Family Ministry Field Guide: How Your Church Can Equip Parents to Make Disciples

by Timothy Paul Jones

Scripture calls parents to train and nurture their children's faith. How can churches best equip families to disciple their children? Family ministry expert Dr. Timothy Paul Jones gives church leaders a practical plan to equip parents to be the primary faith trainers in their children's lives, moving beyond mere programming into genuine spiritual transformation. This resource is for leaders in the trenches--those Based on solid research, this field guide unpacks how real-life churches can narrow the gap between present reality and the biblical ideal of faith-nurturing families.

Genres: Family, Church, Parenting, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Discipleship

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2011

About the author

Timothy Paul Jones is an American evangelical scholar known for his work in apologetics and family ministry. He serves as the C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jones has authored influential texts defending the historical reliability of the New Testament and has promoted a model of “family-equipping ministry,” which balances family discipleship with age-specific church programs. His apologetics have evolved from evidential to presuppositional approaches, emphasizing the role of the church’s moral witness and care for the marginalized. He has been recognized for books such as Misquoting Truth, How We Got the Bible, and In Church as It Is in Heaven, the latter promoting multiethnic church communities. Jones is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and has been praised as a leading voice in engaging both secular critics and intra-faith debates. He and his wife Rayann have four adopted children.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading it as assigned by our Pastor. A great concept that can be summarized thusly: parents, not the church, are the primary disciplers of their children. Jones adds many stories and survey results to make his case, which adds to the length and redundancy of the book. This is not bad but fits with my bias about modern writers that they are never content with what the Word of God says but must embellish it with feelings and stories. He never really gives specifics on how to do it but comes close. He discusses faith talks and walks with your children and suggests some ways to do it. Perhaps committing parents to daily Bible reading and prayer with their childrencould build the results he desires more simply. But good information for the church.

[David Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable resource for churches working to equip parents for the task of disciple-making in the home. Family Ministry is defined as "the process of intentionally and persistently coordinating a ministry's proclamation and practices so that parents are acknowledged, trained, and held accountable as primary disciple-makers in their children's lives" (33).

Jones distinguishes the family-equipping model (the name for his model) from the family-based model (which tends to add events or create programs for families to do together) and from the family-integrated model (which typically dissolves age-differentiated programs and does everything together). All three of these models are reactions to the segmented-programmatic model, which sees formation as happening best in the context of others of the same age and which treats youth and children's ministers/directors as bearing primary responsibility for the spiritual formation of youth and children.

The turn toward some sort of family ministry has been good, of course. Researchers started telling us in the 1980s and 1990s that parents have far more power than the church does where spiritual formation and lasting influence are concerned. And around the same time the discipline of pastoral theology started re-emphasizing the biblical calling on pastors to equip the saints for ministry. These two trends have merged to create a niche market for family-ministry books and resources.

But Jones does a good job in this book of advocating for family-equipping ministry in a realistic way. It's about a change of culture, and change of culture doesn't happen overnight. In short, he argues that the church must equip parents for "faith talks" (basically, some sort of regular devotional time at home), "faith walks" (conversations that happen in the car, going to bed, at the store, or wherever), and "faith processes" (which comprises both rites of passage as kids mature and also one-on-one time with kids over Scripture). His practical suggestions are helpful throughout.

Jones's greatest strengths are in four general emphases: (1) his call not to create any new programs or events for parents but instead to tailor existing programs and events so they can train, involve, and equip parents; (2) his clear recognition that families can't just be given more tasks to include in their schedules but that all practices must be thoroughly contextualized in the larger story of Scripture; (3) the need to see family discipleship not as the goal but as a significant, God-appointed means to the fulfillment of the Church's mission ("the gospel is to be rehearsed in our homes and reinforced in our churches so that it can be revealed with integrity to the world" (144)); (4) the need for a big vision that looks to the future with hope. He's worth quoting at length on this.

"[Family-equipping ministry] is not the ending--far from it! It is the beginning of a bigger and better story for your ministry. This story is bigger because it calls parents to see their children in light of God's great story line of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. It is better because the goal is not simply healthy families for the church, bigger events for the community, or better ethics for the world. The goal is Jesus, the center is the gospel, and the family is a means for revealing the gospel now and for passing the gospel from one generation to the next. You may not see the fruit of your family ministry in your lifetime--and that's okay. When it comes to family ministry, multi-generational faithfulness matters far more than momentary success. God has called you to become a minister to generations yet unborn, an equipper who makes disciples with the future in mind" (191).

