CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

A Statement from The Office of the President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63122
United States of America

As we think about the visit of the Wise Men, we realize that they came to visit a family, yes, a very special family indeed, so special that we have called Mary, Joseph and Jesus, the Holy Family. To me this is a significant point. For it makes us realize how much importance God places on the family. He had prepared Joseph carefully to be the Father of this family. He had prepared Mary to be the mother of this family. He sent His own dear Son to be the son of Mary and Joseph. We read later during the Epiphany Season about the young Jesus that, "He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them . . . and Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:51-52).

A recent book on the impact of culture and society on the church, No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? (Eerdmans, 1993), indicates how destructive the culture which surrounds us is for our families. The author, David Wells, writes, "The family is now collapsing, not merely because of divorce but as a result of affluence and the innovations of a technological age . . . film and television now provide the sorts of values that were once provided by the family . . . children are lifted away from the older values like anchorless boats on a rising tide" (p. 84). These are unsettling words, but we must admit that they ring with truth. What can we do about this situation?

First, we need clearly to recognize the problem. There is no sense in denying reality. We have become desensitized toward the sorts of messages and signals which come across the airwaves. All one has to do is to stop watching television for a week or two and then tune it in again, and you will notice what perhaps you did not notice before. So, recognizing the problem is indeed a genuine way to begin the process.

Secondly, as a Synod we need to continue growing in our awareness of the critical importance of addressing the needs of families. Our Synodical and district boards and committees are focusing much attention on the needs of the family. The Family Initiative Council is working to provide a wide range of resources and aids for families. Other non-Lutheran groups, such as Focus on the Family, produce excellent tools which address many issues facing the Christian family. These resources are designed to equip church workers as they provide support and encouragement for the families in our congregations.

Thirdly, this leads us to the most important link in our Synod's response to the needs of families: our professional church workers-pastors, teachers, deaconesses, DCEs and so on. These folks are vital in our Synod's ministry to families. They need our support and encouragement. Our congregations need to make sure that our professional church workers receive adequate time away from their duties to be with their families. Our church workers need the full support of our congregations so that their families will be strong and healthy. They in turn will be able to serve more effectively as they help the families in the congregations cope with the stresses and strains of life in our modern culture.

Next, our congregations need to assess what special programs they offer to address the specific concerns and interests of families. Many congregations are establishing groups to assist new parents, or newly married couples, or families with special needs or problems. These sorts of activities are very important. The church has a fantastic message to share with families. The church proclaims the good news of the special family God has given this world. His Son, sent into our world to be among us, cherished His family. He calls all who believe on His name His brothers and sisters.

Finally, there is no way I can underscore strongly enough the importance for daily time together in the Word as a family. Sharing the hurts and joys as a family in the context of daily devotions is so important. As the Lord speaks through His Word, the family gathers to hear and to respond in faith to Him with praise and prayers. This is so very important and indeed is something that we need to speak often about in our congregations. Also, simply put, spending time together as a family is critical. It is glaringly apparent that parents are not spending enough time with their children. This needs to change, for the sake of our families.

We all are members of our own particular earthly families. But even more importantly, we are members of God's family through our baptism into Jesus Christ. As members of God's family, we are empowered by God's Spirit to be lights shining in the darkness of a world which needs to receive the witness of families who are devoted to their Lord and to one another. May God bless the families in our congregations richly!

From: The President's Newsletter, January 1994, p. 2-3