Faith Begins at Home: The Family Makeover with Christ at the Center [Paperback]

Mark Holmen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2007

A book for parents that will inspire, motivate and equip them to establish their home as the primary place where faith is nurtured. This book is filled with inspirational stories and practical ideas that families can begin implementing today to bring Christ and Christ-like living into the center of their home.  This resource isa perfect gift to give to new parents and it also has discussion questions at the end of each chapter which also makes it a perfect resource for family small groups.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In the past, faith was a central part of the family's home life, passd on fom generation to generation. Today, the reality for many families is that faith is no more than one-hour, drop-off Christianity, if it is present at all. What does this mean for the faith of our children? How will they come to know Christ? And how does a family put Christ at the center of their busy lives?

About the Author

MARK A. HOLMEN is a national and international consultant and speaker for the Faith At Home movement, which equips congregations to make the home the primary place where faith is nurtured. Mark served as senior pastor of Ventura Missionary Church until 2009, when he stepped down in order to pursue full-time Faith At Home ministry. Mark and his wife, Maria, have been married for more than 18 years and have a daughter, Malyn.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Regal (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830738134
• ISBN-13: 978-0830738137
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Willow Creek Association Children's Blog, February 7, 2008

By 

K. Van Peursem - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faith Begins at Home: The Family Makeover with Christ at the Center (Paperback)

December 03, 2007

Thoughts from Lou Ann

From The Willow Creek Association Children's Blog

I just read a great book by Mark Holmen.

Building Faith at Home is one of those rare books that not only challenges the way we do ministry, but actually suggests some practical steps to change our church culture - one family at a time.

We know the statistics. We've read Barna; we've been to conferences; we've seen the results of drop-off children's ministry. We're all praying, thinking and dialoging about how to make our ministries more effective and turn the statistics around, and yet - change is painfully slow. Parents still seem apathetic when it comes to assuming responsibility for the faith of their children. In the minds of Christian parents, they're leaving the process of their children's spiritual formation to the professionals - after all, it works with piano lessons, soccer and calculus!

I am determined that things will be different for the kids in my church. I am determined that my kids will have every opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior; I am determined that my kids will become fully devoted followers of Jesus; I am determined that my kids will not walk away from their faith and church when they leave home for college.

That's why I'm so excited about Holmen's book. Holmen advocates taking a different avenue to family ministry. Just as many churches have adopted the phrase, "a church OF small groups" rather than "a church WITH small groups," we must become a church OF family ministry. We must "focus on the home as the primary place for nurturing faith." Everything we do at church - small groups, men's ministry, Bible studies - even sermons - must equip the family to live out their faith at home. And here's where the book gets practical. Already having child dedication Sundays? Meet with the parents of these young children and teach them how to pray over their babies. Already honoring your high school graduates? Use this as an opportunity to equip their parents to prepare their kids for the test of faith called "college."

Holmen suggests having annual "Take It Home" events for every age group - and these events are held on Sunday when families are already at church! Why didn't I think of that? Once a year, parents join their child's small group for a "Take It Home" event. And here's another good idea - with every event, you send home a tool to reinforce your topic.

Strategic curriculum, family productions, family newsletters, making children's ministry the best hour of a kid's week, and now Take It Home - we might just have an impact that can change lives!

[...]

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speak it brother..., October 28, 2007

By 

Paul V. Verlangieri - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faith Begins at Home: The Family Makeover with Christ at the Center (Paperback)

I am a children's Pastor, and "Faith begins a home" is what's it's all about. This has been an amazing tool to share with my leadership as well as with parents.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the family, February 12, 2011

By 

D. J. Martinez (Nampa, ID) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Faith Begins at Home: The Family Makeover with Christ at the Center (Paperback)

If you are new to Christianity and do not know how to bring your faith home then this is the best book for you. With great ideas and activities. This little book will help you to bring your religion out of the Church and into your daily life.