Oct. 3, 2007
Book List on a Theme Part 1: Family Integrated Churches
Posted in Church Life
I read a lot of books on many different subjects, and I like to record the titles I have read as I finish them. I have a wonderful little journal called a Booklover's Diary for just such a purpose. I find it very helpful and valuable to keep track of what and how much I am reading at any given point. I have noticed that I often read several books on a particular theme. There are certain subjects of which I like to be as informed as possible.
Over the last year or so, one of the areas I have done extensive reading on is the subject of family-integrated churches. I first learned about the family-integrated church "movement" from the Vision Forum website. Since then, I have read several books and listened to a number of CDs, as well as using many online resources to extend my understanding of the topic. My husband has also done much studying in the same area. Following is a list of some of the resources we found especially helpful in learning more about this important area. If you are unfamiliar with the idea of family-integrated churches, I would encourage you to read some of the online articles and other related links I have included. If you already know what I am talking about when I mention family-iintegrated worship but would like to learn more, please follow some of the links and use one or more of the invaluable resources to become more informed on this Scripturally essential area.
National Center for Family Integrated Churches This is a ministry of Vision Forum which seeks to "work for godly change within pre-existing local churches, and to help plant family-integrated local churches"
Uniting Church and Home by Eric Wallace An excellent book on the whys and wherefores of family-integrated worship
Family-Integrated Church by J. Mark Fox A wonderfully encouraging book written by the pastor of a family-integrated church
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham, Jr. Highly recommended! A life-changing book
Critique of Modern Youth Ministry by Christopher Schlect Written by a former youth pastor exposing the problems with youth ministry
Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman For the parent who is completely clueless about how in the world they could possibly get their children to sit through an entire church service--I've been there (I still am on some days)
The Family: Together in God's Presence A wonderful (and very practical) atrticle on families worshiping together (also see The Children, The Church, and the Chosen)
The Age-Integrated Church A very good introduction to age-integrated church structure (and interestingly enough, written by a 16 year-old young man)
How Modern Churches Are Harming Families My husband and I listened to this CD exactly a year ago, and it became the catalyst to send us on a literally life-changing journey
The Role of Children in the Meeting of the Church Excellent treatment on the Biblical basis for children being present in the worship service
The History of the Sunday School Movement Eye-opening account of when and where the idea of Sunday school originated (it's not what most people would suspect)
I will be sharing more on this particular subject in the near future. This is an area that has become very dear to my heart and extremely important in our family life. I look forward to giving a little more details on how our family has been impacted by all this reading.
I also hope to share more book lists on other themes in the future.
Comments
Oct. 3, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by humpty
I have been intrigued by the family integrated concept and I have some real problems with most childrens' and youth programs that stick age groups together once again. I think that it would be almost impossible to change an existing church. I'm pretty sure,unless the pastor led out and gradually convinced his congregation, that most people would just have to find a new church that was built on the concept.
Last Sunday, our Sunday School class was talking about why there don't seem to be many, if any, women that would be considered Titus Two women in most churches. My teacher brought up that he thinks it is because of age-divided adult classes. So more tearing down of the family and the way God planned for young women to learn from older women. What have we done by dividing up the older from the younger?
You mentioned Parenting in the Pew. I have not read it, but it has been on my "to get" list. Robbie Castleman was one of my son's professors in college last year. She is a Prof. at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR - a good school if anyone is looking.
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Oct. 4, 2007 - random blogging...
Posted by OldPathsMom
I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts. My dh pastors a church here in KY (we're from NH though) and his focus leans more towards family integration in the church. It's a hard thing to break the mold though. People get set in their ways.
I had to LOL when I saw the title of your blog was "Bloom Where You're Planted" - my first thought was that I wish I were 'blooming' in Maine! lol
Have a great evening!
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Oct. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michelle32
I loved the book Parenting in the Pew!
We're still looking for a church home right now.
Thanks for sharing all these great links.
Michelle
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Oct. 15, 2007 - family integrated churches
Posted by 3boysinMaine
I have been following your posts for a while now and had a hunch you were going in this direction, :) I didn't know Vision Forum had so many great resources. I ordered their Bible curriculum Balancing the Sword for our family time. We like it. It is very thorough and compliments our devotional times. Thanks for sharing all these great book titles. I have been without a book for a few weeks now with no desire to pick one up nor look for one. With our baby coming soon, I'll have to check out these titles, since I'll be spending a lot of time on the couch nursing for the next few months!
Don't you just wish there was some easy answer to drawing the family back together in the church? I was the Christian Ed director of our church and found it to be so tiresome. I always felt like I was running this completely separate church just below the big church. A church, that hardly anyone felt was worth serving in. Could it be that family-integrated "church" is God's true design and the the true reason for our contempt of modern church services? I'm excited to take a look at these books and let God lead us. I'm particularly interested in the whole "youth ministry" and how family integrated youth ministry might look. My oldest son is 11 and I am not sure about putting him in a youth group. I'm afraid it's like putting a stumbling block between him and my husband by handing him over to a "Youth Director". We are not attending a church service right now, but we continue to fellowship with other believers who have stepped away from the "box" of religion.
Thanks for sharing these books!
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Oct. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by KayinMaine
These are all excellent comments and observations. It is a shame that so many churches in our day are holding so tenatiously to traditions of men. The most important question we should be asking on this subject is "What does God say about this?" It's quite clear in His Word that parents (and in many cases grandparents) are the ones given the responsibility for the spiritual training of their children.
I am glad this resource list has been an encouragement to many of you! I know all these resources were a tremendous blessing to my husband and me.
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