What Our Family Integrated Church Looks Like (Part 2)

Not quite what Ours is like!

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series (Click on What Our Family Integrated Church Looks Like to read Part 1) on our Family Integrated Church and what it looks like, prompted by Amy's posting about what her Family Integrated Church looks like, over at Raising Arrows.  I encourage you to check out what she's written!

I told you I would explain more about it, and that I would answer any questions you might have.  These are common questions which we've heard over the years.

What Programs Do You Have?

We have no "programs."  We hope that this allows families to spend more time together, and less time in age-segregated "church" activities.  Families are encouraged, under the leadership of the father, to follow the Holy Spirit's leading in how, where and when they minister and serve.  If the Lord lays some need or ministry on the heart of a family, they are encouraged to pursue it.


 Some examples of ministries that families are involved in:


Nursing Home Ministry:  A couple of families go to visit and lead a hymnsing every other week; and at Christmas half a dozen families do a special, informal Christmas program there, and bring gifts to the residents.
Marie Sandvik Center:  Singing, visiting, serving at this center for homeless and destitute
Street-preaching:  a number of families did regular street-preaching in the inner city and various other areas for a time.
Handing out tracts:  Our church provides tracts and other materials which a number of families distribute
Family Music Ministry:  More than one family is involved in this kind of ministry, but one of them has become quite professional, and even has produced a CD


Volunteering with a local community AWANA program: Though our church does not run it, many of our families have helped over the years with a local community AWANA program.
Child Evangelism Fellowship ministry:  A number of families have children who were trained and worked with Backyard Bible Clubs, after-school Bible Clubs, and did other ministry with CEF.

Girls Prayer Gathering: Fellowship and Prayer

Bible Studies, Seminars, Conferences:  Families and individuals have organized and hosted many Men's, Women's, Girls' and Boys' Bible Studies, conferences, etc., over the years.  When someone feels so led, they are encouraged to go for it!

A Family of musicians at the Veterans Dinner

Young People serving the Veterans and their guests

Our church is very supportive (with prayer, people, resources, attending and providing financial support) when a family has a ministry.

If You Don't Have Any Programs, How Do You
Evangelize, Teach and Have any Fellowship?

The families themselves teach and evangelize their own children and those who they are in contact with.  Individuals and families share Christ. We occasionally host an all-church event, especially those which will strengthen or encourage families.

Family Fellowship a number of years ago

As for fellowship, we are a very hospitable church, with families inviting others over for dinner, for prayer times, for parties, gatherings, etc.  There are many serving opportunities, and people tend to like to do these in groups of families.  It's just easier.  So, fellowship happens.  One of our elders' family hosts a VERY large monthly gathering at his home on 80 acres during the summer months.  It's called "Family Fellowship" and it was started to provide fellowship and discipleship for families who did not, for one reason or another, have the encouragement of likeminded and edifying fellowship.  I would guess that 300-400 people attend Family Fellowship each month (not just from our church).

Moms and daughters serving at a shower

Girls Prayer Gathering

Girls Prayer Gathering

Young men awaiting their turn to serve at the Veterans Dinner

Cornerstone also has a few "traditions."  They are not carved in stone, meaning just because we did them the last three years, doesn't mean we have to do them this year. 

• Christmas Celebration Sunday:  The only Sunday in the year when we have "special music," there are a few Christmas numbers by families or groups:  instrumental and vocal.  Christmas Caroling and Chili Supper in the afternoon includes putting together gifts (Bibles, Creation DVDs, chocolates, Christian books and materials, tracts, etc.) to be distributed to the homes in this tiny community where the groups of carolers sing.
• 4th of July Celebration:  This was a LARGE event (attracting hundreds of people) with an outreach emphasis, which Cornerstone hosted for a few years (it was begun by one family, and then it grew).  This event was discontinued this past year.

