Household Based Ministry
It is noteworthy that when Paul instructs Timothy on how to handle various groups within the church, he uses familial terms (1 Tim 5:1) and refers to the church as the “household of God”(1 Tim 3:15)—a God who reveals Himself as a Father.
The plethora of individualized, age-segregated programs that define the modern church has had little place in history until recently; whereas, the church as the “household of God”, is pervasive in Scripture. As a “household”, we come alongside one another instead of segregating one another…A “household” approach toministry brings grandparents, single parents, widows and those never married alongside the nuclear family, toddlers and teens. All join together, in concerted effort, to see that the “true” truth about Christ and those “praiseworthy deeds of the Lord” are deposited in the next generation. It is truly a multigenerational mindset!!!
Eric Wallace, of The Institute for Uniting Church and Home, puts it this way: “…entire households pursuing ministry as units, men who lead at home and in the church; singles, youth and seniors who are integral parts of church life; and more effective evangelism, discipleship and missions that keep the household together, thereby promoting multigenerational faithfulness.”