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A SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST
Abstract
This research is an attempt to define and analyze family life ministries in churches of Christ with 300 or more members. Congregational groups (families, youth, parents, men, women, the aged, married couples, and engaged couples) were used to define perceived effectiveness and perceived need. A random sample stratified by state, of 300 churches was drawn. A questionnaire packet was sent via mail to the minister of each of these congregations. A stratified random sample of the non-respondents was drawn and an interview was conducted by telephone with ministers of these congregations. A family life ministry was defined as a program with at least one minister having time specifically allotted to this work. One hundred fifty-three churches from 25 states responded with information. Fifty or 32.7 per cent reported having a family life ministry. Of these churches, 36 per cent have a family life counseling program, 18 per cent have a family life education program, and 46 per cent have both counseling and education. Of those churches with 750 or more membership, 100 per cent reported having a family life ministry while 23 per cent of those with 300 to 749 members reported having a program. Perceived effectiveness in reaching each of the groups was tested by program (counseling or education), place (church building or family life center), and minister's time-status (full- or part-time). It was found that no significant difference exists between counseling and education programs. One significant difference was found regarding place, i.e., families. Programs housed in the church building seem to reach this group best. One significant difference was found regarding time-status. The aged seemed to respond better to a program with a full-time minister. Churches without programs reported high need values for all but one group. They perceived that the aged did not need a family life ministry as much as the other groups.
Subject Area
Religious education
Recommended Citation
NORTHAM, GARY JOHN, "A SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST" (1983). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8412316.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8412316