Service to others—meeting human needs and addressing injustice—is central to most theological teachings. Apart from the service and justice activities you may already offer to youth and adults, however, many parents of young children believe that engaging with their families in service can be a valuable opportunity to pass on key values, discuss social issues and model the importance of community responsibility. Research shows that offering congregants opportunities for family service has multiple benefits for strengthening families, building communities, nurturing faith and compassion in children, and strengthening congregations.

Doing Good Together, a Twin Cities–based, nonprofit organization, is dedicated to encouraging parents and other adults to raise compassionate and socially conscious children by spending time together with them in community service, social action and charitable giving.  We offer the motivation, inspiration, training, support, opportunities and guidance to help families serve others in the spirit of giving.  Here are some ways Doing Good Together can assist in establishing a Family Faith Works program in your congregation.

·        Conduct a needs, interests and readiness assessment that would determine what the young families in your congregation are already doing together and what specific kinds of opportunities appeal to their passions in terms of schedules, personal interests and comfort levels, with the understanding that no single strategy or resource will meet the needs of all parents.

·        Convene a planning team of selected church staff and congregants to shape family service initiatives in partnership with staff, volunteers and board members of Doing Good Together.

·        Identify obstacles and barriers to family service within the congregation and the community.

·        Guide your faith community in developing a vision for a thoughtful, unified family service initiative and strategies for bringing that vision alive within the congregation.

·        Help develop strategies for reaching out to engage a broad range of families in serving others, not just those who always “show up.”

·        Remind all levels of the congregation about the benefits of family service in order to build broad interest, support and commitment for your newly defined goals.

·        Develop the training, materials, workshops, events and celebrations that are critical to establishing a thriving family service program.

·        Create a practical implementation plan for integrating your formal family service plan into congregational life, including education, social ministries, worship and special events, shaping the program to fit your community’s character, priorities and strengths.

·        Find ways to honor the service that families already provide on their own.

Family Faith Works FAQ’s

 

Why should we institute Family Faith Works in our church?

Families represent a basic strength of any faith community. When families are stronger, congregations are stronger. When Christian families live out their mission and calling in the broader world, the mission of the church is enriched. By consciously focusing on how we can tap this strength, invite families to serve others, and provide opportunities and support to make service more possible, we have the opportunity to more fully live out the prophet’s call to “do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

 

What can Doing Good Together provide our congregation?

·        Leadership for two half-day training workshops (or four 2-hour meetings) to facilitate a unique church-wide family service initiative, including an annual schedule of family service events.

·        A family service manual (in production), which lists potential projects, materials for distribution to parents and more.

·        Dedicated DGT support person offering email/phone/in-person assistance, such as advice on developing strategies for raising awareness and determining appropriate service projects and events.

·        The lead on implementing any family service events, including attendance at the event.

·        A parent and/or staff workshop to present the benefits of family service and simple, practical ways for families to get involved in the community.

·        Materials needed for service projects, including resources for preparation and reflection.

·        An ongoing “class” for families interested in becoming more deeply involved in service.

 

What resources must the church commit to this project?

·        If you decide to implement a comprehensive program, it will be necessary to establish a planning team of 10-12 individuals, including church staff and parents who will coordinate and participate in meetings and other events.  You would also need to appoint a project coordinator within the congregation

·        Work in concert with Doing Good Together to determine strategies for raising awareness and to settle on appropriate service projects and events.

·        Take the lead on the actual implementation of any mutually agreed-upon service projects or events and provide all necessary materials for all events.

·         Organize the time, location, publicity and dissemination of information for all projects or events.

 

Costs/Funding

The cost for establishing a Family Faith Works program will be based on the type of assistance DGT and the church determine is necessary to ensure success. If needed, Doing Good Together can help your religious community identify sources of funding for this program.

 

To learn about how you can launch a concrete and thoughtfully planned family service initiative in your church, please contact: Jenny Friedman at 612.822.6502 or email jenny@doinggoodtogether.org