One of our 3 elders and his family on the arrival of their adopted daughter

We do not have a Nursery, Sunday School or Youth Group.  We have families.  The father is expected, and encouraged and equipped, to be the head and leader of his family. He, along with his wife, is responsible to train up his children to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to disciple them.  Fathers are encouraged, discipled and helped so that they may be prepared to lead their families.  It's a goal of our church.  Much teaching, by word and example, testimony and prayer, takes place on Sunday mornings.  Among those who attend our church, there are abundant examples to show the way.  There are older dads to talk to, to look up to, and to follow.  There are resources made available:  books, tapes, CDs, DVDs.  The men have prayer partners.  There's a yearly Men's Breakfast and teaching time.


By the way, all the families in our church Homeschool (I think).  (It's not a requirement--that's just how it happened--but that means they're likeminded in taking the responsibility for the spiritual and educational training of their children.)

Isn't It Chaos With All Those Children In The Service?

(Wish I had a picture of all the kids!!)  It goes surprisingly well.  There is the steady stream of taking little ones to the bathroom, and babies and toddlers do cry, and in the back of the room there are always little ones being walked back and forth to quiet them, by moms, dads or older siblings.  But that's alright; you get used to it.  Following the service, during the Fellowship time, if the weather is conducive, children play outside.  There is a ball field next to the community center where they can play.

I Could Never Make My Kids Sit Still and Be Quiet For Two Hours!

You might be amazed what your child could do, if that was the expected behavior, and other children in the church were doing it and you had older moms who could give you tips on how to accomplish it!  Children will often rise to the occasion!  However, no one in their right mind would expect that every child is going to sit perfectly still, not making a peep for 2 hours every Sunday!  There are plenty of hymns, which give an opportunity to stand and stretch your legs.  Training in sitting quietly for short periods of time, then longer ones, goes on at home.  Children sometimes have to be taken out, for instruction and discipline.  The example of older siblings, and other families who have succeeded in training their children very well, is a strong inducement and encouragement.  Peer influence can be a GOOD thing.  

Church Staff

Mike (one of our 3 elders) and wife, Chris

We don't have any staff--paid, that is!  Our 3 elders all have full-time jobs or own their own businesses.  They have meetings once a month after church, and conduct business, and prepare sermons in their "spare" time.  As for other jobs that need to be done:  everyone pitches in, pretty much, whenever there's a need.  We have no bulletin, newsletter, etc., or Pastor, so no church secretary.  No janitorial staff of our own, because we rent our facility for $50/week and leave it cleaned up when we go.

Mark (one of our 3 elders) and wife, Lynn

Serving (because there's no staff)

Families serve together.  Opportunities abound.  I would love to take a video (maybe I will!) of what happens after a service is over.  From the littlest to the oldest, they really get busy!  Little guys who can barely see over them, carrying a tall stack of hymnals, collected from the chairs, weave through a sea of people to put them away in our storage cabinet.  Musicians put away instruments, microphones, stands. Middle to older boys stack folding chairs, and move 15-20 long wooden tables into place, with chairs around them, for "Fellowship time." Meanwhile, 3 families (all families, except those with only small children, are put on a rotating schedule) who are assigned to serve in the kitchen are setting up paper products, bagels and toppings, cutting up fruit and putting out carrots, coffee, tea, etc. on the counter.  Following fellowship time, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and washing up serving utensils takes place.


Events such as Bridal and Baby Showers are a time when we can "expect" all the middle to older girls to serve, both the food and the guests, and help in the kitchen.  They are always willing, Bless Them!  It is a combination of work and socialization and a fun time for them!

Baby Shower

Missions

Because we have no paid staff, no full-time pastor, and no building--and our weekly rental expense is so low!--we are able to give generously to missions.  The philosophy of our leadership is to give the majority of the tithes and offerings taken in to missions.  They screen and choose missionaries that we can be greatly involved with by being their primary and major financial supporters and those who we will also be able to physically go and help in service on the mission field.

The idea is for our church to KNOW our missionaries, to have them come to our church and visit us in our homes on furloughs, and to have many of the church people have the opportunity to go and serve with them on short-term mission trips.  That we would have a long-term relationship with them, and our children would grow up knowing personally the missionaries whom we support.  We are blessed to support 5 or 6 missionary families in this way.  This is a means of encouraging missions in the hearts of the children, because they meet real people, real families--"just like me"--who are missionaries in far away places, and near, and hear testimonies of how people are hearing the gospel, being saved, and God is meeting their needs through the missionary and the financial and physical support our church provides.

