as a church invite the parent into the discussions, studies and celebrations of each milestone?

[Staats.  Passing on Faith- Milestone to Milestone Linda Staats.  http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/uploads/5/2/4/6/5246709/passing_on_faith-milestone_to_milestone_-_staats.pdf.]