The family council, for the purpose of this website, is a meeting of God’s children conducted under the leadership of father and mother. It is the governing body of the family under a theocratic form of government- led by God. It can be used to manage all aspects of family life for the individual members and family as a unit. It manages weekly assignments and activities, family and individual concerns, goals and projects. The Family Council maintains, supports and encourages growth of personality of members through love, unity, and communication. It can also provide the greatest support in times of crises.
Here are several definitions from various authors that elaborate on our definition. 1. “The family council is a regularly scheduled meeting of all members of the family. Its purpose is to take up the business of the family, such as: calendaring information, making plans, establishing rules, expressing complaints, settling quarrels, coming to agreement and making decisions. It is an open forum in which everyone in the family can express his ideas, his opinions, or his complaints without any interruption.”
2. “When family members gather, to make important decisions, to recognize the achievements of members of the family, to discuss discipline, or to plan events, that is a family council
3. “Properly held it (family council) can strengthen family ties, assure the children that they really belong, and convince them that their parents are interested in their welfare as well as in their problems. It can help to protect children against temptation. It can inspire parents to set the necessary examples of righteous living for their children. In such a meeting, parents can win (secure) the cooperation of children in attaining the objectives of quality family living, inviting them to help plan for it, and making them feel a part both of the plan and of its operation. Children will respond if parents will take the initiative in righteous leadership.”
The secret to making the Family Council work is to begin and have them regularly. Begin while the family is young, if possible, use agendas with open communication, and involve all family members. Keep your commitment and follow through with propose actions.