| In
the process of completely rewriting the theological and biblical
section, the focus became purpose: What are families for? And
the answer flows out of baptismal theology: “The identity
given us at baptism takes precedence over family origins, ethnicity,
social identity, or gender; for all are one in Jesus Christ.”
Our basic identity flows from the sheer grace of God through
the waters of baptism. We go through this not alone, but surrounded
by communal and familial bonds. When those within a community
pledge to the baptized to guide them “by word and deed,
with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ,”
they do so regardless of their age or station in life. All are
called into this relationship with one another.
The vocation or purpose of the family is a specific living
out of this basic Christian vocation, so there is reciprocity
at the heart of family life. In the mandate to help each other
“grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ”
(Eph. 4:15), all are called: older toward younger and younger
toward older, children toward parents and parents toward children.
All members of a household share a common vocation toward one
another and the whole household.
Family life that is shaped by the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, for the love of God, in the communion of the Holy Spirit
finds its purpose beyond itself in the joyful worship of God—loving
God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving neighbors.
Thus, the vocation of family does not end with itself.
Authentic Christian discipleship moves us beyond ourselves
in service to the whole human community. Families of all types
struggle, and any family can be torn apart by abuse, economic
devastation, desertion, and other reversals. The welfare of
all families should not be ignored by withdrawal into residential,
educational, and even religious enclaves of privilege. The Confession
of 1967 reminds us that reliance on Scripture impels the church
to service beyond itself: “The life, death, resurrection,
and promised coming of Jesus Christ have set the pattern for
the church’s mission. His human life involves the church
in the common life of all people. His service to men and women
commits the church to work for every form of human well-being.”
In the Reformed tradition, one cannot talk about the centrality
of family without discussion of marriage. “Transforming
Families” borrows the language of the Confession of 1967
to call the marital-biological family “basic”: it
exemplifies God’s ordering of the world and is necessary
for human flourishing, but it is not exhaustive as the only
form of human family that can fulfill God’s intention
for humankind. In marriage, there should be mutuality lived
out between spouses.
But if marriage is basic and not exclusive, then there is a
vital role to be played by single persons (a vocation often
forgotten in our church). The paper calls on all to extend themselves
in family-type relationships with others, particularly focused
on the nurture of children.
The nurture of children, in our church and beyond, is a vital
issue before us all. As we teach them about God, equip them
for productive lives, and work on their behalf against corrosive
societal practices, we live out our baptismal vocations daily. |
