By Dr. Josh Mulvihill
SIX CHARACTERISTICS OF A
VIBRANT FAMILY MINISTRY
PART 2 OF 2
T
HE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH (known as eccle-
siology) and its application for ministry to children
and youth is essential in establishing a vibrant ministry. The
Bible has much to say about the characteristics of a healthy
church, and we will explore some of them in this article. In
part one, I examined three characteristics of a vibrant family
ministry. Vibrant family ministries assess ministry effective-
ness, have godly leadership, and have a plan for discipleship.
In part two, we will explore three more characteristics of a
vibrant family ministry: a systematic plan to teach doctrine
and apologetics, a multi-person disciple-making strategy,
and an unwavering commitment to the authority and suffi-
ciency of Scripture.
We desperately need to hear what God says about the
church and apply His principles to reach and disciple the
next generation. Rather than focusing primarily on prag-
matic approaches and psychology solutions, we need to ask
God, “What are your instructions for the church?” Jesus
established the church and brings growth. He purchased the
church with His blood, which means it is not ours to manip-
ulate. The church is God’s means to defend truth, declare the
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gospel, and disciple the nations. We need to hear God’s plan
for His church and His methods to lead it.
The characteristics of a vibrant family ministry are found
in the epistle of 2 Timothy. Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy
to explain how a local church is to be managed, to clarify
the role of a pastor, and to highlight important principles
for faithful shepherding. In the second letter, Paul’s great
concern is for Timothy and his continued faithfulness to
Jesus Christ. This letter provides a glimpse into the charac-
teristics that are necessary to take a young person and make
them into a lifelong disciple who has firm faith and a fruitful
ministry for Christ.
CHARACTERISTIC #4: A SYSTEMATIC PLAN TO TEACH
DOCTRINE AND APOLOGETICS (2 Timothy 3:14)
Paul’s goal for Timothy is firm belief. What leads to firm
belief? Paul mentions three things: what you learn, who you
learn from, and how you learn.
Paul states, “continue in what you have learned and have
firmly believed.” A disciple is a learner whose goal is to
become like Jesus. According to the Bible, learning is disci-