FAMILYING: The relational processes the Spirit uses to form faith.
At Vibrant Faith, we are desperately aware that both of the institutions in our society that have historically functioned as the greenhouses for the nurture of faith—the church and the home – are experiencing tremendous change. Daily life for families has changed dramatically: the impact of social, technological and economic realities. The church often finds itself scrambling to respond and engage people, much less lead them. There is new urgency about the processes of faith formation.
That’s why we are proposing a new/old focus for engaging this reality: FAMILYING. We’ve been talking about it here for the last several weeks. Here’s a re-cap of what we mean by familying:
Familying focuses on the relational processes that are the vehicles the Spirit has always used for the formation of faith.
Familying has rich biblical and historical Christian roots. Jesus’ ministry from beginning to end a process of familying. The earliest glimpses we have of the Christian church are the stories of their familying.
Familying processes happen powerfully within both blood and non-blood relationships.
Familying happens most significantly in extended family groups. This is NOT and has never been the work of the parents or the nuclear family functioning alone.
Evangelism is a natural outcome of familying.
The FAMILY itself is not the end goal. Familying is for the sake of the God’s mission in world.
Programs that allow for multiple generations to be a part of a church community together can help the process of familying. But impact-rich Familying relationships don’t end with the program.
Familying happens through the kind Developmental Relationships as described by Search Institute: Express Care, Challenge Growth, Provide Support, Share Power, Expand Horizons. Many adults, however, do not know how to have these kind of relationships.
Familying creates developmental relationships for the sake of vibrant faith in Jesus Christ.
Familying can happen as powerfully through local faith communities and families as well as camps and other para-church organizations.
Familying does just happen. But there is every sign that it is “just happening” for fewer people, especially children.
Familying is a deep, natural human desire. This desire is often at the root of misguided attempts to fill one’s life.
At Vibrant Faith, we believe that as local faith communities are able to structure themselves for familying they will thrive.
Here are FIVE FAMILYING questions for your ministry:
- Who in my church is in need of FAMILYING?
- Who in my church community is being intentionally “FAMILIED” by my church?
- What systems or programs in my church intentionally create space for FAMILYING by your church community?
- How could my church use our skills in FAMILYING to connect with our community?
- What skills will you need to teach to help others to FAMILY?
Vibrant Faith Ministries 