What's Next for Family Shield Ministries?
While we were working on her retirement plans, Family Shield's beloved leader, Kay Meyer, went to be with her Savior on December 9, 2024. Needless to say, for believers this is often bittersweet news. Kay did a lot of work on her own out of love for the Lord and her ministry (and without financial compensation), that none of us could do with our family and work commitments. The Board of Directors had a very big question to answer: What happens next for Family Shield Ministries? One thing was sure, if we continued, some things would have to change.
After prayerful consideration, the Board of Directors unanimously decided that too many families are in crisis to give up on Family Shield without giving it a good, honest effort to keep going. Without our faithful leader, but with God's guidance to change some things, we will give it a try and see where He leads.
In preparation for Kay's retirement, we hired Shirley, our new business and ministry coordinator, but do not have the funds to hire an Executive Director to lead the ministry at this time. Until funds are raised, individual board members have taken on certain responsibilities: overall team leader and communication coordinator (Rev. Mark Frith, president), newsletter and website leader (Laura Arndt), podcast and radio leader (Rev. Mark Femmel), and business and ministry coordinator (Shirley Durrwachter).
What can you expect?
- Kay Meyer’s passion for ministry will always be at the heart of Family Shield Ministries.
- We will continue to meet as necessary to determine the direction of Family Shield.
- We will continue to fundraise to continue current Family Shield ministries and hire an Executive Director.
- We will streamline the number of ministries under the Family Shield umbrella until we can hire an Executive Director.
- Newsletters will continue, but will look different and information may come from a variety of sources.
- The website is under construction to simplify and reorganize its content.
- Podcasts and radio programs will continue as is because they have already been recorded, but stay tuned, changes may be coming.
- We will continue to communicate with you as best we can given our current circumstances. Shirley is always there to answer your emails (witnesstofamilies@gmail.com).
For now, we focus on keeping things going and figuring out finances and necessary changes. We remember that God loves His children, pray for His guidance, His inspiration, and His blessing. We thank and praise Him for all He has done through Family Shield Ministries and look forward to walking in His will, whatever that may be.
We ask that you keep us in your prayers, Family Shield Ministries Board of Directors
Parents: Ultimate Faith Builders
Parents are the greatest influence in a child's life... their WHOLE life. Especially when it comes to life choices and faith. It may seem easier during their younger years, and most parents may think that during the adolescent years kids may be throwing away what their parents taught them, but research shows that that isn't necessarily true. If you've talked to your kids and prayed with them while they were growing, they won't forget what they heard as quickly as you might think. Teens are on a road to independence. They try new things and may explore other beliefs, but they are actually looking for confirmation outside the family of what they've been taught. If parents leave everything to the church, kids learn that their faith belongs in the church. If parents actively live and speak of their faith, kids learn that their faith is a part of their lives inside and outside of the church. How, then, do we equip parents to teach the faith to their kids?
The key is intentionality. If it's not something that comes naturally in the family, parents need to make the effort to intentionally talk about their faith. If your children ask what you believe, can you tell them? Perhaps it's time to get back into Bible study.
- Family devotions after dinner. It's ALWAYS a good idea to read scripture or Bible stories! You can read a devotional book appropriate for the age of your children or just read the Bible and pause every so often to paraphrase what you're reading so they understand it. There are some exciting things in there!
- Eating dinner together and discussing life. Turning off the TV, putting phones in a drawer, and talking about your day can be very enlightening. Kids say things to each other that give you insight into their lives and an opportunity for you to model and discuss appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and how Christ is a part of your family's journey together, even at school.
- Praying before meals. Simple thanks for the day, for food, and for everything God provides... EVERYTHING is important for everyone! It changes what we think and feel about the stuff in our lives. Also, adding on prayers about life challenges or troubled loved ones to the end of our standard, "Come, Lord Jesus..." prayer is easy and only takes a few more minutes.
