Family Ministry

Today we are working with a vast range of parental ages that have a vast range of childhood experiences which impact who they are as parents. To be able to connect with families today, it is important to identify with what parents need from the Church. While planning family ministry – which is part of child and youth religious education, sacramental preparation, and adult formation – always consider that opportunities and communication should be:

Diverse, with options

Parents today want their children to have multiple experiences. They also want to experience these things with their children. They can’t always make it to everything or aren’t necessarily interested in everything offered, but if given choices, they’ll consider what best fits their time and immediate needs.

Practical, real-life, genuine, meaningful, transforming, relevant, inspiring, authentic

Parents today will participate with their children in offerings that help them as parents, with real-life situations that they know will either make a difference in their immediate life or their community. Through these experiences parents want to personally learn about faith through other people’s life experiences. They want authentic examples of how faith can transform their current existence while dealing with relevant issues.

Collaborative, involving, open to new ways, non-authoritative, non-hypocritical

Parents today want to feel that they can contribute to the faith life of their children. They want to know that if they are involved with the Church that they will be respected, understood and their time is not wasted. Parents want to know that those they work with in the Church are seeing their gifts and talents and are not judging them for who they are. Parents want the best possible experience for their children, therefore want to be part of decision making when it comes to programs.

Transparent, honest, clear, on-going, immediate

Because parents today are very involved in raising their children, they want to know what is going on and what is expected of them and their children. Parents want to know that the church leaders are being honest and timely in communicating information and needs. Parents also want to know about all the different stages – they want to be part of those stages.

With others, family centered - service, church ministry, prayer, discussions

Families today are very relational. Parents have closer relationships with friends than they do immediate family – they want to change this with their own children. Parents want opportunities where they can celebrate, minister, pray and learn together as a family. Parents do not want to see their family “split up” to learn about the faith – they want to do it together.

Welcoming, non-stressful

Families today are very busy. Parents are stressed about work, finances, family obligations, schedules, and their children’s needs. The last thing they want is church to be stressful too. If the church is going to place as many demands as their jobs, parents will not get involved, nor will they subject their children to it. Parents want to know that they are appreciated, welcomed and able to enjoy their faith experiences with their children.

Media minded

Families today communicate through the media. Electronics are a staple of their existence. To ignore this or expect them to be otherwise will be detrimental to their involvement in the faith life of the Church. Parents want to share faith, through media (YouTube, Facebook, blogs, apps) with their children. Parents want to be communicated to through media – in as few words as possible.