Telling about all that goes on in a Family Integrated Church--well, this ended up quite long!  And there's much more I could have said!  Would you like to hear how it works with no nursery?  Why we don't have a Youth Group?  What we do about meals and help for new moms, or people in the hospital?  How we do baptisms? Membership?  Who does the church directory or don't we have one?  What we did when our church outgrew our facility--and we didn't want to leave?  What the elders' wives are responsible for, and how we figure out other responsibilities?  How do things get communicated without a bulletin or newsletter??  What about a Prayer Chain?


Seriously:  What do you think? Would you like to hear more, or have you heard enough?  Any questions about what I've already told you?  It's unbelievably difficult to describe and explain, at least for me, so that you will understand, something which is so foreign to most people, and they've never seen.  And to try not to make us sound "weird"! 


So, I hope this has been a little helpful?  

What Our Family Integrated Church Looks Like

(Click What Our Family Integrated Church Looks Like, Part 2!) Right off the bat, I need to acknowledge that I got this idea from Amy, over at Raising Arrows!  Check out what her Family-Integrated Church looks like!  As I read her post yesterday, I thought, "I go to a Family Integrated Church!  It never occurred to me to tell about my church--what a great idea!"  And there is no better time than on Thankful Thursday, because I am very grateful that God has brought us to Cornerstone.

What Does Family Integrated Mean?

Family Integrated means we worship together as families.  Dad, Mom, and all the children sit together through the whole service.  But, Family Integrated means more at Cornerstone.  It means "family" is encouraged.  The goal is to strengthen everyone in the family in their Biblical role, building them up in their faith in Jesus Christ, helping fathers to lead their families, wives to be helpmeets, coming alongside parents as they teach and train their children to obey and honor their fathers and mothers, so they may succeed in raising and nurturing their children in the admonition of the Lord, and turning the hearts of fathers to the children.  The grace of Jesus Christ enables all of this.  Couples are encouraged to accept however many children God sees fit to give them as gifts, believing God when He says,

Psalm 127

 ³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
 ⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
 ⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

At Cornerstone, there are families of all sizes.  But larger families feel "safe" and accepted.

If You Don't Have A Pastor,
Then Who Leads And Preaches?

We have 3 elders, who lead and teach, and rotate sharing from the Scriptures, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, each week.  Right now we're studying Exodus, following a study of Genesis.  The chapter we're memorizing is Psalm 25. Before the sermon the elder takes us through a practice of the next verse.

Mike and Chris

Here are two of our elders and their wives (the third wasn't able to be there) at our Elder Appreciation Dinner in December. You can see the third, David, and his wife, Carolyn, if you visit their blog at Hebrews Eleven One as they chronicle their lives and most recently, bringing home Madeline, their adopted daughter from Ukraine.

Mark and Lynn

What's A Typical Sunday Look Like

Well, for starters, our church service is two hours long! 10:00-12:00, and then we have fellowship time for another couple of hours!  (My next post on this subject will address the questions, or Some of Them, that I know you're thinking right now! 2 hours! I could never make my kids sit still for 2 hours!)

Six hymns, with all the verses, are sung during the service, led by Ryan, the son of one of our elders, with  accompaniment by a pianist, 3 violinists and 2 cellists.  We stand for almost all hymn-singing, to give a break from sitting so long.

The Order (based on Acts 2:42):

• 2-3 hymns first (10:00-10:20?)
• Then the sermon, (the three elders rotate speaking every week, and the musicians rotate with the speaker) (10:20-11:00??)
• Another hymn or two (11:05-11:10??)
• Then dads and sons share testimonies (11:10-11:25)
• Another hymn, followed by communion every Sunday, (celebrating communion every Sunday helps us to remember what Christ has done for us, we're a forgetful people, and to keep short accounts with Him--the elements are crackers, made by one elder's family, and grape juice. 
   We stay in our seats for this part, and dads decide when their children possess true salvation: the only criterion for participation, and are ready to participate).  A few men share a verse or a prayer during a time of quiet contemplation, and then the elements are passed out by 5 or so of the young men.
   (11:25-11:45)
• One more hymn and then
• Praise and Prayer time (11:45-Noon).

