Reimagining Church as Family

When you hear "family," what comes to mind? For some, it's a picture-perfect image, but most families are far more complex, with single parents juggling challenges, adoptive homes redefining belonging, empty nesters navigating new seasons, grandparents stepping in to parent, and spiritual orphans longing for connection. Reimagining Church as Family explores what Scripture says about family and how God's design extends deeper than our limited definitions. This book calls the church to not only support families but to be family, a spiritual home where every believer belongs and discipleship thrives.

A dad to three sons, Rich Griffith, D.Min., is professor of youth ministry at Toccoa Falls College. Rich also serves as a part-time pastor, contributes regularly to various Youth Specialties products, and is featured on several podcasts. Dr. Griffith has worked with teens and families for over 30 years. His life-long work in youth and family ministry, single-dad, and his academic pursuits, have given him a passion to help young people and those who disciple them.

JJ Jones is a graduate of Union University and holds an M.Div. (Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary) and a D.Min. (Fuller Theological Seminary). With almost 40 years of ministry experience in youth and family ministry, groups and discipleship, he is currently the pastor of groups at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, and an adjunct professor at Toccoa Falls College, where he teaches youth ministry, ministry leadership, and spiritual formation classes. His passion is to equip others to cultivate legacies of faith. Dr. Jones and his wife, Anna, live in Franklin, Tennessee, and have two grown children and two grandchildren.