Family Ministry with the Inclusion of Widows and Orphans

Families are crucial for society and their future because family is the primary place for influence upon the moral as well as spiritual development of children. The book of Deuteronomy reminds us of the responsibility we have in shaping the impressionable lives around us. The issue is not a political or human rights issue in regard to what make-up defines a family. My children look to me for guidance, and I love the times of family devotion in our home. I cannot imagine having a different priority system that failed to place their spiritual development as a primary part of our family.

My role as a family member is very clear, and scripture does not leave room for debate in regard to family and its function. A widow is a family unit, just like my house with a wife and kids constitutes a family. James made it clear for the collection of families known as the church, that the widow or orphan should not be neglected. The first deacon selection in Acts resulted from the needs of widows being overlooked in the ministry of compassion.

My only memory of family as a child was a single parent home living with a widowed mother. In ministry I have not encountered a child that did not desire a mom and dad. Now that I am a dad with a wife and kids, I am even more driven that the focus in our ministry should look for the widow and orphan and less about the issues in the media. No matter the political action in regard to family, the Bible has not been edited for a different role in regard to family. As we become increasingly concerned with regard to what defines a family unit, we each should be reminded of the importance to do well in regard to spiritual formation—discipleship in our own families and caring for the widow and orphan.

What does family mean to you? In every ministry that we are a part of, people are looking for family in the church they attend. They are looking for community beyond the family unit they belong to, whether single, widow, married, or married with children. Many of us have people that we have encountered on our journey that are as close as “blood” relatives because of the relationship we have established over time. I pray that we as Christians will focus on the discipleship of our households, minister to widows and orphans, and find community with people along our journey beyond our family.