BIBLICAL PARENTING Part Two
FOR THE SAKE OF THE PARENTS, NOW IS THE TIME
FOR CHURCHES TO BUILD A BRIDGE TO THE HOME

By Jack Eggar

Imagine Asaph, one of the musicians in King David’s great orchestra, making a startling sound with his loud clanging cymbals! That’s not all Asaph did to get people’s attention. In Psalm 78:1-4 this deeply spiritual instrumentalist made an equally alarming statement to parents about the importance of passing on the faith to the generations. When it comes to the duties of all believing parents, Asaph exclaimed,

“WE WILL NOT HIDE THEM (God’s truths contained within God’s biblical stories) FROM THEIR CHILDREN…”

Such a statement begs the question, How do parents hide God’s Word from their children? The answer is as surprising as the sound of a cymbal in the middle of a musical performance. We hide God’s word by not telling them. As shocking as this may sound, almost all of us parents were never trained to spiritually mentor our children. Feeling inadequate and a bit overwhelmed at taking personal ownership of such a monumental responsibility, it makes sense to delegate this to better-prepared people. However, let’s also remember the Lord’s directive through Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5-7. Delegation of one’s parenting duties to others is not a biblical option. So, what can be done for parents? After all, we parents certainly could use a helping hand.

HELP FOR THE HOME IS ON THE WAY, AND IT HAPPENS TO BE THE CHURCH!

Today is a good day for a paradigm shift in our thinking. Decades ago, many North American churches began to raise up youth directors and children’s ministry directors. Their job descriptions pointed them to help the church more effectively make disciples of the next generation. Much good has come from these dedicated servants of the Lord, who continue to serve well in countless churches.

Let’s now go one step further by considering a way to increase the discipleship needs of our children. After all, the world wastes no time radically increasing and unleashing its destructive agenda against our kids. How can we possibly ramp up our spiritual input in such a busy world today? Let’s call it a unique and wonderful partnership between church and home. And, as in all good partnerships, someone is needed to get everyone’s attention, like Asaph. Consider with me the much-needed role of the family pastor.

A trained family pastor has a unique job description that includes serving as the extended arm of the senior pastor. A ministry bridge from the church to the home is carefully developed. Parents are trained, empowered, and commissioned (including a special ceremony) to begin biblical and spiritual conversations with their children in the home and church. Can both the church and home be synchronized to maximize biblical impact? Indeed.

Pastors often ask, “Will this help our church grow?” The answer is an unequivocal yes! Consider Christian parents and their children spread throughout the community in their homes. Parents are activated for spiritual training, resulting in the very culture of the home being transformed into that of a Deuteronomy 6 home. Such influence grows and spreads as the kids, and then mom and dad experience the opening of doors of opportunity to become points of kingdom light to their neighbors. This is family evangelism at its best.

IS IT TIME FOR YOUR CHURCH TO RAISE UP A FAMILY PASTOR?

North American churches are now invited to build an effective ministry bridge to the homes of their members through trained family pastors. Go online to familypastorsinstitute.org. Consider sending someone from your congregation for training. This includes online instruction. There is also a church practicum, enabling the student to gain valuable experience with the church. Family Pastors Institute (FPI) students do not have to quit their day jobs or leave the church and move to a college campus in another city.

Because all of this is so new to churches, FPI has chosen to make the very first class our special beta test. That means we want to establish with students and their senior pastors a close working relationship where their collective feedback shapes and improves our institute for all future students. Our desire is to make FPI the best it can possibly be for the sake of the local church. By design and our need for continual feedback from this first class, we are limiting the number of students to 30. Please don’t wait too long!

Jack D Eggar
Family Pastors Institute