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Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide
Voted a 2000 Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy! In today's fragmented and frenetic world, families face all kinds of pressures. Accordingly, those ministering with families need a multifaceted, well-informed sense of both the Christian purpose of family and the complex world our families inhabit. Writing out of years of experience in the church and academy, Diana Garland here offers just such a broad and comprehensive introduction to this crucially important subject. Family Ministry begins with several chapters placing the family in its modern context, then considers the history of families and their interaction with the church. Having thoroughly contextualized the family and its concerns as they are now understood, Garland dedicates three chapters to biblical understandings of the family. The remaining ten chapters of her book are devoted to the practice of family ministry, including guidance on promoting strong families and dealing with crises such as divorce and spousal abuse. All this, based on careful research and seasoned reflection, makes Family Ministry not only a key text for students of family ministry but also an indispensable guide and resource for pastors and those in the helping professions.
629 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1999
14 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Diana R. Garland
17 books6 followersDiana S. Richmond Garland
More than 40 years ago, I began my practice as a social worker in church-related settings-- first a Baptist child and family services agency, then a Christian counseling center, and later, a Catholic residential treatment home for adolescent girls. In those settings, I began to try to find ways to equip congregations to support and strengthen families, to build communities of care and advocacy for the most vulnerable members of our communities. That work became my vocation when I became a social work educator in 1979. As a researcher and social work professor and consultant to congregations, I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the development of congregations' family and community ministries. Now I love watching my former students take paths beyond what I ever dreamed to lead congregations to be transformational agents in the lives of children, families, and communities, not just locally but all over the world. I laugh a lot these days in sheer amazement--in those early days, I could never have imagined a school like Baylor Social Work, charting new paths for the church and her work in the world. These books tell the story of what I have learned from families and congregations about the Christian adventure called ministry.
More than 40 years ago, I began my practice as a social worker in church-related settings-- first a Baptist child and family services agency, then a Christian counseling center, and later, a Catholic residential treatment home for adolescent girls. In those settings, I began to try to find ways to equip congregations to support and strengthen families, to build communities of care and advocacy for the most vulnerable members of our communities. That work became my vocation when I became a social work educator in 1979. As a researcher and social work professor and consultant to congregations, I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the development of congregations' family and community ministries. Now I love watching my former students take paths beyond what I ever dreamed to lead congregations to be transformational agents in the lives of children, families, and communities, not just locally but all over the world. I laugh a lot these days in sheer amazement--in those early days, I could never have imagined a school like Baylor Social Work, charting new paths for the church and her work in the world. These books tell the story of what I have learned from families and congregations about the Christian adventure called ministry.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 27, 2025
Emphasis on comprehensive! This thing had it all. Best chapters were 1) the first three where Garland lays the groundwork for our current understandings of families (and misconceptions) and a biblical framework for families; 2) her chapter on power in the context of marriage (fiery and opinionated, which I appreciate); and 3) her chapter on anger/forgiveness.
The book is full of great illustrations and ways to make sense of family.
The book is full of great illustrations and ways to make sense of family.
November 24, 2012
Our families are either a source of great joy or great pain for us. Probably both. Families are the context in which we learn to trust and love and grow and where we learn to be human. Churches and family ministry are resources for families which help nurture families and help them grow. But what is the purpose of family ministry? What is the nature of family and how do churches support families and help them fulfill their calling?
Diana R. Garland, dean of the Baylor School of Social Work, wrote Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide to help family ministries support Christians as they live out their faith through their families. She draws on her own experience as a social work educator, researcher, family ministry consultant, congregant and family member (17). The first edition of this book won the 1999 Academy of Parish Clergy book of the year to Family Ministry. This edition substantially reorganizes the original material, integrating the biblical content with the social sciences and the theoretical with the practical (this edition also provides indexes which were missing). These changes make this book slightly longer than the first edition (656 pages). Having not read the first edition, I can't say whether this edition improves upon Garland's earlier effort. However I can tell you that this is hands down the most helpful book on ministry to families. Period.
Family Ministry is divided into four sections. In the first section Garland sketches the American concept of family in history and the current forms of family. She relates that to the history of Christian thought and biblical teaching on family. The sociological, historical and biblical data demonstrate that family is a fluid concept which has changed over time, often taking different forms. The 'traditional' family consisting of a breadwinner father, homemaker mother and dependent children has not been the reality for 'more than 5% of Christian history'(40). Within the current American context, families are increasing defined by persons choosing to be family, the purpose of family is no longer birthing and raising children and marriage is' no longer the exclusive social location for sexual partnering (48).' The Christian and Biblical understanding of family affirms monogamous marriage is the proper context for sex but also challenges the 'traditional' definition of family. Jesus relativizes commitment to families of origin and recasts family as the community of faith. In light of this, Garland proposes:
These three prongs of Family ministry provide the structure for the rest of the book.
