Urban Ministry with a Family

People are often curious about how Julie and I raise our family in Homewood, and how we do ministry together as a family.  We do not by any means have family life all figured out, and there are many challenges that come with urban ministry.  But our work together in Homewood has been a tremendous blessing for us as a family, and I know that we are right where God wants us to be.  He may call us to go somewhere else some day, but for now we're really loving where we live and the work with youth that God has called us to.

In his book Restoring At-Risk Communities, John Perkins suggests some key elements of doing ministry as a family. Here they are:

• When God calls you into Christian community development, he calls you as a family.  You cannot separate your ministry from the rest of your life.  If you try, those who share your life will suffer and so will your service.
• A husband and wife must have a unified vision and must support each other in their individual roles.  The two must keep their relationship solid and affirm each other continually in their mutual contribution to the ministry.
• It's great when both spouses hear God's call together, but many times one may hear the call more clearly than the other.  This is when trust and mutual submission become important.
• A home is not a house or a place or anything immovable.  Home is a condition of the spirit.  We must be able to let go of places and property when the Lord calls us and carry our "home" to the next location.
• It may be cliche, but it's still true: the family that prays together stays together.  Teach your children to love God and to serve him, so that they can grow into the same commitment to people and to ministry that drives their parents.
• Relocation is more than moving into a community.  It means taking on the problems and concerns of that community.  My neighbors' needs are my needs, and their struggles are my struggles.
• Suffering for the sake of the gospel is a privilege, and some may be ready and willing to do it.  But parents must also be ready to allow their children to suffer for the gospel, especially if it serves the community.
• Christian community development may present challenges to the health, safety, and emotional well-being of the family.  But by relying on God, families can overcome these obstacles as a unit and reap miraculous benefits.
• The family is at once a defense and a weapon against the very forces that are seeking to break down our communities.
• As you count the costs of community development, don't forget to count the blessings.