Introduction
The Structure and Purposes of the Book
Resources
Acknowledgments
Section 1: The Context of Family Ministry
1. Our Genealogy: A Brief History of the American Family
Fighting About Family
Kinship and Households
Colonial America
Frontier America
Slavery and Family Life for African Americans
The Industrial Revolution and Beyond
Conclusions
2. The American Family Today
Shaping of Current Family Forms
Why Defining Family Is Important
Conclusion
3. The Family in Christian Thought
Early Christianity Changes and Challenges Family Life
The Catholic Church: Marriage as Sacrament
The Protestant Reformation
The Enlightenment
The Church and Non-European Cultures
The Church and Families in Recent History
Learning from History
4. A Biblical Frame for Defining Family
In the Beginning . . .
Jesus' Life: A Transformation of "Family"
Jesus' Teachings by Word and Example
The Ethiopian Eunuch
The Family of God
Implications for the Church
5. An Agenda for Family Ministry
The Development of Family Ministry
Defining Family Ministry
Family Ministry as Perspective
Section 2: Family Formation
6. Fieldguide of Family Relationships
A Family Story
Family Partners
Married Adults
Parents
Siblings
Older Adult Families
Who Are Families?
7. Family Development
Developmental Stages
The Processes of Family Development
We Are Family
Cyclical Phases of Family Development
Family Life as Christian Formation
8. Families in Physical and Social Space
The Ecosystemic Approach
Habitat
Adaptation and Stress
Possibilities and Complexities of an Ecosystemic Approach
Emergencies, Crises and Catastrophes
Strong Families
9. Culture and Family Identity
Families in Culture
The Unique Culture of Families
Becoming Culturally Competent
Family Identity
Family Rituals
Family Stories
Implications for Family Ministry
Section 3: The Processes of Family Life
10. Family Interaction
Types of Communication
Conflict and Anger
Forgiveness and Repentance
Intimacy
Implications for Family Ministry
11. Power and Roles
Jesus' Teaching About Power
Gender Roles
Discipline
Family Violence
12. Working Together
Defining Family Faith
Biblical Narratives of Family Faith
A Story of Family Faith
Service as a Family Affair
Engaging Families in Ministry
Hospitality
Woven into Family Life
Section 4: Leading Family Ministry
13. Congregational Life as Family Ministry
Worship
Christian Education
Christian Care
Administration
Leadership for Family Ministry
Conclusions
14. Knowing Your Congregation and Neighborhood
What We Know?And What We Need to Find Out
How to Do Assessment for Family Ministry
Congregational Assessment Methods
Knowing the Neighborhood
Summary
15. Planning and Evaluating Family Ministry
The Mission of the Congregation
Identifying Most Compelling Ministry Possibilities
Planning for Change
Dimensions of Family Ministry
Making Changes
Planning to Evaluate
Engaging the Congregation and the Neighborhood
Summary
16. Programs and Services
Congregation or Neighborhood?Or Both?
Family Resource Programs
Family Life Education Programs
Community Development
Family Advocacy
In Conclusion
Notes
Glossary
References
Name Index
Subject Index
Scripture Index

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