2008 Peace Colloquy Workshop: "Families as Signal Communities" (1:14:09, 8MB) Jeri Lauren Lambert

Visions of Home and Family Life

Family Ministries Task Force, Community of Christ
(Endorsed by the World Church Leadership Council, September 2003)

Introduction

The health of family relationships is important for its members and blesses the life of congregations. In this policy we seek to recognize the diversity of families in the Community of Christ and seek ways to foster healthy relationships in whatever family individuals find themselves. We also remember that Jesus was single and lived a full life in community with others. Home is used intentionally to include both those who are single and those living in family. Home ministry is a ministry long recognized in our denomination. We view spiritual health of individuals and their families from a holistic perspective – including physical, economic, cultural and relational well being.

Key Scripture

"…Your people shall be my people, and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16 NRSV)

"Choose this day who you will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15 NRSV)

Mission Statement for Home and Family:

As home and family we are called to proclaim Jesus Christ through nurturing relationships of joy, hope, love, and peace.

Vision

We believe that…

1. We are made in the image of God, who is at the same time parent, child, and Spirit. We are therefore created to be in relationship. In addition to relationships commonly associated with the home, strong mutual relationships take various forms including intentional community, extended family, congregation, and wider church community.
   
2. The home is a place where opportunities to grow by participating in forgiveness and reconciliation are manifested on a daily basis. The home is a place where ideally brokenness is embraced as a doorway to God’s grace, where difference and otherness are celebrated. The home is to be a place where we seek to love one another without fear of abandonment.
   
3. Covenantal relationships are called to reflect the Reign of God.¹ It is within intimate communities that we experience love and hope, respect and mutuality, play and laughter, sorrow and pain, stewardship and service.
   
4. Shared faith creates a foundation of stability and unity in the home through the sharing of sacred stories, values, beliefs, and practices across generations. The fruits of faith include faithfulness, prayer, generosity, hospitality, and life lived in response to God’s love.

Program

In this initial phase of programming designed to strengthen family relationships we seek to uplift the importance of children growing up in stable and loving relationships. We begin strengthening home and family by equipping ministers and other leaders through training in their ministry to: 

1. Strengthen healthy relationships within marriage by:
1. Equipping ministers to participate in comprehensive premarital and post-ceremony preparation and education fostering mutual companionship.
2. Providing ongoing marriage enrichment opportunities.
   
2. Provide home visiting ministry to all by:
1. Equipping ministers and others in skilled home visiting.
2. Encouraging the development of stewardship practices in the home.
3. Enabling spiritual formation, family worship, and connecting with church school and camps.
4. Engaging homes in the ministry of hospitality.
   
3. Support all families by providing:
1. Parenting education including spiritual formation.
2. Human sexuality training.
3. Education in family financial management.
4. Encouragement to both men and women to be responsible for the loving care of their children.
   
4. Advocating for all families so that:
1. All families have sufficient income and benefits to provide for their children.
2. Parents have adequate time available to care for their children including parental leave during late pregnancy and after the birth of their child.

Footnote:
1. The Reign of God is another way of saying Kingdom of God without a masculine connotation. The Reign of God calls us to inclusive well being. It is an abiding call to righteousness or right-relationships - between God and humans, each other, and humans and nature. (Draft 7 October 2003)