The man leading this part asks for and writes down the praises and prayers as they are called out, and the leader asks for a volunteer, who raises his hand, to pray for that request.  After all the requests have been taken, those volunteering to pray come up to the podium where the microphone is, so they can be heard as they pray, while everyone else prays silently with them.  Announcements are given at the end of the service by one of the elders.

Dads and older sons take turns leading the different parts of the service, and often share some verses or a little encouragement or exhortation related to their part.  No "collection/giving" is taken or mentioned.  There's a locked box in the back on a table, and we have a Treasurer who takes care of all that.  (More on the financial aspects next time.)

How Cornerstone Started and When We Came

Cornerstone Church has been our church home for a little over 7 years.  Eight years ago, three Homeschooling Dads (Mike, Mark and David) decided to meet together for worship.  Mike and David's families live about an hour and a half from each other and Mark's family lives halfway between. They took turns hosting in their homes.  A couple more families joined them in the next year.  They weren't "starting a church" but seeking the Lord's direction. Mark and David's families were/are two of our very best friends.

Personal note:  This was all taking place shortly after I was diagnosed and had surgery for ovarian cancer, and when I was going through chemotherapy.   There is a whole story to tell of what God was doing in our lives related to church prior to coming to Cornerstone, but I'll save that for another day.


After they'd been meeting for about nine months, we attended the baptismal service around the pool at David's home, about 10 minutes away from us.  A couple of months later we began attending Cornerstone. It happened to be the first day they met in the community center that we meet in now, which is located 5 minutes from Mark's home (kind of in the middle of everyone).


Size and Distance
There were maybe 7 families (I forget) on that first Sunday in the community center, with perhaps 50-75 people attending.  It was lovely and the fellowship wonderful.  Word spread.  The church grew.  Now there are about 50+ families with close to 400 people, who come from far and wide.  They were looking for Biblical encouragement and fellowship with like-minded Christians.  If you've ever looked for a Family Integrated Church, you know that they're not on every street corner.  Our drive to church is about a 40-minute beautiful drive mostly through the countryside, and I actually love it--I wouldn't want it any shorter--because I can quiet my heart and enjoy the scenery, pray, and get ready to worship.  Many families drive 30 to 45 minutes (or more) to come to church.


I'm so grateful for the "journey" which has brought us to worship at Cornerstone.  I thank God for each and every family, and all the deep and enduring friendships which have been formed in these last 7 years and look forward to worshiping for many more years, Lord willing, at Cornerstone!  Thank you, Lord!!


Come back tomorrow for Food Friday, and Monday, for Part 7 of the Prayer Series, "Do You Pray?" and on Tuesday I will post Part 2 of What Our Family Integrated Church Looks Like.


If you have questions that you'd like me to answer about our church--I've gotten kind of used to it, so I don't notice sometimes how unusual it is--please leave a comment, and I'll try to answer them in my post on Tuesday.


So, what are you thankful for today? Visit Laurie at Women Taking A Stand, to participate and read other thankful hearts!

Looking To The World?

 In the Bible, "Egypt" is a figure of the "World," which is opposed to God's ways and the path of spiritual Truth and life.  Repeatedly, Israel is exhorted not to go back to "Egypt" or "the World" for its answers or help.  The Lord tells us to find our help in Him.  The world's "help" is really no help.  One reason that's true is because if the Spirit doesn't do the work, it's not eternal.  As I read these verses this morning, I couldn't help but relate what it says to the modern church today, and I encourage you to ask, "Is my church looking to God's Word for its answers, and for direction in everthing it does: what its vision should be, its activities or programs, what the services are like, what staff it has, etc., etc., etc. Are you, as a Christian, looking to God and His Word, as sufficient, to give answers to your problems, direct your life, and help in time of trouble?