- Participating in your child's Sunday School and confirmation education. Ask your younger kids what they learn in Sunday School. Talk about it on the way home and even later in the week. Some confirmation programs include parents as small group leaders or volunteers in another way. Do you know what your child is studying? Does your child come home with family discussion questions? One of the best benefits of parent involvement is that parents have the opportunity to rediscover things they probably haven't thought about in a long time. Younger children also get a head start in understanding the information in Luther's Small Catechism.
- Moments for meaningful discussion. Take advantage of opportunities for meaningful discussion of the sermon. Churches can provide a few simple discussion questions in the Sunday bulletins or have them printed, texted or emailed to homes after Sunday School. They may provide interesting dinner conversation starters or would be great while you have kids trapped in your car while driving places.
- Bedtime prayers. Teach and model for your children how to pray/talk to God by making their bedtime prayers personal to them. You can also say a simple blessing over your child out loud before they fall asleep. A child who hears every night that they are a gift from God, that they they have been given a strong faith, that they love the Lord and He loves them, that God has given them wisdom and good judgment to face daily challenges, that they are a blessing to their family and friends, and that they are reminded that the Spirit of God lives in them, that they wear the Armor of God to stand against anything evil that comes their way, and that the Lord goes with them and loves them, will sleep well and it will change how they face each day.
- Actions speak louder than words. They really do. Tell your kids what you believe, but show them even louder.
- Encourage questions. If your kids ask questions you can't answer, tell them you'll find out and call the pastor. When you bring it up again later they'll see that it was important enough for you not to forget.
Parents can encourage or discourage faith. If your kids don't hear it or see it in your life, it will most likely disappear from theirs. If your kids see that going to church and being in God's Word is important to you, it will become important to them. Don't give the world a chance to take away what you want for your kids.
Written and shared by Laura Langhoff Arndt, Carpenter's Ministry Toolbox (www.carpentersministrytoolbox.com)
Encouraging the Faith in Infants
Did you now that infants can have faith? 
All we need to have faith is to hear God’s Word and we all know that babies can hear both in and out of the womb. How do we know this? First, because receiving and having faith is not an intellectual activity. We don’t need to think about it to receive it. It’s a gift. Also, we remember that in his mother’s womb, John the Baptist knew Jesus, in His mother’s womb, and leapt with joy. What does that mean for your baby?
- Tell them a Bible story as you rock them and before they go to sleep at night.
- When you tell your baby you love him/her, remind them that Jesus loves them too.
- Sing Bible hymns and songs to them or play them in the car.
Understanding Kids: The Teenage Brain
Teenagers are searching. They are in a very pivotal stage of life where they are running toward independence, but aren’t quite ready for it. Middle school is the time when children begin their search for identity and where they fit in the world. In high school the search broadens and deepens. Unfortunately, in the church they are confirmed before the journey ends. How can we better understand the teenage brain?
The teenage brain is like a race car that’s ready to run full out emotionally and hormonally, but has faulty brakes. You can never be quite sure they’re going to work. Hormones are coursing through the brain, emotions are up and down, in and out as the brain learns to deal with them. Estrogen and progesterone affect mood control in girls and testosterone affects aggression and fear in boys. Not only that, but those same hormones are the sex hormones and during the teen years they are active in the emotional center of the brain. More on teens in future issues.
In Every Issue
Family Ministry Idea: Lent for Kids
Lent is right around the corner. It's a time of self-reflection and remembering, a time of repentance and prayer, a time of giving. But instead of making it a time of negativity and rules and taking away (sacrifice) for kids, try to make it a time of inspiration. Instead of taking away, add something new: a new prayer, devotion time, read a special book or the story of Jesus life in a Children's Bible, etc.
Family Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask that you bring peace to this family. Remind us that You are always listening and are as near as a whisper. Send your Holy Spirit today to encourage us to trust You, guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and defend us from the evil in the world. Amen.