Instepministries.com Newsletter

Stepping Up	August, 2007 Volume IV #8 Coming Soon! Certification in Single Parent and Stepfamily Ministry We recently presented at the AMFM conference a Certification Course in Single-Parent/Stepfamily Ministry. Beginning this fall, the course will be available in DVD format. Single Parent and Stepfamily Ministry Network One of our new strategic goals at InStep is to serve local stepfamily and single-parent family ministries throughout the U.S. by providing encouragement and awareness. Call 1-888-5InStep for details Stepcouple Intensives Jeff and Judi are currently scheduling several weekend intensives this fall at local (Tucson and Phoenix-metro) bed and breakfasts. The format will be Friday evening and all-day Saturday and will be limited to six couples per weekend. Call 1-888-5INSTEP for details. instepministries.com Seminars and Workshops At conferences, we are often asked, “Are you available to teach at our church?” The answer is, YES! Call 1-888-5INSTEP for details. We Need Your Ministry Stories! If you have a stepfamily or single parent ministry that you have started or participate in, we want to learn about what worked and/or did not work for you. Fund-Raising Campaign We are excited about several new ministry projects in the line-up for 2007-8, including: coaching lay ministry leaders, training support group leaders, parenting training and support for single parents; a care program for children in single parent and stepfamily homes; and a mentoring training program.
Welcome Volume 4 Number 8 Welcome to InStep’s monthly E-Newsletter! Each month we feature practical information for singles, single parents and stepfamilies to help you achieve healthy, authentic relationships. This E-newsletter also provides articles and resources to assist those who are developing or are involved in a non-traditional family ministry. If this newsletter is helpful to you, please let us know. Contact us with feedback, questions or comments toll free at: 1-888-5INSTEP or email: InStepMin@aol.com.
Personal Communiqué Jeff & Judi Parziale
As we look forward to the fall, Jeff and I want to thank all of you for your generous support. We had a great time in Charlotte at the most recent AMFM conference. We introduced a training program in stepfamily and single-parent ministry. This fall, we are planning to launch our first stepcouple intensives. Finally, we are still involved in our capital fund campaign-so far so good. If you are interested in supporting our ministry at any level, we’d love to talk to you. God’s best.
Stepfamily Update
In our recent workbook, Through a Child’s Eyes, we describe the many emotions children experience as a result of divorce and remarriage. This month we present an interesting and informative research study by Dr. Dawn Braithwaite. She and her colleagues examined how young adult stepchildren perceived the communication of their divorced parents and stepparents. If you want to know what your children may be thinking about their stepfamily experience, Read on!
Centered Rather than Caught in the Middle
Dawn O. Braithwaite Ph.D. In a recent study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we invited groups of young adult stepchildren to come together to talk about how the adults in their two houses communicated. We thought the stepchildren would talk most about conflict with their stepparent. To our surprise, they talked about how hard it was to feel caught in the middle between their divorced parents. Read More.
Healing Life’s Hidden Hurts, Part Two
Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not "How can we hide our wounds?" so we don't have to be embarrassed, but "How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?" When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers. Jesus is God's wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed. Jesus' suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others. ~ Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer ~ In this segment on healing life’s hidden hurts, we explore various types of abuse. Abuse comes in different forms, but abusers share a common motivation. Abusers are motivated by the selfish need for power over and control of another person. The repeated use of abusive behaviors has as its goal the weakening of another’s emotional and psychological strengths until they can be driven into submission through fear, hopelessness, confusion and lack of self-worth. Click the link to read about examples of abuse Read more
What's New at InStep?
Coming Soon! Certification in Single Parent and Stepfamily Ministry We recently presented at the AMFM conference a Certification Course in Single-Parent/Stepfamily Ministry. Beginning this fall, the course will be available in DVD format. The course examines the characteristics of single parents and stepfamilies as well as key aspects of ministry development including team building, needs assessment, goal setting, program development and evaluation. For more information, call us toll free at 1-888-5INSTEP. Single Parent and Stepfamily Ministry Network One of our new strategic goals at InStep is to serve local stepfamily and single-parent family ministries throughout the U.S. by providing encouragement and awareness. As a result, we have begun to identify and collect information on these types of ministries across the country. If you participate or know of a local ministry in your “neck of the woods” that would benefit from participating in this network, please email us the contact information. Stepcouple Intensives Jeff and Judi are currently scheduling several weekend intensives this fall at local (Tucson and Phoenix-metro) bed and breakfasts. The format will be Friday evening and all-day Saturday and will be limited to six couples per weekend. If you are looking to strengthen your relationship and understand the challenges of marriage in a stepfamily, then plan a weekend with us. Call 1-888-5INSTEP for details. Seminars and Workshops At conferences, we are often asked, “Are you available to teach at our church?” The answer is, YES! We are available to teach on all topics represented in our books, and Jeff is available for preaching engagements. To book your next workshop, call 1-88-5INSTEP. Single Parent and Stepfamily Ministry Network One of our new strategic goals at InStep is to serve local stepfamily and single-parent family ministries throughout the U.S. by providing encouragement and awareness. As a result, we have begun to identify and collect information on these types of ministries across the country. If you participate or know of a local ministry in your “neck of the woods” that would benefit from participating in this network, please email us the contact information. Developing Healthy Relationships One of our favorite workshops to teach is Developing Healthy Relationships. We believe this is an essential topic for single adults and single parents. You simply cannot be in healthy relationships if you are not spiritually and emotionally healthy. The ongoing workshop is presented each month at the Equally Yoked offices in Tucson and Phoenix. Call 520-721-0800 or email us for details. We Need Your Ministry Stories! If you have a stepfamily or single parent ministry that you have started or participate in, we want to learn about what worked and/or did not work for you. Whether you have used others’ or our resources, we are interested in hearing about your experience. Please email your stories or comments to InStepMin@aol.com and label the subject line as “Ministry Story”. We look forward to hearing from you! WFund-Raising Campaign We are excited about several new ministry projects in the line-up for 2007-8, including: coaching lay ministry leaders, training support group leaders, parenting training and support for single parents; a care program for children in single parent and stepfamily homes; and a mentoring training program. We have talked with a media company about creating video modules for several of our resources. However, we cannot do these projects without your help. Please prayerfully consider becoming involved in reaching non-traditional families for Christ. (Your donations to InStep Ministries are tax deductible.)
About Instep Ministries
We are a 501c3 faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving singles, single parents and stepfamilies and those who minister to them. Our purpose is to influence our culture for Christ. Our passion is to equip people for life. Our vision is to see every single, single parent or stepfamily member connected to a faith community, where they can build authentic relationships, find healing and be equipped to serve. Our mission is to provide resources, counseling and other services that are practical, Biblical, and affordable. InStep is passionate about serving the local church and the millions of individuals in non-traditional families. To learn more about InStep, visit our website:http://www.instepministries.com For details, updates or resources call, toll free, 1-888-5INSTEP. We will answer your questions; just email us: Instepmin@aol.com If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward this newsletter to a friend. If you would like to start a support group or stepfamily ministry in your area, please contact us-- we can help! InStep is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit ministry. Donations are tax-deductible and always welcome. Thank you for your support. Please keep us in your prayers.