A few months ago we celebrated 30 years of being married to each other. Thirty years is a long time. However, it seems like it was just yesterday we were exchanging marriage vows on a sunny afternoon in August at the Seventh-day Adventist Village Church in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, in the United States of America.
After two children, eight living spaces, eleven ministry assignments and several countries on every continent of the world, we have many memories to fill several books and several days of conversation with anyone interested in that kind of musing.
Memories—good memories—are most important for humans to live with a measure of satisfaction and anticipation. Children need good memories with their families of origin (father, mother, siblings, etc.) to feel connected and live with a modicum of confidence and balance.
Most important in creating good memories for posterity is the need to give our children a spiritual foundation and security in a God that is loving, kind, forgiving and has made provision for their salvation through His son Jesus Christ.
Moses wrote under inspiration “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).
The Family Ministries Planbook 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.
Ellen White counsels in The Adventist Home, p. 190: “Parents should study the best and most successful manner of winning the love and confidence of their children, that they may lead V them in the right path.”
Recent research in neurobiology called Hardwired to Connect also identifies ‘close connections to other people and deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning’ as the most important kinds of connectedness children need to thrive.
It is our sincere desire that the resources in this volume, will aid pastors and ministry leaders in their work with families in and out of the church; serving as a catalyst for Building Family Memories of joy that will help families to be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Willie and Elaine Oliver, Directors
Adventist Family Ministries
Seventh-day Adventist Church
World Headquarters
