Contemporary families including Christian families are in crisis. The crisis was caused by the nuclear family system, the increase of divorce rate, and the increase of singles and the elderly, which brought about the unbalance of population. With the declining birth rate, the whole population is getting old, and this might lead to dissolution and collapse of the whole family system. What is the identity of family? Family is a 'divine institute,' an institute established by God. First, the origin of family was in God. Family was originated by God when He created man and woman in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), especially when He created woman as helper (Gen 2:18). Through family, man and woman communicate with each other and achieve self-actualization. Second, the purposes of family are to be an instrument to glorify God. to expand the kingdom of God. to enjoy life with a companion. to properly satisfy sexual desires, and to transmit faith between generations through family education. Third, the nature of family is that the biblical identity of family, a divine institute, is applied to everyone including non-Christians, and marriage is the union of whole beings, not just physical union. It is an exclusive and permanent union as well. We can overcome this crisis with family ministry by leading and ministering to families based on the biblical principles. Specifically, the family ministry based on the Bible should be practiced, which demands the training of family ministry leaders in the Bible and theology. And the paradigm of church should be shifted from program-centered to family-centered church, that is, the church should be a big family. In addition, the counseling ministry for Christian families should be strengthened to establish the biblical identity of family and resolve family problems.

Contemporary families including Christian families are in crisis. The crisis was caused by the nuclear family system, the increase of divorce rate, and the increase of singles and the elderly, which brought about the unbalance of population. With the declining birth rate, the whole population is getting old, and this might lead to dissolution and collapse of the whole family system. What is the identity of family? Family is a 'divine institute,' an institute established by God. First, the origin of family was in God. Family was originated by God when He created man and woman in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), especially when He created woman as helper (Gen 2:18). Through family, man and woman communicate with each other and achieve self-actualization. Second, the purposes of family are to be an instrument to glorify God. to expand the kingdom of God. to enjoy life with a companion. to properly satisfy sexual desires, and to transmit faith between generations through family education. Third, the nature of family is that the biblical identity of family, a divine institute, is applied to everyone including non-Christians, and marriage is the union of whole beings, not just physical union. It is an exclusive and permanent union as well. We can overcome this crisis with family ministry by leading and ministering to families based on the biblical principles. Specifically, the family ministry based on the Bible should be practiced, which demands the training of family ministry leaders in the Bible and theology. And the paradigm of church should be shifted from program-centered to family-centered church, that is, the church should be a big family. In addition, the counseling ministry for Christian families should be strengthened to establish the biblical identity of family and resolve family problems.

family, family crisis, biblical identity of family, family ministry, family counseling