The Family Integrated Model of ministry can be very welcoming to families that want to worship and learn together as a family. The family bond is maintained in everyday life and in worship. When a church focuses on this intergenerational model there are no age divisions in the programs of the church. In this way, the congregation remains an intact family of families.
The Family Integrated Model removes all age segregated ministries, such as Sunday school, children's church, youth group and etc. Instead the Family Integrated Model focuses solely on the family as a whole. Those communities of faith that adhere to this model encourage the whole family to join together in the sanctuary. Some Family-Integrated Churches provide special services for specific age ranges or interests at other times throughout the week. The Church encourages parents to disciple their kids at home.
Worship- "Families who worship together, stay together." In a Family-Integrated Church," the entire family worships together; from new born Sussie to 10th grade Madison. Every Sunday the family comes together for worship and message and stay together for the entirety of the service. If a child is acting out the parent is invited to take their child to the back to discipline. After each service the "Family-Integrated Church" serves a meal for a time of fellowship and the entire family enjoys helping to set up and tear down according to Paul Renfro in "Perspectives on Family Ministry."
Discipleship- In a "Family-Integrated Church" fathers take time to join a small group and learn how to provide spiritual guidance at home for his children. All discipleship is provided at home through the parents specifically the Father.
One great benefit that is seen in the "Family-Integrated Model" is the closeness of the family.
This is the most extreme model of all the Family Ministry Models.
Worship- "Families who worship together, stay together." In a Family-Integrated Church," the entire family worships together; from new born Sussie to 10th grade Madison. Every Sunday the family comes together for worship and message and stay together for the entirety of the service. If a child is acting out the parent is invited to take their child to the back to discipline. After each service the "Family-Integrated Church" serves a meal for a time of fellowship and the entire family enjoys helping to set up and tear down according to Paul Renfro in "Perspectives on Family Ministry."
Discipleship- In a "Family-Integrated Church" fathers take time to join a small group and learn how to provide spiritual guidance at home for his children. All discipleship is provided at home through the parents specifically the Father.
One great benefit that is seen in the "Family-Integrated Model" is the closeness of the family.
This is the most extreme model of all the Family Ministry Models.
Websites for "Family-Integrated Model"
- National Center for family-integrated Churches -This is a great website for everything needed for the family-integrated model. There are tons of articles, books and blogs on this site to study. They have a map of location family-integrated churches are located world-wide.
- Return of the Multi-Generational Household - This article by the Pew Research Center discusses the current trend in a return to multi-generational households. This is an important factor in the type of ministry model that a multi-generational family will seek to be in fellowship with other like-minded families.
- Liturgy, Ritual, and Intergenerational Ministry - An article by Rev. M. Cooper that discusses the importance of ritual and participation of the family in liturgy.
- Wikipedia on "Family Integrated Model"
- Intergenerational Tools and Support - Website resource by GenOn Ministries encouraging and supporting the intergenerational church by giving emphasis on the Theology of Relationship.
- Pros and Cons of Integrated Model- an article written to mothers of home schooled children about the positive and negatives of this model.
- Grace Family Baptist- This church incorporates the family integrated model.
- Got Questions Website - Great site that gives insight into integrated model.
- Family Integrated Church Directory-
- Seven Problems with the Integrated Model by John Carpenter- Great online article about issues integrated model may face and an online discussion.
- A response to the family integrated model by Dr. Steve Vandegriff. This web article is from a youth pastor's perspective and how he wrestles with the concept of family integrated model.
- Covenant Baptist Church - This is a church that is following the integrated model
Books for "Family-Integrated Model"
Shares the benefits of interaction within the church across generations by showing the ways that each generation learns from the other in the process of continual Christian community.
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Showing the importance of life to life interaction and the positive impact that it has on everyone involved by giving key principles for developing others.
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A guide for how churches can remain effective across generations by remaining relevant to each generation.
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A great resource for church planters and those who want to be a part of an integrated church congregation.
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Encourages the role of the father as the spiritual head of the family. Gives insight into the importance of the integration of family, work and ministry.
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