The Most Important Family to Pastor in Your Church

Breakout Session from Impact 2021 Conference

With the numerous needs among the families in your church, the family that often gets neglected is your own. Whether family discipleship is a new concept or an overlooked activity for you, create a renewed plan to lead, encourage, and disciple your spouse and children in your home.

If you lose your family, you will lose your ministry.

Reasons for Family Neglect

1.  Overdemanding Expectations

A church’s excessive expectations can actually disqualify a good pastor.

He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 1 Timothy 3:4-5

2.  Simpler Accomplishments

It is easier to build a ministry platform than nurture a family unit.

And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 1 Samuel 3:13

3.  Abstract Responsibilities

We all know why we are to lead our families, but few of us know how to do it.

For I have chosen him, that he command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19

Consequences of Family Neglect

  1. Dissatisfied Spouse – An ignored spouse will grow to resent the mistress of ministry.
  2. Detached Children – Children who take a back seat to ministry will take the first exit ramp from the church.
  3. Distorted Message – Jesus wouldn’t call you to a pace that disqualifies your ministry and distances your family.

Steps for Family Discipleship

  1. Evaluate – What are the major hindrances from discipling my family?
  2. Focus – What are the tangible goals for my marriage and my parenting?
  3. Begin – What are the next steps you can take in order to pastor your family?

Goals for Family Ministry

  1. Lead in such a way that your family doesn’t resent the church.
  2. Live in such a way that your family adores you more than your church esteems you.
  3. Love in such a way that your family never questions your priorities.