Marriage and Family
Think differently about our family and our church.
Churches have never before had so well trained
youth and children’s leaders, and such rich re-
sources to help do ministry. And yet, almost 9 out
of 10 Christian kids are walking away from their
faith by the end of their first year out of high
school.
We need to think differently about ministry.
Almost 50% of marriages in Canada will end in
divorce. It’s virtually the same among Christians.
For the first time in Canadian history, the average
adult will have more spouses than children.
Think differently!
- 73% of Christian youth say their lifelong goal was
to have a satisfying and fulfilling relationship in
marriage. - 13 % of pastors have been divorced.
- 48 % of pastors think being in ministry is hazardous to their family’s well-being.
About the Course: What you will study and why
Are you planning to do youth ministry? Be a
senior pastor? Work with children? Then
you need to think differently about what it
means to do marriage
and family ministry.
In fact, if you
plan to get married and
have children yourself,
you need to think about
marriage and family
ministry.
The church is a
family of families. Even
if a child’s parents do
not attend on a typical
Sunday morning, the
greatest spiritual
influence on that child’s
life is his or her parents.
Effective ministry means
learning how to best help a parent disciple
and evangelize his or her child. It’s a wake-
up call for youth pastors, senior pastors and
anyone involved with church-based ministry.
Consider this scenario: Perhaps the
greatest thing a youth pastor could do for the
spiritual life of the youth is to help plan an
annual marriage retreat for the parents!
Strange, eh? The home is the place where
the greatest amount of spiritual work is done
(good and bad) and the parents’ marriage is
the bulls-eye that sets the tone for how the
young person or child will feel about God.
In this course we will look at a
theology of marriage, family, and ministry, a
history of church youth and children
discipleship models, some different thinking
about how to do marriage and family
ministry, and some practical ideas for making
it all happen. We will also spend some time
thinking differently about how you can build a
strong marriage and family, even in the midst
of caring for other families.
Marriage and family ministry
is an emerging trend among
churches, so we are looking for
cutting-edge thinkers who can
help build models and provide
laboratories. If you are one of
these people, this course will be
not only a learning opportunity,
but a time for you to teach
others.
If you are concerned about
igniting the next generation with
a passionate love for Jesus, then
join 9 out of 10 parents who still
feel it is their job.
About the Prof: Meet Brian Siewert
Brian Siewert is the Prairie Provinces Regional Director for Focus on the Family Canada. Brian has been married to Celia for 15 years and traces his roots back to a farm in southern Alberta. He is the proud, but nervous father of four children, the oldest of which just started to drive his minivan (though he drove a Mustang GT after high school).
Brian has been working with youth for a couple of decades, including 10 years as a pastor of youth and worship. He knows the joys and challenges of effective parenting and building a healthy marriage…while balancing the demands of ministry. He brings additional creativity and experience to the classroom as a former radio news anchor and disc jockey, and an alcohol and drug youth intervention worker.
Brian currently travels and speaks extensively on topics related to marriage and parenting for Focus on the Family. He has co-authored The Marriage Connection, and continues to write material for church-based marriage and family ministry.
Brian is part of the core leadership for the Canadian Marriage and Family Network, and master trainer for the Drug Proof Your Kids program. And his third child says he’s a nice guy.
Brian finished his BA from Briercrest Bible College and is now currently finishing off his Masters of Divinity from Taylor Seminar in Edmonton, Alberta.
When Is It?
May 5th - May 9th (2008)
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
What Does It Cost?
Audit (0 Credits): $168
Credit (3 Credits):$504
(Reserve your spot today by paying a $50 Non-refundable fee.)
For more information please contact Brian Kim at bkim@vanguardcollege.com, or downloading the full brochure (PDF format) here ...
Download
the Marriage and Family Brochure now
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