Catalyst Conference- Reggie Joiner

Reggie Joiner is the founder of the reThink Group (http://www.rethinkgroup.org/).

Joiner discussed the relational context of ministry in that more mentors help children process what is being taught by Christ-following parents:

1. We have all been influenced by family.
2. Somewhere along the way we develop pictures of what we think family looks like; however, the photo of the "stock family" in picture frames is not a real family.
3. If we hold on too tightly to an "ideal" picture, we set up families to become disillusioned.
4. God never really gives us a picture of an ideal family in Scripture.
5. My calling as a leader should not be to get families to conform to a common picture.
6. Two different approaches to influence the family:
a. Better picture- conform to a standard
b. Bigger story- God can use each families' story no matter what it is
7. Parents don't need a better picture, they need a bigger story.
8. God doesn't use perfect pictures, He uses broken people; He uses restoration and redemption to allow us to start from where we are and move forward.

A story of restoration and redemption is so much more effective than the "stock photography" family photo.

Children's and student ministry must shift from Sundays only to a daily focus.

An awkward, unpracticed prayer of a Dad who begins praying with his 7th grader is so much more effective than student ministry.

So many people wait until they are "fully equipped" before they begin to lead. But, as a parent, if I wait until I am fully equipped, it may take more time than I have before my sons grow up.