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the most helpful book I've read on how to implement family ministry into the modern church. Many things I have read about building family ministry rely on developing programs or events that help jumpstart family ministry OR essentially just present the need and assume parents will make time and be disciplined to do it. Jones' book gives the perfect middle ground that doesn't put pressure to develop new things, but to change the focus of your existing ministries to center on how parents are the primary disciplers of their children. What's even better is that at the end of each section, Jones gives very practical next steps for how you can begin to implement the principles discussed in the book. I read through it very quickly and enjoyed it, but will certainly be working through it slowly with other leaders and parents in the near future.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another work that I had to read for my seminary course on discipleship and family ministry. While most of this work was covered through lectures in the class, the book itself is a good resource if you are looking for help in equipping parents to be the primary disciple makers of their children (as Scripture actually lays out in Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6). The book itself is an easy, quick read with suggestions and helpful guides at the end of each chapter to help put these practices into place.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to learn “why” family ministry should be a church’s focus and mission. Wasn’t as concrete on “how”, but with a group of committed people intent on making some serious changes this book could start you in the right direction. I wouldn’t call it a Field Guide, hence three stars instead of four.
I would recommend this book for anyone who needs a foundational vision for family ministry, and I’d encourage you to grab a few people to read the book with you.

[Dylan Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wholistic View of Family and Church

Although I am incredibly appreciative of the youth groups that I grew up in and the role of spiritual formation that they had on me, my parents remain the greatest shapers of my soul during that time. The need to recognize parent’s God given roles and implement church strategies which do likewise is high. Jones lays out both the rational and a practical strategy to get churches started in doing just that.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on youth ministry I have read in a long time. It provides a well rounded approach to understanding the importance and application of Family Ministry into the local church.

I highly recommend this book for youth pastors, Sunday school teachers and pastors. It is an easy read with tons of practical applications.

[Kelly Stanson McMullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book for church leadership. Since I am not in leadership, I was wondering, "where can I find a church that puts this into practice?" I love the idea of the church equipping, training, and involving parents in discipling their children, and wish more churches did this. As a parent, I was able to glean a few new things for my own family, but it's definitely geared to pastors.

[Eric Fults · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book for transitioning your church/ministry to focus on family-equipping ministries. Great for what it is! Definitely designed for those in vocational ministry/volunteers for family ministries, but there are great takeaways for anyone interested in the subject.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I read about family ministry, and wanted to revisit it this year. It didn't disappoint. It was as challenging, gospel centered and practical as I remember. For anyone wanting to focus on family ministry, they should read this book!

[Sarah Bowdell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall concept I feel like is important. But the book as overall very repetitive. The first several chapter said the same thing over and over just in different ways. The book wasn’t even 200 pages and could have honestly been less

[Saolomon Mouacheupao · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Read with family ministry team at church. Really helpful framework for helping us move from a program driven approach to a family equipping approach. Not a family integrated view, which for some that will be great and others a big bummer.

[Jeremy Pynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good resource for ministries that will help equip parents to become the primary disciple makers of their children.

[Dwain Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a great book on family ministry and its implementation in the local church.

[Cole Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive resource concerning the family-equipping model for family ministry: a biblical and balanced model.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and inspiring to see change for gods glory

[Jake Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not great.

[JPaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reiterates what we've always known, that parents are by God's design, intended to be the primary disciplers of their children. The longtime assumption among many youth pastors is that parents choose not to fulfill this God ordained duty because there are paid professionals at the church who will do it. The author confronts this assumption with the results of his research which offers another explanation as to why parents are disengaged from this responsibility. He found that many church going parents said no one ever told them that they were supposed to be discipling their children and no one ever showed them how to disciple their children. He also pointed out that many church programs fail to include parents in the disciple making process. He points to three family ministry philosophies: Family based, Family equipping, and family integrated. His focus is the family equipping model. This model does seem to be the happy medium. Family based seems overall lacking in parental involvement and dependent on adding even more activities to an already busy ministry schedule. Family integration, while very appealing would almost seem to require the total breakdown and rebuilding of a churches functioning. The family equipping model focuses on parents as the primary disciplers in the already existing programming of a church. The idea is to rethink the programming and ask how can we involve, train, or equip parents as disciplers in this program. I am convinced after 19 years of student ministry that this, while a lofty goal is one worth pursuing.The author was well researched on the matter and warns that this is not a quick fix and warns of some pitfalls he has observed if churches are not careful in making the transition to a family equipping model. He exhorts readers to remember our identity is in Jesus Christ and His gospel, not in the model of ministry we adhere to.
I read the Kindle version and it seemed it wasn't properly formatted which resulted in some of the text in the boxes not being readable. I will most likely purchase a hard copy for future re reading.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Youth ministry in the church today needs to change.

Family Ministry Field Guide offers as good of an alternative as I have seen! Timothy Paul Jones takes a Gospel-centered, family-focused approach to discipling children and youth. He does an admirable job of arguing from the biblical narrative, rather than from the standpoint of "retention rates" that are oft-cited and, in his estimation, over-blown and poorly researched.

The one qualm one might have with Family Ministry Field Guide is that it is not ultimately a field guide. When I think of a field guide, I think of a practical how-to book, with steps and procedures to help one implement the topic at hand. Jones stops short of this. Admittedly, he does so from a sense of allowing the reader to contextualize his principles and come up with their own plan. He also gives testimonials about how some others have implemented a Family-Equipping Model of ministry. Still, I was looking for more specific suggestions on how to transition our student ministry from a family-friendly model to a family-equipping model.

Still, I rate this book with the highest rating. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give it is that it has helped shape how I invest in my family. I see myself as the primary discipler of my children and I am thankful to have my local church partner in that process with me!

[Matt Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource on family ministry emphasising that parents are the primary disciplers of their children (with the church fulfilling the role of equipping, encouraging and complementing the parent's ministry) and explaining the centrality of the gospel in that discipling. Includes an equal mix of theology and practical outworking.
I wouldn't necessarily agree with every bit of implementation, but the author repeatedly makes the point that implementing this approach will look different in every church.
Throughout the book, Jones also paints an inspiring picture of the long term goals of parenting and children's ministry - to influence generations to come with a love for God and for the gospel.

[Kevin Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on family ministry in the church I have read yet! It makes very clear that the Gospel is the centerpiece of the church, not the family, which is something I really appreciate. A lot of books I've read make it sound like the church only has families in it. However, the book does a great job of also pointing out the absolute importance of equipping parents to raise their children, and how the church can partner in that without trying to take over the job itself. If you're interested at all in family ministry, or if you are a parent in a church, do yourself a favor and read this book!

[Nathan Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great challenge for ministry workers. This probably needs to be required reading for youth pastors and children's workers. The book is both gospel-centered and family equipping. The author shows how much of our parenting falls within the first part of God's story (Creation and Fall), which why we either idolize our kids or focus too much on sin. The church needs to equip families to see their family unit as a part of the entire gospel and His working out of the gospel to the world. Highly recommended!

[Tim Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic defense and explanation of a family equipping model within the church. While most agree that parents should be the primary disciplers of their own children, there is debate within the church of how the church can work with the family encourage and help the parents disciple children. This book defends a view that values age specific ministries without being overly programmatic and well defends the importance of euipping parents to play the lead role.

[Ryan Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this book was one of the better books on Family Ministry. Not only does Jones give a theological view of family ministry, but he helps the reader integrate family into God's mission. A must-read for church leaders!

[Jeff Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best work I've read on family ministry. Thoroughly researched, remarkably practical, and enjoyable to read. If you're a pastor, parent, or kids' ministry director make sure to put this book on your reading list.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book in contributing to the conversation of the family's job to engage in ministry. I think that he defends the position well. Thought it rambled at times and could have given better elaboration for how the church can equip parents.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wham, bam! This'n's good!

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that offers some practical suggestions on how to improve ministry towards families.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class. Spring 2015.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to guide churches in training parents in discipling their children. It's not a program, but a life style of supporting parents in helping their children grow spiritually.