Since 1972, over 1,000,000 kids each year have joined the ranks of the children of divorce. These kids face struggles which are very unique and very real. And, unfortunately, many of our churches are ill-equipped to deal with the special needs of this growing segment of their congregations. Whether they worry about addressing the issue of divorce for fear of alienating their congregations, pretend that the problem simply does not exist, or simply fail to recognize the magnitude of the issue, many churches are ill-equipped to deal with, or minister to, children of divorce.
God calls us repeatedly in his word to care for the widows and the orphans. While I believe that these words are meant quite literally to call the church to care for widows and orphaned children, I also believe that they apply to the effective or circumstantial widows (including widowers) and orphans of our time. That would most assuredly include the children of divorce. Children who are forced, by no choice of their own, to wonder between and attempt to acclimate to two separate worlds. When a couple chooses to divorce, at least one party makes a choice. Far from choosing, the children of that divorce, forces upon them a whole new way of life. I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that children hold a special place in God’s heart, and that the hurting children of divorce are part of the “least of these” which Jesus calls us to care for.
The Bible tells us that:
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
These words, and many like them in the Bible, tell me that God is the ultimate source of healing for the children of divorce, and our churches owe it to these kids to be equipped to minister to them effectively.
That is the primary purpose of Divorce Ministry 4 Kids. Our goal is to equip churches and children’s workers in those churches to more effectively and compassionately minister to children of divorce.
We have divorce care for kids at our church. It runs in 2 thirteen week sessions each year. It is a wonderful program that helps kids deal with and heal from some of the stresses of their parents’ divorce. Published by Church Initiative, this program has my highest kudos. We have taught it for several years, and will continue this outreach program for the kids.
Regina,
I would love to talk to you more sometime about your work with DC4K. Would it be ok if I e-mailed you?
The woman who wrote the curriculum for Divorce Care for Kids, Linda Ranson Jacobs, is actually going to be writing a regular guest post for this blog (once a week). I am looking forward to our readers getting the opportunity to learn from her!
Congratulations on your new ministry! How exciting and how necessary! The majority of the families in our communities today are or have lived in a single parent family. I am glad you have been called to minister to the children of divorce and help churches to do the same.
Robyn B Ministries is beginning to encourage, equip and give practical tools to churches on how to effectively minister to single parent families in their communities.
I look forward to connecting in ministry with you, serving together with passion in our callings and under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
I will be praying for you as you launch Divorce Ministry 4 Kids.
Blessings,
Robyn Besemann
Robyn B Ministries