By Pastor Paul Newell
Founding Pastor, FamilyFellowship
Having grown up
in traditional churches and after spending the past
twenty-plus years in "vocational church work" Terrie and I
have come to the same conclusion: most churches are not family focused. We've visited hundreds of
churches that were family-friendly, but most are not family
focused.
Family
focused churches are hard to find because family focused
churches are hard to create.
Family
friendly churches offer programs and events for different age
groups: family focused churches offer an environment where families
can come together.
Family friendly
churches tend to age-segregate families: family focused
churches attempt to bring generations together. Family focused churches may offer programs for various ages,
but the end view is always the strengthening of families.
Family friendly churches often view reaching families as the
byproduct of reaching individuals; family focused
churches view reaching individuals as the byproduct of
ministering to families. Family focused churches see families
as the core of God's design. God
may have created plants, animals and individuals, but "family"
was the first way He used His creation: He created man and
woman to be a family. The family is God's ultimate
illustration of His love for all of creation.
Our vision for FamilyFellowship is a truly family focused,
Christ centered church.
What
will a family focused church ultimately look like? Well,
we're not absolutely sure. In many ways we are "building the
bridge while we walk across". We are
allowing God to shape our church and our ministries as He
gathers families into our Fellowship.
We see a
church that, no matter how large it grows, feels more like a
family than a traditional, formalistic church.
We see a
church were events are encouraging, uplifting, practical,
useful.
We see a
church that opens its heart and ministries to individuals of
all ages, races, and backgrounds: single, married, or
divorced. Where people accept you for who you are, yet love
you enough to challenge you to become all that God designed
you to become.
We see a
church environment that brings families together. A church
that empowers young and old to share together in learning
God's purposes for their lives.
We see a
family focused church that is centered around Jesus Christ and
His message of love, acceptance, forgive and eternal purpose.
We see a
church that fits your family, a genuine FamilyFellowship.
Most of all,
we see God creating a miracle in the Pass Area of
Riverside-San Bernardino, California. We see families
strengthened and individuals coming into relationship with
Jesus Christ.
If you would like to talk to us
directly about the vision of FamilyFellowship and a family
focused, Christ centered church please contact us!
Phone: (951) 845-1019
Email: Info@familyfellowshipchurch.com
FamilyFellowship Church - P.O. Box 465, Beaumont,
CA 92223
(909) 795-3107 (909) 838-4882
Paul W. Newell, Pastor
Copyright © 2003 FamilyFellowship. All rights reserved.
Revised:
07/19/08
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