Departments

Family Ministries

Seventh-day Adventists recognise that families are the building blocks of community, the church and society. We believe God created families to nurture warm, meaningful and loving relationships, and to discover what it is to love and be loved. In families, children develop beliefs, values, and attitudes which translate into behavioural patterns that shape their future and the future of their communities.

In line with the world church theme 'I Will Go', the primary role of the Family Ministries department is to partner with leaders at every level of the church structure to support families in the church and in their local communities by: 

  • recognising the great diversity of modern families
  • training and equipping family life educators
  • enriching marriages
  • educating and resourcing parents
  • educating and supporting leaders and families to help ensure families are a safe environment, especially for children
  • fostering healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing

The Family Ministries department is closely linked to the work of Children’s Ministries. These departments also oversee the implementation of the Church’s safeguarding policy and procedures, to ensure best practice in the protection of children and adults at risk. For more information access the Safeguarding page. 

Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Helplines 

  • Childline - 0800 1111
  • NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
  • Thirtyone:Eight (formally Churches Child Protection Advisory) - 0303 003 1111
  • Women's Aid - 0808 2000 247
  • ManKind Initiative - 01823 334 244
  • Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327 

BUC Family Newsletter

Latest Edition: Feature article - "No Offence, But . . ."

Family Ministries Resource Book 2024

The Family Ministries Resource Book is an annual resource organized by the General Conference Family Ministries department with input from the world field to supply local churches around the world with resources for the special family emphases weeks and Sabbaths (click here or the image below to download). Within this Resource Book you will find sermon ideas, seminars, children’s stories as well as leadership resources, reprinted articles and book reviews to help facilitate these special days and other programs you may want to implement during the year. 

Download the COVID-19 Survival Guide for Families, Parenting and Families 

The COVID-19 public health crisis has also become an emotional and spiritual challenge for countless individuals as well as marriage and family relationships around the world. This situation has provoked anxiety, stress, tension, grief and even spiritual uncertainty.

To help you intentionally use this time to build up your marriage and family relationships, Adventist Family Ministries has developed the COVID-19 Survival Guides for Marriage, Parenting, and Families. Each guide has more than 15 carefully selected messages about nurturing relationships, family worship, grief, safety in the home, hope and much more.

         Families                              Marriage                             Parents