Family Ministry

"The human family constitutes the primary and essential element of human society… peace in society will be a direct result of peace in the family" —St. John Chrysostom

We live in a fast-paced world that seems to advance technologically by the moment. With a click of a remote control or a mouse, we can access scads of information in very little time. While we have become quite skilled at gathering facts and figures through various forms of media, how much of what we find actually relates to the well-being of our families and, ultimately, our spiritual friendship with Christ God? (Christ is called in Greek the Φιλάνθρωπος, the friend of man).

As Orthodox Christians, our understanding of the world should be rooted in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Church. Unfortunately, the message of the Gospel can be easily lost in the constant barrage of data that inundates us daily. Family Ministry, a ministry with the greater Ministry of Youth, Young Adult and Family in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, gives families the opportunity to learn more about the Orthodox Christian Faith, while spending quality time with one another. The fervent hope of this ministry is for participants to bring home what they have learned and implement the teachings in their lives. Church does not end with GOYA, a new life in Jesus Christ begins with Baptism, continues through the Sacraments and onward into eternity. The Church is not a babysitting drop off service for parents but an all encompassing Life for all in Christ Jesus. Really there is just one Ministry and His Name is Jesus Christ

Family Ministry incorporates four corners of Faith, which are:

Worship (Liturgia), Fellowship (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia), and Witness (Martyria). These are key components of a spiritually healthy Orthodox Christian lifestyle for all ages. Through the teaching and sharing of these important aspects through activities and through attending Church, families, which is to say children, youth, young adults and their parents are encouraged and supported to become well-rounded members of the Church community.

Family Ministry works to educate and edify families of the Church, encouraging them to become active sacramental participants in the life of the Body of Christ. This ministry offers them the opportunity to experience the Faith, ultimately leading them to Salvation.

 

The above text is based in part on the Family Night Events Introduction, which you can find here: https://www.goarch.org/-/parish-family-night. The Family Nights are templates for Family events from the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (https://www.goarch.org/departments/family).

The Orthodox Holy Family Icon:

The Great Grandmother of God St. Maria, The Grandmother of God St. Anna, The Mother of God Panagia St. Mary and Christ who is the incarnate God the Son, the Second Person of God the Holy Trinity.