Families
If you are looking to strengthen the families in your church and community, then check out some of the following groups and organisations
Family on Mission Journal
The Family on Mission Journal is a discipleship resource for families, created by Diana Langdon and Bishop Eleanor Sanderson.
We have been increasingly aware of two important conversations happening in New Zealand - one about how churches can best support family discipleship in the home, and the other about child mental health and wellbeing. The research shows that mental unwellness can often stem from disconnection, so we started to consider how we could reinforce those important connections at a young age - to God, creation, ourselves, and one another.
As a result, our Family on Mission Journal was launched in November 2019. The journal has a Lego and Minecraft theme, and provides a framework for families to reflect on how God is at work in their lives, and check those points of connection regularly. It is being trialled within the Diocese of Wellington, and we hope to share it wider later in the year. Our hope is that these family connections will hold strong in the years to come, strengthening our wider church and the faith of all generations.
To find out more, get in touch
We have been increasingly aware of two important conversations happening in New Zealand - one about how churches can best support family discipleship in the home, and the other about child mental health and wellbeing. The research shows that mental unwellness can often stem from disconnection, so we started to consider how we could reinforce those important connections at a young age - to God, creation, ourselves, and one another.
As a result, our Family on Mission Journal was launched in November 2019. The journal has a Lego and Minecraft theme, and provides a framework for families to reflect on how God is at work in their lives, and check those points of connection regularly. It is being trialled within the Diocese of Wellington, and we hope to share it wider later in the year. Our hope is that these family connections will hold strong in the years to come, strengthening our wider church and the faith of all generations.
To find out more, get in touch
Faith at home
Faith5
Faith5 looks at how to involve Jesus into your everyday conversations, by following 5 steps - share, read, talk, pray, bless. We put together a video here and a bookmark for the Diocese of Wellington as part of their Ministry Conference in 2015 The Kitchen Table Project In response to some family faith research in the UK, Care for the Family has launched The Kitchen Table Project to raise awareness among parents that they are the biggest influence on their children developing a faith that lasts. They also want to support and equip churches in encouraging parents to help their children grow up loving God. Messy Church Encouraging families to live faith at home Top Tips for Christian Parents Top tips to help families grow faith at home. |
Be Refreshed
A journey through 14 Psalms for busy mums and dads Orange Family inclusive resources for churches Faith Box A kit for families to use together once a week; aimed at primary aged children. Faith in our Families How do parents nurture their children’s faith at home? What does the Church do to support and equip them in this? A research report from Care for the Family. D6 All about families and church, reconnecting parents and children Kiwi Families Creative ideas for families - craft, health, nutrition, games. |
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Tough Times
Skylight have some fabulous resources to help support families going through bereavement, stress, family breakdown, suicide and depression. They also run a youth resilience programme called Travellers, operating in 150 schools in New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
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Hear2Stay
Hear2Stay
Scripture presumes that faith formation occurs within intergenerational, familial and community settings. Hear2Stay is a collaborative initiative set up in Australia, looking at how discipleship and leadership can bring about transformative change in our young people. They have 2 foundational principles (intergenerational and family ministry) and propose 8 formational principles to help strengthen the church. We also love their 'chat matters' table talk downloads, which can help kick off faith conversations at home. |
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Other resources
Deliberate Kids
Music and ideas for today's kids and families - Phil and Heather Joel
Development of Faith
This file looks at some of the theories of how faith develops as we mature.
Faith Development.pdf
Watch
Michelle Anthony on TruMinistry - Something is Better than Nothing
Music and ideas for today's kids and families - Phil and Heather Joel
Development of Faith
This file looks at some of the theories of how faith develops as we mature.
Faith Development.pdf
Watch
Michelle Anthony on TruMinistry - Something is Better than Nothing