Isaiah 30

 ¹Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

 ²That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

 ³Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. 

⁷For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

 ⁸Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

 ⁹That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

 ¹⁰Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

 ¹¹Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

 ¹²Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

 ¹³Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Isaiah 31 

¹Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

What are you trusting in and relying on for your help?

Manage It (Victorious in Christ) Monday: Our Church Just Keeps Getting Bigger

Our church, Cornerstone, has grown to about almost 400 people.  But on Sunday we hosted Home Church, which leads me to my post for Monday. Read "Devastation to Delight in one day", about the Wadena Tornado and a Bridal Shower, to read the reason why this post is late!

"Managing" When You Outgrow Your Facility!

We've "managed" the increased size of our church, as it grew past the capacity of our meeting space over the last few years, in a little different way than many other churches who've been in the same situation, who have just added a second or third service.  Our main goal was to make it possible to continue meeting in the Community Center which we rent for only $50 a Sunday.  We don't have any paid staff, being elder-led by three men who each have full-time jobs, and we strive to keep church programs to a minimum, therefore not requiring a secretary, etc.  All of these facts make it possible for our church, a non-denominational church, to be debt-free, and to be the primary and substantial supporters of a number of missionaries around the world, as well as to help people in our congregation whenever they have a need.  To keep the number in attendance at church each Sunday in compliance with the fire code regulations, the leaders came up with a rather unique solution.  They divided up the whole church (by geographical area) into 6 "Small Churches" or "Home Churches".  Each Sunday, one or two of these groups is "out", meeting at an off-site location--either a home or public meeting place.  It is up to each group to decide on a location for the meeting.  One of the groups has become very large, as most of its people come only to its meeting, coming from quite a distance further north.  They meet every other Sunday.  The rest of our groups meet approximately once a month.  Leading, and responsible for, each of these "Small Churches" are two or more "elders", who were appointed by our elders.  The Small Church leaders aren't official elders of our church, but they would fit the category of an elder, Biblically.  They're spiritually mature, wise and knowledgeable in the Scriptures, having their homes and children under control.  Most of them are also the older/oldest men in the church.  Each Small Church service and sermon topic follows that of the "Big" Church, and these "elder" men take turns preaching.

Principle of Ownership (relearned)

One of these "Small Churches" meets in our home, and my husband is one of two "elders" who lead it.  Our group is one of two groups in our area which happen to be smaller than the others, having only about 35 people in each. This past Sunday we were even a little smaller than that, as some were sick, or couldn't make it, because of Father's Day.  This particular Sunday, we followed the service with a Potluck.  We were blessed with good weather and everyone was able to be outside for at least part of the afternoon.  When we first began hosting "Small Church" and one or two of the Small Church groups were "out" each Sunday, I didn't like it.  I especially didn't like when we were the ones "out", not wanting to miss being all together with everyone at Big Church for even one Sunday, and also having to learn a lot of lessons about the Principle of Ownership. Sadly, I have had to relearn this lesson I thought I'd mastered:  that God provided and owns everything I have, and just allows me to use it while I'm here on earth.  He has had to teach me all over again that He expects me to use my home and everything in it for His glory, and that He will take care of it.  He has tested me, and I failed repeatedly at first, and I often was in tears on Sunday morning, as He tried to train me not to hold on to "my" home with my tight little fist, saying, like a toddler, "Mine, mine!"  It is not becoming of a Christian to be worrying during communion whether the grape juice will be spilled on the carpet, instead of thinking about Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the fact that He didn't even have a place to lay His head at night, and He unselfishly gave up His home in glory, to come to earth and die on a cross, so that I could be saved!  It's really pathetic, but true, that this was my state at one time.  I'm grateful that the Lord is so patient with me.

Thankfully, in time, I've come to enjoy our Small Church group.  I can now see the benefits: it has enabled us to get to know others more intimately; we can share more deeply and transparently our prayer requests, testimonies, and our lives and it has caused a number of men to grow in ability to shepherd a smaller group.  Not to mention, allowing us to stay in one location with minimal cost.  My husband, as well as others, have had the opportunity to grow in preaching and leadership skills and have been "forced" to intensely study the Word of God!  We, as a family, have been taught lessons in humility and service through opening our home. So, bottom line, I'm grateful that we have Home Church!

