SIX CHARACTERISTICS
of a Vibrant Family Ministry: Part 1 of 2
C
HURCH LEADERS must develop a clear understand-
ing of the doctrine of the Church (known as ecclesiol-
ogy) and its application for ministry to children and youth
in order to establish a vibrant ministry. The Bible has much
to say about the characteristics of a healthy church. Sound
doctrine protects against pastoral malpractice, Christians
who minimize the Church, or the temptation to absorb
substitute methods for discipleship such as pragmatism,
psychology, and science.
• Pragmatism pollutes the Church with a fixation on what
works as the measure of success. With good intentions,
we do whatever it takes to attract as many people as
possible to the Church, but we unknowingly compro-
mise God’s Word in an effort to be contemporary, rele-
vant, and reach the world.
• Psychology subtly replaces God’s Word as a source of
truth for Christian living and biblical counseling. With
big hearts, we want to provide help for others, but we
unknowingly undermine the sufficiency of Scripture
with behaviorism due to the faulty belief that the Bible
provides direction for salvation but not for practical
living and problem-solving help.
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• Science substitutes man’s word as the authority for truth
over God’s Word. The Church, in an attempt to reach
the culture, has tried to merge secular views of science
(such as evolution) with the Bible. The campaign to
make the Church “contemporary” in the world’s eyes
has resulted in it being one step behind culture. We look
awkward in the process and drift into relativistic ways
of thinking. We’re less willing to fight for the truth so
as not to alienate or offend the seeking non-Christian
or de-churched person who attends the attraction-de-
signed weekend service.
We desperately need to hear what God says about the
Church and apply His principles to reach and disciple the
next generation. Rather than pragmatic approaches and
psychology solutions that dominate our thinking, we need
to ask God, “What are your instructions for the Church?”
Jesus established the Church and brings about growth. Jesus
purchased the Church with His blood, which means it is not
ours to manipulate. The Church is God’s means to defend
truth, declare the gospel, and disciple the nations. We need
to hear God’s plan for and His methods to lead His Church.
The characteristics of a vibrant family ministry are