Effective churches understand the need for effective families. We know you're concerned with the state of family today. What if you could turn your church into a powerful family of families? Now you can! This comprehensive guide recognizes that each church and its families are unique. So it provides you a variety of clear and practical tips on . . . - Building strong family foundations - Enriching family ministries - Connecting families to other families Â- both inside and outside the church - Building a happier, healthier, and more effective church

In this book, I help parents navigate local church life through the ordinary means of grace in preaching, singing, praying, fellowship, and even in the hardships and trials.Tour Guides of Everlasting JoyParents are tour guides at the gates of everlasting joy. Don't miss the treasures. As a great tour guide, you need to help your children see the opportunities there. Help them experience the beautiful things God has in store for families who prioritize gathering with the redeemed in local churches. What is in store is better than what your children could gain from their sports or hobbies or camping.Give your children 10,000 reasons to believe that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, and His Word is the sole authority. Do it now. Do it through full engagement in local church life.Local churches offer dozens of opportunities to orient your family around the knowledge of the graces of the Lord Jesus Christ.The earlier you get going on this, the sweeter life will be. Now is the time to strengthen your family and your church. Table of Contents:The Onramp to This BookA Family Field GuideThe Power of Church and Family LifeTwenty Days to Transform Your Local Church ExperienceA Vision of HopeChapter 1, Tour Guides for Everlasting JoyChapter 2, Your Golden OpportunityChapter 3, The Church Needs Strong Families Chapter 4, Love the Church Chapter 5, Show Them the TreasuresChapter 6, Joined and Knit TogetherChapter 7, Face to Face RelationshipsChapter 8, The Day of RestChapter 9, Delightful CelebrationChapter 10, The Family Together in ChurchChapter 11, Keeping Children in Worship ServicesChapter 12, Distracted Children Chapter 13, Fellowship of Gladness and Sincerity of HeartChapter 14, Joyful SingingChapter 15, Teaching Children to SingChapter 16, Listening to SermonsChapter 17, Applying Sermons Chapter 18, Prayer MeetingsChapter 19, The Ordinances of the Lord's Supper and BaptismChapter 20, At the Gates of Everlasting Joy

A study of the early Christian church in the Mediterranean region and its emphasis on collective good over individual desire clarifies much about what is wrong with the American church today.

Teens and emerging adults don't feel at home in the church because they are not fully included in the church body. How can congregations nurture young adults, welcome them as siblings into God's household, and empower them to become fully embedded contributors within and to their faith community? Integrating the latest research on adolescent faith and young adult ministry for the local church, this book presents a new way of thinking about youth ministry. Chap Clark offers today's youth leaders highly practical principles based on his extensive experience, showing how they can implement a sustainable youth ministry program in their local church. He presents the adoptive youth ministry model as a way to help congregations see youth ministry as a bridge to inclusion, participation, and contribution in the body of Christ. Clark's comprehensive plan for designing and implementing youth ministry shows churches how to intentionally welcome young people and create an environment where they belong.

This proven resource covers every issue that affects family life. The third edition includes updates to all chapters and the inclusion of current research.