Hymns for the Heart

The words to the hymns we sing in church each Sunday often speak to my heart so intimately that I feel as though the Lord has picked them just for me, and that there are secret messages from His heart to mine.
Here is one we sang recently:
(It was the first time that I had ever sung it)

I Will Not Forget Thee
Sweet is the promise--"I will not forget thee,"
Nothing can molest or turn my soul away;
E'en tho' the night be dark within the valley,
Just beyond is shining one eternal day.


I will not forget thee or leave thee;
In my hands I'll hold thee,
in my arms I'll fold thee;
I will not forget thee or leave thee;
I am thy Redeemer, I will care for thee.


Trusting the promise--"I will not forget thee,"
Onward will I go with songs of joy and love;
Tho' earth despise me, tho' my friends forsake me.
I shall be remembered in my home above.


I will not forget thee or leave thee;
In my hands I'll hold thee, in my arms I'll fold thee;
I will not forget thee or leave thee;
I am thy Redeemer, I will care for thee.


When at the golden portals I am standing,
All my tribulations, all my sorrows past,
How sweet to hear the blessed proclamation,
"Enter, faithful servant, welcome home at last!"


I will not forget thee, I will never leave thee;
In my hands I'll hold thee, in my arms I'll fold thee;
I will not forget thee or leave thee;
I am thy Redeemer, I will care for thee.
Words and Music written by Charles H. Gabriel

Living For Jesus

Living for Jesus a life that is true,Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.


O Jesus, Lord and Saviour, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, hence-forth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.


Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.


Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.


Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.


O Jesus, Lord and Saviour, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, My heart shall be thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Thomas O. Chisholm, b. 1866
C. Harold Lowden, b. 1883

National Center for Family-Integrated Church (NCFIC) is Coming to a Location Near You!

 

We have come full circle over the last 20-some years from being involved integrally in the start-up of two seeker-friendly/sensitive churches (involved doesn't begin to describe our immersion in this) to the place we are now:  part of a Family-Integrated Church, which is elder-led, family-building, Homeschooling and large-family encouraging, missions-supporting, and disciple-making--Cornerstone Church--which we have called home for the last 7 years. One of the tools God used in our lives to bring us to this place was a set of messages from an NCFIC (the National Center for Family Integrated Churches) Conference (messages in a set called "Uniting Church and Home", which we purchased through Vision Forum).  These CDs bolstered my husband's confidence and helped him take a firm stand as the spiritual leader of our home and family, and strengthened his resolve to guard, protect and unite us upon the Word of God, while obeying the Biblical command to go into the world and make disciples.

Because of our experience and the benefit that we have received from the NCFIC, I am excited (excited? no, thrilled is a better word) to tell you about an unprecedented opportunity that is coming your way, literally!  An opportunity for you and your church to get a new vision for your family and church:  to strengthen your marriages and unify your families within the context of church!  NCFIC is hitting the road and will be traveling across the U.S. bringing a message that, I hope, gets you as excited as it does me!  Quoting from the NCFIC website:

"We will address how obedience to God’s commands regarding family life blesses the church, how obedience in our marriages models the love of God for the church, how obedience in discipling our children preserves the rising generation of the church, and how obedience in brotherly love, hospitality, and evangelism creates a church body life that builds up, strengthens, and grows a true Church. We will exposit the Biblical directives for leadership, discipleship and preaching in the church. We will show the difference between law and grace and how they work in harmony for the building up of the church. In summary, we will cast a vision for a unified life of reformation in the Church and the family. Our goal is to leave behind a rising sense of the glory and beauty of church and her importance in God’s plan of redemption."

So, here's what to do:

• Go to this link (NCFIC)
• Find a location near you
• Invite key leaders in your church and/or community to go with you
• Attend a presentation

Then, go home and tell everyone you know what you heard, and pray about, and act on, what you hear.  I guarantee you will not be the same, and neither will your church! 

