A comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, Family Ministry presents an overview of contemporary family life, sets out the principles that underpin this work and offers strategic and practical approaches to working with families. An essential read for all who are involved in this field and passionate about seeing God's kingdom come in families, churches and communities.

A comprehensive foundation for practitioners, this handbook presents an overview of contemporary family life, sets out the core principles of family ministry and offers strategic and practical approaches to implement.

The Essential Guide to Family Ministry by Gail Adcock offers a comprehensive overview of family life, principles of ministry, and practical strategies for engaging families in faith.

Gail Adcock

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

I Ministry and families today

1 The changing shape of family

2 Theology for family ministry

3 Family ministry today

II Seven habits for highly effective family ministry

4 Be strategic

5 Be supportive

6 Be collaborative

7 Be intergenerational

8 Be missional

9 Be holy at home

10 Be reflective

Final thoughts

Notes

A comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, Family Ministry presents an overview of contemporary family life, sets out the principles that underpin this work and offers strategic and practical approaches to working with families. An essential read for all who are involved in this field and passionate about seeing God’s kingdom come in families, churches and communities.

The Essential Guide to Family Ministry offers practical insights for church workers. It covers family dynamics, strategic approaches, and skills development for effective ministry.

\["For anyone working in Church and family ministry","This book helps build up anyone in their ministry efforts","You'll have the practice and theology to equip you going ahead"\]

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

__I: MINISTRY AND FAMILIES TODAY__

1.The changing shape of family

2.Theology for family ministry

3.Family ministry today

__II: SEVEN HABITS FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FAMILY MINISTRY__

4.Be strategic

5.Be supportive

6.Be collaborative.

7.Be intergenerational

8.Be missional

9.Be holy at home

10.Be reflective

Final thoughts

_Further reading and other resources_

_Notes_

Gail Adcock's _The Essential Guide to Family Ministry_ is just that. it is grounded in research, personal practitioning experience, deep listening and reflection and this is expressed in the content and structure of the book. The seven habits for highly successful family ministry are born out of insight and experience and are realistic and achievable. The book has reflective questions and theological reflections and can be used both as an exploration tool and a mirror to existing ministry. It is ideal for a book group, pastoral group, church, or leadership team to read and explore together to help develop new ministry with and among families or to review existing ministry. It is essential for those who want to understand context and where to start in family ministry as well as those who are already on the journey.

__Penny Fuller, Children, Youth and Family Co-ordinator The Connexional Team__

Families don’t come in one size – nor does family ministry. In this much-needed book, Adcock lifts the lid on the theological underpinning and practical outworking of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. She lays out the map of family ministry and invites churches to explore theology and practice before planning their journey of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. Whether your church is just starting this journey, or has been on it for some time, there is plenty here to refresh your vision, understanding, strategy and practice.

__Mary Hawes, National Children and Youth Adviser, Church of England__

Gail Adcock’s work is timely in a country facing uncertainty and turbulence, when we need to nurture unity. Scratch the surface, and we find that creating and building family remains of utmost importance to most people across all ages. The author’s emphasis on adopting a family-style intergenerational approach as a priority is prophetic and life-giving, not only for the flourishing of church community, but for the health of society as a whole.

__Caroline Dollard, Marriage and Family Life Adviser, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales__

Whether you’re starting out working with families or you’ve been working in the field for a while, this well-researched book of cultural and theological reflection combined with practical wisdom will help you develop impactful ministry with families.

__Victoria Beech, creator of GodVenture__

Family ministry can be such a nebulous concept for churches to grapple with. What are it’s boundaries? Is there even anything left for the rest of the church leadership to focus on once we’ve listed everything we think the family ministry worker should be doing? In this clear and concise book, Gail Adcock helps churches think theologically and strategically to define family ministry for their setting. A must read for all church leaders as well as their family ministry teams.

__Sue Price, Hand in Hand Children’s and Family Ministry Conference Director, Kingsway CLC Trust__

Gail’s extensive knowledge and experience offers strong foundational principles and examples of good working practice to resource family ministry. Covering aspects such as the changes within family life and its impact on church life and ministry is helpful to set a base from which the reader would be able to apply the material in a way that is relevant to their context. Whether a leader or church is just starting out or has years of experience, this book will be a valuable addition for use now and to be revisited as it offers such a wealth of material that can be referred back to, enabling family ministry to be reviewed and adapted to ensure it remains effective and relevant whatever the setting.

__Jane Butcher, Children and Families Pioneer, BRF__

A comprehensive guide providing a bedrock of information to all those involved in the essential work of family ministry

Gail Adcock is Family Ministry Development Officer with the Methodist Church GB, equipping and resourcing those working with families across the UK. She has a primary education background, was family pastor at Stopsley Baptist Church for ten years and completed an MA in Children and Family Ministry in 2013.

The Essential Guide to Family Ministry

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