In section two, Garland probes family formation and how the congregational community can support families. She discusses how families relate to one another, how families develop, how physical and social spaces nurture individuals and families, the impact of stress, crises and castastrophe on family life and how cultural and ethnic identity inform our understanding of 'family' and our expectations. Garland begins this section by telling the story of one group of individuals who become family for one another and discusses how the concept of Christian family both builds on cultural definitions of family while remaining distinct (15). She presses the notion that families develop in stages (linearly) and suggests that families develop cyclically (as phases of relationship). Her exploration of how culture shapes our understanding and expectations of family also reveal the way in which rituals, culture and shared stories nurture give families their identity and nurture them. This has implications for congregational life.
Section three is about interpersonal dynamics within the family and how family ministry can help families become more Christlike. Garland talks about the dynamics of communication, conflict and anger, forgiveness and repentance and intimacy. She explores the nature of power and roles, arguing for a more egalitarian approach to family relationships. She also discusses the appropriate and most effective forms of discipline and the problem of family violence and how ministers should address the issue of abuse
Section four is where Garland explores how families fit within the mission of the church and how families and churches mutually support one another in extending God's kingdom. Congregations support family life when they have hospitable worship services which welcomes and includes every member of the family, nurtures their formation, offers pastoral care and leadership. Garland also provides a template for assessing congregations, neighborhoods and evaluating family ministries. She concludes by providing a number of examples where congregations have provided programs and ministries which nurture neighbors and families and invites families into the work of ministry.
Generally I find that certain words in a book title over promise. When a book says it is a 'comprehensive guide' I wonder if it can possibly deliver on its promise to say everything that needs to be said about its topic. However Garland largely succeeds. She has written a book which is practical, theologically astute, makes good use of sociological research and addresses many of the dynamics of family life. Not everyone will agree with her conclusions (i.e. my complementarian friends would likely be unconvinced by her biblical defense of egalitarianism), but she is a great dialogue partner and she weds insights from the social sciences with a keen understanding of the mission of the church. Much of the research which this book builds on is summarized in these pages but an extensive bibliography points readers to other resources where they could dig deeper into the topic in a more focused way. If anything is left out of this 'comprehensive guide' it is the way technology is re-shaping family life. The internet, the ubiquity of smartphones and other devices have impacted our relationships with one another. Perhaps in a third edition.
I think this is hands down the best and most comprehensive book on family ministry. I highly recommend to all those who minister to families. That includes more than family ministers, children's ministers, Christian ed directors, and youth pastors. Everyone doing the work of the ministry needs to have an understanding of how families fit within the mission of the church and what the church can do to support them. I found this book to be tremendously helpful and their are sections which I plan on revisiting. It assumes basic knowledge of sociology of marriage and family relationships but is written in an engaging and accessible way. This is a great resource and I am grateful for Garland's insights and thoughtfulness.
Thank you to IVP Academic for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for this review.
Diana R. Garland, dean of the Baylor School of Social Work, wrote Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide to help family ministries support Christians as they live out their faith through their families. She draws on her own experience as a social work educator, researcher, family ministry consultant, congregant and family member (17). The first edition of this book won the 1999 Academy of Parish Clergy book of the year to Family Ministry. This edition substantially reorganizes the original material, integrating the biblical content with the social sciences and the theoretical with the practical (this edition also provides indexes which were missing). These changes make this book slightly longer than the first edition (656 pages). Having not read the first edition, I can't say whether this edition improves upon Garland's earlier effort. However I can tell you that this is hands down the most helpful book on ministry to families. Period.
Family Ministry is divided into four sections. In the first section Garland sketches the American concept of family in history and the current forms of family. She relates that to the history of Christian thought and biblical teaching on family. The sociological, historical and biblical data demonstrate that family is a fluid concept which has changed over time, often taking different forms. The 'traditional' family consisting of a breadwinner father, homemaker mother and dependent children has not been the reality for 'more than 5% of Christian history'(40). Within the current American context, families are increasing defined by persons choosing to be family, the purpose of family is no longer birthing and raising children and marriage is' no longer the exclusive social location for sexual partnering (48).' The Christian and Biblical understanding of family affirms monogamous marriage is the proper context for sex but also challenges the 'traditional' definition of family. Jesus relativizes commitment to families of origin and recasts family as the community of faith. In light of this, Garland proposes:
The church is community on mission , a community that attempts to embody the characteristics of Jesus Christ. With that community on mission as the context, family ministry is any activity that directly or indirectly (1) forms families in the congregational community; (2) increases the Christlikeness of the family relationships of Christians; or (3) equips and supports families for the work to which they are called together (120).