*"The National Center for Family-Integrated Churches seeks to encourage unity between church and home through family-integrated worship and promoting the role of fathers in the life of the church and home. Special emphasis is placed on the sufficiency of Scripture for faith and practice." (from the Vision Forum website)

Thankful Thursday: Encouraging Thankfulness in Children

     For the last six years, our family has been privileged to be part of a wonderful church family, led by three teaching elders, who I want to honor, saying I am very thankful for them this Thankful Thursday (click on this link to read posts from other thankful hearts).  These men and their families epitomize 1 Timothy 3:1-13.  My husband suggested that we express our thanks to them a few years back in a way which would also teach our children thankfulness. That year was the first.  At Thanksgiving time, each of us writes a note of thanks to each of the three men, specifically mentioning the character qualities, spiritual gifts and things they've done for which we're grateful.  Sometimes we include a money gift, (you don't have to give anything, but if you want to, some other ideas are a coupon for a meal or babysitting; a bookmark; or a grocery store, restaurant or Christian bookstore gift card.) Then we place these notes, written individually and in our own hand, in a Thanksgiving card and give them to our elders the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  People in leadership who rule well should be thanked at least.  1 Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine."  These men divide the Word of Truth rightly, patiently and lovingly shepherd the flock, rule their households well and are faithfully walking with the Lord.    

Thank you, Lord, for Mark, Mike and David and their families, and for the many ways you've blessed my family and the families of our church through them!

This Week's Thanksgiving Resources

(see past Thankful Thursday posts for other resources or scroll down to the bottom)

"N. C. Wyeth's Pilgrims" (Text by Robert San Souci.)  A wise friend and homeschooling consultant advised me when our children were young to choose books not only for their reading content, but also for their illustrations, artwork, and photographs. I took her advice, and we have been the richer for it.

This is a beautiful book by artist N. C. Wyeth, about the pilgrims which will help your children learn to appreciate fine art, by the illustrator who's best known for illustrating Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

"...If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620" by Ann McGovern.  This short paperback book in the "...If You" series helps children understand what it might have been like to travel on the Mayflower and live in that day in a short, sweet, easy to digest way.

"Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving" by Ann McGovern. This book gives children a "taste" of what it was like to be at the First Thanksgiving.

"If You were...at the First Thanksgiving" by Anne Kamma. For younger readers, ages 4-8. 

"Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage" by Peter Arenstam. Photos from the Mayflower II. (Parents watch: The authors state that some things were taken from the Indians, and that the Pilgrims didn't have respect for them, without noting that Wm. Bradford's journal tells us that the plan was to pay them when they could identify the rightful owner.) Ages K-4.

"Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times" by Kate Waters.  Another in this series which utilizes wonderful photographs from Plimouth Plantation, this book tells the story of a young Indian boy.

Activities

Hand Turkey Placecards Start with a half sheet of white card stock.  Fold it in half.  On a piece of red construction paper, trace your child's hand outstretched like a turkey.  Cut out the hand, glue or tape it to the cardstock (it's alright if it sticks up at the top) and you or old enough children can write the names of each guest who will be at the table on Thanksgiving Day.  (You might want to have him or her practice on a separate piece of paper, or you can have them write the names on another piece of the white cardstock, cut them out and glue or tape them onto the hand "turkeys." (Options: You can change the colors of cardstock, construction paper and writing to coordinate with your table, or even use a different color for each of your children, or each guest.) 

Step 2: If you like, the children can write a special note of thanks to each guest on the inside of the card--these will be treasured keepsakes.

Make a small gift for your neighbors Candy corn and dry roasted peanuts mixed together make a fun and easy gift that even your youngest children can mix themselves to tell your neighbors that you appreciate them.  Scoop some of the mix into baby food jars, or canning jars, put a piece of pretty calico fabric on top with ribbon or rubber band; or scoop into little bags, and tie with colorful fall-colored ribbon or yarn.  You can write a short message of thankfulness for "good neighbors" or communicate your thanks in person as you go with the children door-to-door to deliver!