wfn.org | New Moderator Outlines Four Concerns for Family Ministries

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

9-Aug-1999 
99257 
 
    New Moderator Outlines Four Concerns 
    for PC(USA) Family Ministries 
 
    Gardner Speaks to Mariners Annual Conference 
 
    by Kenneth Little 
    Presbyterian Mariners Communications Officer 
 
STORM LAKE, Iowa - Freda Gardner, moderator of the 1999 General Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), outlined four major issues facing the 
church in family ministry, during a visit to the 61st annual Presbyterian 
Mariner Family Conference at Buena Vista College here July 18. 
 
    Speaking before her keynote address to the 75-year-old organization 
that has spearheaded the denomination's family ministries, Gardner said her 
four chief concerns are: 
 
    * Unity and diversity within traditional definitions of families:  She 
noted that families come in many shapes and sizes these days and the church 
must learn to minister to them in a way that recognizes their difference 
and "celebrates their diversity." 
 
    * The absence of high school age youth in the church:  Churches 
struggling to operate a youth program with a small number of youth are 
fighting a difficult battle, she said.  "We know that it takes a critical 
mass of youth to interest them in a youth program," she noted.  An 
ecumenical approach may be needed in churches and communities where there 
are few youth.  New ways of approaching youth are needed including 
considering different times and locations for youth programs may be the 
answer for some churches. 
 
    * Declining worship attendance:  Sunday church attendance has become 
"optional" in many families as more and more time pressure is exerted on 
families, she said.  Some churches are trying services at different times 
in an effort to reach busy families.  She recalled that 20 years ago in 
Princeton, N.J., she was involved in a program for young people that met at 
6:30 a.m. on Friday morning before school. "The program was successful 
because it be came an `in' thing for the youths and it wasn't the same old 
Sunday service," she said.  In addition, she noted that the church has not 
done a good job of addressing the needs and concerns of unchurched adults 
and youth, who might be afraid to come to church because they "don't know 
about God" and are intimidated by church. 
 
    * Competition for scarce resources: Gardner said contemporary culture 
pits children and older adults against one another for resources.  "The 
sandwich generation that is dealing with young children and aging parents 
is being forced to decide who is more important," she noted. 
 
    Gardner urged the Mariners to continue publishing their "user friendly" 
resources and to continue to provide inter-generational opportunities for 
families, such as the annual Family Conference. 
 
    During her keynote speech, the moderator challenged the Mariners to 
understand that God created people to be in community and that for many, 
community meant family.  At the same time, we are called as Christians to 
acknowledge that there are many different types of families and that this 
diversity does not mean a family is any less important or vital. 
 
    Gardener's visit to the Mariners continued a long-standing tradition of 
visits by the newly-elected moderator, since Mariner family conferences are 
typically held within weeks of the close of the General Assembly. 
 
    This year's conference drew some 243 participants including numerous 
multi-generation families.  Next year's conference will be held in Greeley, 
Colorado. 

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