Presentations

Pastors' Kids (ages 10-years-old and younger). Contributed by Inter-American Division. Available in English, Spanish, and French (PPT and Word)

Developing Positive Relationships between Pastors & Their Children

Elaine and Willie Oliver discuss how pastors can have healthy and positive relationships with their kids.

North America Pastoral Family Research Report, David Sedlacek and Duane McBride

This is a report from a study of the stressors faced by Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their families in the North American Division. While the data are extensive and complex, we feel that the results are clear: the front-line leadership in the Seventh-day Adventist church, pastors and their families, experience levels of stress that are not sustainable for the future health of the Church. The results of this study comprise a call to action on the part of the higher levels of our Church organization to intervene and reduce the stressors associated with pastoral roles, expectations, and family life.

Balancing Church and Family Life - Pamela Consuegra - Ministry Magazine, November 2011

What do Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White have to say about our responsibilities to our families? “If anyone does not take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8, ISV). “Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air” (Proverbs 11:29, The Message). “There is no more important missionary field than our own home”*

Laurie Snyman “Re-Organizing Your Priorities.”

There are many feelings we experience when we are overwhelmed. It can be everything from that sinking feeling in your chest, knowing that you have too much to do, the all too real fear of not keeping up and the fear of careening out of control. There is the feeling of hurt that comes when you think you are letting people down, even yourself. There is even guilt in not having enough time to spend with your spouse and your children. Then, there is the physical manifestation when pain sets into the muscles in our backs, our necks, and our shoulders. All of this can happen when we have gotten our priorities out of balance.

Roger & Kathy Hernandez with Willie and Elaine Oliver on Real Family Talk

Roger & Kathy Hernandez with Willie and Elaine Oliver on Real Family Talk

Family Bonding and Family Dinner - Duane McBride, Ministry Magazine March 2013

Among other reasons, God created families in order to protect, nurture, and train children. The family is also a setting where children learn the language and core values of their culture. While some detractors of the family system have tried other alter­natives, God provided no substitute for His original plan for the family. Seventh-day Adventists have always emphasized the importance of the family. Given the high rate of divorce, single-parent families, and family con­flict, our current society faces a crisis in the family that has a destructive impact on society and the church.

The Family That Eats Together

My teenager isn’t engaged in our family anymore. What can we do?”

“How can I protect my children from the risky behaviors all around them?”

“My daughter is struggling with school; how can we help her at home?”

“My son’s always on some sort of technology and tunes me out. What should I do?”

Have you ever had anyone ask you questions such as these? While we all know there is no cure-all for anything in life, there is something simple, inexpensive, and available to all—your family, parishioners, and community—a powerful tool to face such problems that relate to kids. Connect with your kids and help make them healthier, improve their test scores, and reduce the chance of risky behaviors by using this simple tip: eat family meals together!

PKs: Staying in the Church

When pastors’ kids (PKs) choose not to remain in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, it is a heartbreaking experience for their parents, who have dedicated their lives to building up and nurturing the church. Why do these kids choose not to be part of the church?

PKs--The Positive and the Negative

As a new bride, I was happy to be married to a minister and excited about working as a team, but it was only weeks into our first pastorate that I sunk into depres­sion. My husband was welcomed by all and had instant friends, but for many weeks, I felt like running from the sanctuary in tears. I was surrounded by people, yet I felt terribly lonely.

PAKIA

Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division Pastor's Kids Association Manual.

The Children of Podillya

Ukraine Union sharing how to help PKs with the variety of unique issues they face being part of a ministry family.

At Home Conversation Starters

Short video clips dealing with various issues to help start conversations at home with your PK.