These three prongs of Family ministry provide the structure for the rest of the book.
In section two, Garland probes family formation and how the congregational community can support families. She discusses how families relate to one another, how families develop, how physical and social spaces nurture individuals and families, the impact of stress, crises and castastrophe on family life and how cultural and ethnic identity inform our understanding of 'family' and our expectations. Garland begins this section by telling the story of one group of individuals who become family for one another and discusses how the concept of Christian family both builds on cultural definitions of family while remaining distinct (15). She presses the notion that families develop in stages (linearly) and suggests that families develop cyclically (as phases of relationship). Her exploration of how culture shapes our understanding and expectations of family also reveal the way in which rituals, culture and shared stories nurture give families their identity and nurture them. This has implications for congregational life.
Section three is about interpersonal dynamics within the family and how family ministry can help families become more Christlike. Garland talks about the dynamics of communication, conflict and anger, forgiveness and repentance and intimacy. She explores the nature of power and roles, arguing for a more egalitarian approach to family relationships. She also discusses the appropriate and most effective forms of discipline and the problem of family violence and how ministers should address the issue of abuse
Section four is where Garland explores how families fit within the mission of the church and how families and churches mutually support one another in extending God's kingdom. Congregations support family life when they have hospitable worship services which welcomes and includes every member of the family, nurtures their formation, offers pastoral care and leadership. Garland also provides a template for assessing congregations, neighborhoods and evaluating family ministries. She concludes by providing a number of examples where congregations have provided programs and ministries which nurture neighbors and families and invites families into the work of ministry.
Generally I find that certain words in a book title over promise. When a book says it is a 'comprehensive guide' I wonder if it can possibly deliver on its promise to say everything that needs to be said about its topic. However Garland largely succeeds. She has written a book which is practical, theologically astute, makes good use of sociological research and addresses many of the dynamics of family life. Not everyone will agree with her conclusions (i.e. my complementarian friends would likely be unconvinced by her biblical defense of egalitarianism), but she is a great dialogue partner and she weds insights from the social sciences with a keen understanding of the mission of the church. Much of the research which this book builds on is summarized in these pages but an extensive bibliography points readers to other resources where they could dig deeper into the topic in a more focused way. If anything is left out of this 'comprehensive guide' it is the way technology is re-shaping family life. The internet, the ubiquity of smartphones and other devices have impacted our relationships with one another. Perhaps in a third edition.
I think this is hands down the best and most comprehensive book on family ministry. I highly recommend to all those who minister to families. That includes more than family ministers, children's ministers, Christian ed directors, and youth pastors. Everyone doing the work of the ministry needs to have an understanding of how families fit within the mission of the church and what the church can do to support them. I found this book to be tremendously helpful and their are sections which I plan on revisiting. It assumes basic knowledge of sociology of marriage and family relationships but is written in an engaging and accessible way. This is a great resource and I am grateful for Garland's insights and thoughtfulness.
Thank you to IVP Academic for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for this review.
May 4, 2017
What a comprehensive book! Garland's "history of the family" chapters in American and in the church were very illuminating. She does not dig deeply into the practicalities of every aspect of family ministry, but casts a compelling vision of missional family ministry which is open to families of all types. Garland does a good job of describing the strengths of past decades, mourning the loss of the past, and understanding the opportunity of a new era. She straddles prescriptive and descriptive paradigms for families rather well. Although, there were times I wish she was a bit more prescriptive. Senior pastors, children's pastors, and youth pastors all should read this book so they can learn how to better serve and mobilize families within their churches.
April 30, 2023
This was suggested to me as a text for a class in family ministry I teach. Our college is moving to all electronic texts and a book I had used previously was not available as an e-book.
This text, by Diana Garland of Baylor University, is outstanding. It covers many aspects of family dynamics before covering how congregations can address these dynamics through ministry programs and initiatives. Highly recommended.
This text, by Diana Garland of Baylor University, is outstanding. It covers many aspects of family dynamics before covering how congregations can address these dynamics through ministry programs and initiatives. Highly recommended.
December 2, 2017
The book is great, but it should take time and the reader should make sure that each section is not only read but understood and be ready to be practiced.
