We were blessed to have Dr. Timothy Paul Jones of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as the speaker at our annual theology conference. The focus was family ministry in the church. These talks weren't strictly for parents or those involved in children/youth ministry. Every church member can benefit because we are all in this together. Audio is available here . Here are snippets from my notes with the hope that you will listen for yourself. Session 1 - Church as Family/Family as Church Church as family - A community that the world could never create. The world gathers people by their own special interest. Unfortunately the church has done this as well rather than centering on the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the story is bigger than me, my preferences, etc. God takes people with dissimilar backgrounds and brings them into a family and gives them a new name. The family as church - Not a substitute for the local church, but a window into what God is doing in His church. What ...