A few years ago my wife, who was a Public School Teacher, expressed a desire to Home School our children. She joined a local Home School Organization and in June 2000 went to the New York State Home Schoolers Conference, and I joined her for one afternoon. I was surprised by what I heard at the Conference. They provided many resources for teaching your children, but I heard a lot of teaching about the parent's responsibility to raise their children. Not just in "academics," but in "spiritual" matters as well. Individuals shared that in our congregations we should not be looking to other people (including children and youth ministers) to teach our children, but we should be doing it ourselves. They shared that children could spend some time with other children, but they believed children and teens could learn best if they remained with their parents most, if not, all of the time. Should not parents, be the role models, influencers and best friends our children have? Wouldn't children mature faster if they spent more time around their parents than other kids? Don't teens and singles of any age need the wisdom and example of married couples when seeking God for a spouse?
My wife bought this hook, line and sinker, but I didn't. I saw some merit, and Biblical precedence for this, but I was formerly a Youth Minister and saw the place I could have standing with parents. I couldn't imagine ministry without people specifically working with children, teens, singles, seniors, etc. I told my wife to be patient, and that maybe we would wind up meeting somewhere in the middle between her philosophy and mine. But as time went on God began to talk with me more and more about Family Ministry. I began to contact a few people involved in Family ministry and my views began to change more than I could have imagined. I recently read about congregations that are based on Family Ministry. It really made an impact in my life and way of thinking. I am now sold hook, line and sinker! I read about different ways God is working and have really been thinking about how I could envision things changing
at our congregation.
One of the things I am doing to begin this process is to look at our congregants in light of their "family" situation. I am looking to see which families have men (husbands and/or fathers) living in their home, and which ones don't. I want to begin meeting with the men in our congregation on a regular basis. When we meet I need to ask them how are things going in their homes. Are things fine? Can anything use improvement? Is there anything I or the congregation can do to assist or encourage them in leading their family? I, as the Rabbi, should no longer try to directly "care" for the ladies and children. I should begin to help the men "care" for their wives and children. Right now, some of you may be saying this is great for the families that have men living in their homes, but what about the ladies who do not have a man present? The answer is: We need to have families (with godly men present) adopt them! I need to impart this "vision" to our congregants so that families with men catch their need and responsibility to adopt the single women.
This sounds nice, but what do I mean by adopting these women. This will vary from home to home, but families need to get involved in the lives of these women (and children if they have any), and be their family. It could mean having them over for dinner on a "regular" basis. It could mean praying with them, especially as they make major decisions. It doesn't mean to tell them what to do, but to support and assist them as needed. It could mean to shovel snow, rake leaves, mow lawns, drive them to the store. It could mean anything. But what it does mean, is to BE FAMILY! To be there for them just like you would your own children or parents.
As I look at the Bible I see that the nation of Israel was not just a nation. Israel was not just a group of people living together in the same geographic place. Israel was an extended family. God called them to bring their children with them when they came to worship Him. In Exodus 10:9 it says, "Moses answered, 'We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the LORD.'" Here I see an example in Scripture where Israel was called by God to worship Him together as families. In regards to the nation of Israel
being an extended family let's take a look at Joshua 7:14 where it says, "In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD takes shall come forward clan by clan; the clan that the LORD takes shall come forward family by family; and the family that the LORD takes shall come forward
man by man." Israel was also identified as the 12 Tribes of Israel. In Joshua we see that the tribes were then broken down into clans, and the clans were broken down into families, which of course is broken down in individuals. When I read this I see that Israel was an extended family.
What do you think about this? I would like encourage you to give this some thought. I would also like to ask you to feel free to write me and share any thoughts or ask any questions. I don't have all the answers as I am still learning and exploring myself, but maybe we could explore together. If "family" is something missing in your life I invite you to visit our congregation. We don't have it all laid out in fine detail, or in operation yet. We are just getting started in imparting this vision to our congregants so you could get in right from the start. We're looking for a few good men. We're also looking for some good women and children. God's the perfect Father, and we're His imperfect children. Come and join our family. |
