Family and Church

In the past several years, we have been searching the Scriptures, thinking, praying, reading, etc. about God's view of the family, and particularly how the family and local church should work together. Like some other issues of life, it is interesting to realize how past traditions and ways of thinking have sometimes caused us to gloss over and miss things in Scripture (or vice versa: read things into Scripture that aren't there).

This statement by Vision Forum's National Center for Family Integrated Churches pretty well sums up where we have arrived regarding family and church. Give it a read, and see if it won't challenge your thinking.

Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that the family is a holy institution, ordained and established by the Sovereign Triune God Who created the heavens and the earth. God's infallible revelation, the Bible, reveals that the family is an integral part of the unfolding of His eternal purpose for the redemption of sinners. This great and gracious salvation--purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit--is in great measure passed on to succeeding generations as parents faithfully disciple the children God gives them. Therefore, the biblical order and unity of the family are crucial to the stability and health of the Church of Jesus Christ. In light of this, we recognize that the family--and especially fathers--are the focus of a fierce and unrelenting attack by the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This has escalated to the point that Christians must rise up in defense of the family in uncompromising biblical warfare.

~ Tom

Comments

[Randi]

Amen! I am blessed with a wonderful hubby who is dedicated to God and his family and for that I am thankful!

[Lauren]

We've learned a lot from Vision Forum over the last few years and their work toward family intregrated churches has helped change our views dramatically.