God created the family before He created the church. Because of this, the church should be especially sensitive to the challenges and pressures families face today. Here are a few ways the church can provide much-needed help to families.
1. Decrease the scheduling demands. Many churches expect people to be at the church every night of the week, but this just isn’t possible or healthy for the family. Churches should streamline Sunday activities to free up time for family outings.
2. Provide opportunities for families to serve together through the church. Family-oriented mission projects and service teams are great ways to allow families to serve together.
3. Provide opportunities for families to fellowship together. Family picnics, church fellowships, pizza parties, father/child outings, and mother/child outings are just a few ways to bring the family together. When planning for the family, the church should be aware that many do not have “traditional” families. In response, churches should provide opportunities for single-parent and blended families as well.
4. Supplement costs. Often larger families cannot afford to send more than one child to camp or on a special trip. Providing scholarships or fund-raising opportunities for these families will meet an important need.
In some ways, the church becomes an extended family. The Bible teaches that the bond between God’s children in this extended family should be strong, authentic, and transparent. Let’s do all that we can to strengthen the family in the home and in the church!
Steve Rice 