Church Renewal Through Family Ministry

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Pastor, whether we are in a struggling church heading towards revitalization or neck deep in the trenches of a replant, I believe we need to heed Jesus’ example here in Matthew 19:14. One of the greatest callings and responsibilities of God’s people throughout history has been to reach the next generation. The local church exists to make Christ known in every generation; therefore, a faithful family ministry is a vital component of church renewal. The harsh reality is that if you are not reaching and equipping families and children for Christ and getting them engaged in your church, you are not revitalizing or renewing your congregation, but at best maintaining it and at worst, stalling its demise. 

Most pastors in struggling churches do not need to be reminded of the lack of children or families in their churches, but here is the truth: You must begin thinking differently about family ministry to do family ministry in your context. What I mean is you must not passively wait for families and kids to come into your church but proactively prepare a place for them in faith that God will provide. Be faithful in the small things (the preparation) so that you may be faithful in the big things (the provision). Here are 5 ways you can reframe your thinking to prepare and support family ministry in your church: 

1. Pray earnestly for God to provide families. Many times, we know about the need to reach families, but if we are honest, we are overwhelmed with a plethora of urgent needs in a struggling church. From the facilities, sermon preparation, disgruntled members, and the list goes on and on. We can easily recognize the need for families, and even vocalize it as we mutter to ourselves, “If we just had one or two strong families in this church...” But how often to we earnestly and diligently go to our heavenly Father and pray for Him to provide families? This has become one of the most urgent prayer requests in my ministry and church. It is not that we do not want to reach all generations but understanding the demographics of the church and the importance of families in true renewal, we know this is one of our greatest needs outside of Christ. Therefore, we pray like it. Pastor, pray for families and lead your congregation to pray for them as well. Pray your people will be willing to do what it takes to prepare for them. 

2. Prepare like you have families already. As a father of a young family, one of the most important things about a church is how well it is prepared to shepherd and support my family. Outside of doctrine, this is the most important factor in a church. While God can do anything, pragmatically a church has one shot with a family. If we are not prepared for them, why would we expect them to come back? As the famous movie “Field of Dreams” reminds us, “If you build it, they will come.” While this isn’t a guarantee or a promise, like a proverb it is full of wisdom. Practically speaking, why would God send us families if we are not prepared to steward them? Pastor, it does not have to be perfect, but we must be preparing something, even if it is only in faith. Put your faith into action and prepare! 

One of the greatest encouragements in my current congregation are the two ladies who show up prepared to teach kid’s Bible study every week. Most weeks they have only a single child, and some weeks they have none, but each week they are prepared. Their heart and example caused our church to prepare a Kid’s Church option during the sermon in faith, even though we knew it may only have a couple children. The first week we had 2 kids, but since we have seen God provide more kids and families. Knowing we were preparing for and prioritizing them was a necessary step, but it took a step of faith. Are you willing to prepare for families in faith? 

3. Prioritize time and resources for families. Preparing for families will not happen on accident, it must be prioritized. Prioritized in the pulpit, prioritized in the finances, and prioritized in the planning and programing. I remember when I was in the pastoral search process at my current church, I asked what God was doing in family ministry. They shared that there had been no one to champion it, and the ministry had dwindled. I looked the search committee in the eye and promised, “I will champion it from the pulpit.” From the start family ministry has been a priority. Not simply because I was formerly a family pastor, but because I understand its importance in Scripture and revitalization. Pastor, prioritize and champion time and resources for families. We must budget for it and plan for it.  If we don’t have the resources for it, I am sure that someone in your church or association are willing to help with curriculum. If we struggle with volunteers, what if we showed our church its importance by scheduling pulpit supply so that we could lead in kids’ ministry? Is there a better way to demonstrate its importance and priority? 

4. Prove to families that you will care well for them. Every step so far has been internal. Leading our people to see the value and importance, preparing for families, and praying earnestly for them, but up to this point families don’t know about our desire for and willingness to steward their faith. We must prove to them that we not only will prepare for them but will care for them. This is going to require outreach and communication. Whether it is emphasized on a website, celebrated on social media, or shared publicly by our people, we must help families know they are welcome in our church. An invitation is so important, and our people must be willing to give them. 

Outreach is one of the best ways for our people to meet and share our heart for families. Plan a Vacation Bible School, I know several associations have trailers full of supplies to help put one on at a low cost. If we don’t have the volunteers there are plenty of churches that would love to come and help. I know my church would be one of those because we know the importance of this opportunity. Other options could include going to a park with free otter pops (they are super cheap) and invitations to church with information about family ministry. Christ often calls us out of our comfort zones. We not only have to leave our comfort zones in preparation, but in outreach as well! 

5. Pour into families when they show up. I am confident that over time at least one family or single parent will show up. When they do, invest, invest, invest. Do not let them come in unwelcomed or uncared for. Make sure they are greeted, given information about the ministries offered to them, and share with them how grateful you are to have them! People want to feel like they are cared for and wanted. Don’t be creepy or overwhelm them but trust the Spirit to lead your church to welcome and invite them into what God has already been doing through your prayer, preparation, and planning. If they come back remember their names, have someone offer to take them to lunch or dinner, and continue to remind them how grateful you are for them. Make sure you pour into the families more than the programs. 

Pastor, this is not to discourage or to remind you of what you do not have. This is an encouragement of what can happen if we pray, prepare, and step out in faith. I know because I have witnessed it. I can guarantee you that our churches want to see families reached for Christ and in their church again. This is a great way to lead them towards revitalization and renewal through a need we all recognize. At the end of the day please know, nowhere is there an expectation of perfection, just an encouragement to simply do something! This must be done with a culture of grace, in ourselves and our people. Let our leadership in churches say with Christ, “Let the little children come to me”. 

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Austin Dovin serves as the Lead Pastor of High View Baptist Church in Woodland Park, Colorado. Driven by a passion for preaching, discipleship, and equipping believers to know and treasure Jesus more deeply, he is dedicated to shepherding the congregation with intentionality.

If you have questions, would like support, resources, or to connect about the importance of family ministry in renewal feel free to contact Austin at pastoraustin@highviewchurch.org