Does it take a village to raise a child these days?

Many of us are familiar with the African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. As congregations, we can potentially provide a great village to support parents in raising their children in life and in faith.

However, I often wondered how we could better encourage congregations to fully grasp this opportunity and bring it to life as it seems that, more than ever, parents need support in a rapidly changing society with its many challenges.

I was intrigued when I learned about Rachel Turner, a family ministry practitioner and presenter from the UK, and her book, It takes a church to raise a parent. I discovered a helpful, down-to-earth and humorous book that provides a blueprint for congregations in their role of supporting parents and the wider congregation in our role in raising a child.

I’m so thankful and excited that Rachel Turner will be visiting Australia and New Zealand in person in August and September 2023. I encourage you to attend one of her sessions being hosted across our countries.

For more information, visit rachelturnerdownunder.com/#locations

Jodi Brook is the director of Grow Ministries.