September 6, 2011
I enjoyed this book tremendously. Author is not an LCMS Lutheran, so there were some theological differences. Some decision theology creeped in, but not bad. Also, the book is a little dated. A revision might talk about the benefits and cautions of social media more. But this is an outstanding resource. It talks about what exactly a family is and the many different types of family. God loves families and families are important. "God sets the lonely in families" (Ps 68:6, NIV). What does a strong family look like? It talks about the role of families through history and the church's role and influence on family life through history. It talks about the Biblical foundations for families and Family Life Ministries. How can the church support families in passing faith to the next generations, help keep families strong and healthy and help families survive in times of stress and crisis. Families have always been under attack by Satan and are no less so today.
"Christians should purpose that their families become clear witnesses to the grace and love of our Lord. We aim to demonstrate the transforming power of God's love in human relationships. These relationships transform the world aorund them. The families of Christians have a mission to fulfill. Their communities should experience them as a transformative presence. God has a purpose for families; to be expressed not just in our private lives with one another but also in our relationships in the world around us."
Family is important in our church. We would not exist without strong families and we want to support families.
But it was also interesting to see the church as a family and to consider how this would impact a church's life together.
For a textbook, it wasn't tremendously difficult to read and certainly points to a lot of other areas to study. Very enjoyable and helpful!
"Christians should purpose that their families become clear witnesses to the grace and love of our Lord. We aim to demonstrate the transforming power of God's love in human relationships. These relationships transform the world aorund them. The families of Christians have a mission to fulfill. Their communities should experience them as a transformative presence. God has a purpose for families; to be expressed not just in our private lives with one another but also in our relationships in the world around us."
Family is important in our church. We would not exist without strong families and we want to support families.
But it was also interesting to see the church as a family and to consider how this would impact a church's life together.
For a textbook, it wasn't tremendously difficult to read and certainly points to a lot of other areas to study. Very enjoyable and helpful!
July 12, 2013
Overall the book is great, but a long read topping at 601 pages. For me, the middle of the book was difficult, mostly where Garland wrote repeatedly about different ministries of the church and also different ways to survey (this is the only reason I did not give it 5 out of 5 really).
My only other qualm was that despite Garland speaking about singles and different types of families besides nuclear families, she primarily is writing considering these families, though I am not sure if she is even aware this comes to the surface. I get the feeling she tried to fight it and be as inclusive as she could with families, but I still felt singles, single-parents, and step-families were mostly neglected despite her attempts to do otherwise. She did include small sections, but considering 25-33% are single in the church and there is a divorce rate of about 50% it seems those should have had more attention in the book.
Finally, I think Garland could have covered this better by titling the book Community Ministry instead of Family Ministry. Overall great book with lots of information psychologically, sociologically, and theologically. I cant imagine how much work she did to write this book!
My only other qualm was that despite Garland speaking about singles and different types of families besides nuclear families, she primarily is writing considering these families, though I am not sure if she is even aware this comes to the surface. I get the feeling she tried to fight it and be as inclusive as she could with families, but I still felt singles, single-parents, and step-families were mostly neglected despite her attempts to do otherwise. She did include small sections, but considering 25-33% are single in the church and there is a divorce rate of about 50% it seems those should have had more attention in the book.
Finally, I think Garland could have covered this better by titling the book Community Ministry instead of Family Ministry. Overall great book with lots of information psychologically, sociologically, and theologically. I cant imagine how much work she did to write this book!
May 29, 2014
As the subtitle says, this is a comprehensive observation of family ministry. Diana Garland begins with the premise of the Church being absent from real family ministry. In other words, as families have changed, many churches have remained the same. The author makes a strong case for redefining family ministry from a congregational perspective. Although the book would be beneficial for all, there is much data and research included. For that reason, those in professional ministry would perhaps benefit the most.
May 2, 2016
A massive book with so so many different helpful approaches. Garland's model for ministry is a Family Life ministry that is best described as a blend of the family-integrated model and Christian social services. Her biblical foundation of the family is excellent, but one does have to wonder about some practices which smack of liberal Protestant social gospel and lack a clear evangelistic message. I think there's value in helping others but when that helping lacks the Gospel then we have a problem as Christians.
March 9, 2013
transforming ideas in family ministry - worth reading cover to cover!
October 7, 2017
I read this book for seminary (it's huge), and you will not find a more well-rounded and all-inclusive text on family ministry. It combines theory and practice to provide both the why and how of family ministry, and the personal stories give good examples. Definitely a must-read for any ministry leader.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews