Family: The Forming Center: A Vision of the Role of Family in Spiritual Formation (Revised and Expanded)

Book, 1996, 159 pp
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Presents a vision of the role of family in Spiritual Formation. Offers practical information on becoming "sacred shelter" for one another, on witnessing and experiencing God's presence within the context of the family. The author offers options for developing spiritual disciplines within the family and practical advice on family group discernment. One chapter specifically focuses on family rituals and celebrations that can enable persons to reclaim certain "holy days" and rites of passage with their children and within the broader context of the family of faith.
"What a relief it was to read Marjorie J. Thompson's book, Family - the Forming Center, by Upper Room books, Nashville, Tennessee, 1996. Her stories showed me that my guilt feelings are not unique; that many of us feel we need to 'dress up our families' for church. At the same time, it reassured me that God has been present in my family in many ways as we 'expressed respect and care for each other in the mundane, repetitious routines, and daily stresses of our life together'. She shows that family life is a sacred place where we learn to reflect God's love and forgiveness and to challenge each other to faithful growth. It also put the present situation, where many of us feel unqualified to nurture the faith of our children explicitly, into a helpful historical context.

Thompson's book encouraged me to look for God's presence in the smiles and tears of family members, as well as in the breakthroughs of understanding that come as its members quarrel. She also suggests ways of becoming more deliberate about the Christian Formation that happens in our families. She recommends simple structures, symbols and rituals as important means of growth. She includes practical suggestions of how to reintroduce prayer, Bible study and domestic celebrations that can change holidays back into Holy days. These suggestions need to be adapted to fit the unique and changing natures of our families and homes." -- Elsie Rempel, Mennonite Church Canada

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