The following is a brief look at some biblical guidelines with discussion questions aimed at exploring issues related to family involvement in ministry.
Biblical guidance for family life and involvement in ministry:
Marriage:
- Basic information on the marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:22-6:4 / Colossians 3:18-21).
- Pricilla and Aquila as New Testament examples of a married couple in ministry (Acts 18:24-28; Romans 16:3-5a; 1 Corinthians. 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19).
- The issues of married ministry in the context of Paul’s recommendation of singleness as an easier lifestyle in rigorous ministry (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
Children:
- The Christian leader and family relationships (1 Timothy 3:2-5, 8-13).
- The poor examples of Eli and Samuel raising children in ministry (1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22-25; 8:1-5).
Discussion Questions:
- Does God call both husband and wife to Christian service?
- Does God also call children of Christian servants to be a part of family ministry while they are living with parents?
- In what ways can a spouse enhance the ministry of his/her partner?
- In what ways can a spouse cripple the ministry of his/her partner?
- What are the reasonable minimum expectations Christian people may have for a family who serves them in ministry?
- What sacrifices should ministry families reasonably expect to make for the sake of their ministry and their “flock”?
- What are the reasonable minimum expectations a ministry family may have toward their “flock” concerning their care, upkeep and well-being?
- What are some signals that active, public ministry should be scaled back or temporarily discontinued for the sake of family well-being?
- What types of training do ministry families need for effective long-term service?
- What issues should be discussed in line with what individual family members expect in ministry lifestyle?
- What habits and practices should ministry families develop to show appreciation for church volunteers and faithful members?
- What training and modeling should be provided to develop the practices of forbearance and forgiveness?
- Discuss the issues of rest, renewal and recreation in ministry.
- In what ways should congregations be trained in caring for ministry families?
- Discuss the issues of adequate (generous) salaries for paid staff; respecting staff time off; respecting certain areas of family privacy; allowing those in ministry to be “people in process”.
- What is the role of those in ministry to facilitate or present this training?
Michael Bogart
Michael Bogart
