Abstract:
This study is about a conceptual framework in order to assist a minister to ensure that the whole family (consisting of different generations) is addressed in the same family service. In many churches different services are held for different generations while, when the family attend a service, the children and teenagers mostly feel that they are not addressed. Children are part of the family of God and should attend the church service with their parents or caretakers. They are the child’s mentors in more than one way and should also guide them to live their lives as Christians. Church leaders increasingly realise that what is happening in the life of a child is directly related to what is happening, or not happening, at home. Leaders recognise that in order to pass on the faith from generation to generation, a new paradigm of ministry is needed – one that is holistic and connects children, youth, family, congregation, community and culture. The generation theory is a tool to help a minister to understand the family members better. It is not a mechanism to label people. It is more like a dipstick into a period of time that groups people who tend, generally speaking, to think and act in a similar manner under certain conditions. With understanding comes insight as well as vision, and problem-solving may follow. A sermon group where families are invited to discuss the Scripture reading as well as the message of the text before and after the sermon may help the minister to address the whole family. The sermon group will enhance communication and understanding. It may also help with the building of relationships between the different generations within the family as well as with the minister. Praise and worship plays an important role in the family service. Traditional worship is word-driven and punctuated by organ music. Contemporary worship is music-driven with pianos, drums and guitars. In order to accommodate all the generations an integrated style is a possibility to explore. This style integrates all the music instruments and songs of the different generations. In a family service worship should link each part of the liturgy in such a way that the reformed character of the service is not neglected. The sermon in a family service, as well as the whole service itself, should be short. The minister should use ample metaphors and visual material in the sermon. It is also important to use simple language (and seldom theological terms) in order to facilitate better understanding amongst the children and teenagers. The person of the minister plays an important role in a family-service. There is always a minister who conducts the service. An honest, transparent and trustworthy minister’s message will be accepted by all generations, even if he/she might not be the best orator. After studying the literature, empirical research was conducted. The original conceptual framework was enriched and broadened by the life-experience interviews of the families regarding the church service.
