Stepping Up

Volume 3 Number 5

Welcome. Each month we feature practical information that you can use in your life and family. Please feel free to contact us with feedback, questions or comments via phone at: 1-888-5INSTEP (toll free) or email: info@instepministries.com.

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 passion is equipping 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 and services that are practical, Biblical, and affordable. To learn more about InStep, visit our website: www.instepministries.com.

Personal Moment
Judi and I recently returned from the AMFM East Coast Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. What a great time! Charlotte is a beautiful city and the host church, Carmel Baptist, was amazing; hats off to Ralph Owen, Family Pastor, and the rest of the Carmel staff and volunteers. While the conference presentations were excellent, what made the conference great were the relationships we formed. We spent time with friends from around the country, catching up on their lives and ministries, and we made some great new friends. I want to share two of the many highlights. First, PBS was there filming the conference and several participants, including Linda Ranson-Jacobs with whom we were doing a presentation on Adjustment Issues for Children of Divorce and Remarriage. They filmed a segment of that presentation—so we stayed as close to Linda as we could, hoping to get on tape. Seriously, the highlight of the conference was the two general session presentations by Tom and Bev Rogers and Richard Marks. They allowed us into their lives by sharing authentically about their spiritual and emotional wounds. Their presentations were both moving and freeing. We went to minister to others, and yet, we found ourselves blessed beyond our expectations. If you would like outlines or handouts of any of our presentations from this conference, please email us.

AMFM West Coast Conference—Coming Soon
AMFM conferences are not just about great speakers and great training—they are like a family reunion (the good kind). If you have never attended an AMFM conference, you are missing something very special. On July 25-28, we will be presenting and exhibiting at AMFM’s West Coast Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona to be held at the five–diamond resort, Fairmont Princess Hotel. The line-up of speakers is amazing- Norm Wright, John Trent, Tom and Bev Rogers, Ron Deal, Linda Ransom-Jacobs, Kirk Weaver and many others. If you live near the west coast and you have a passion for marriage and family ministry, then this conference is for you. We have the AMFM promo video on our website to provide you or your pastor with more information about the conference.

Stepfamily Moment
Getting Healthy
In light of the recent ABC Primetime documentary on stepfamilies, it seems appropriate to talk about healthy stepfamilies. In fairness, most stepfamilies do not look or function like the ones featured on the show. Many stepfamilies are very healthy, and both adults and children are loved and nurtured. It is also clear that healthy stepfamilies don’t just happen by magic; something intentional has to be done. Stepfamilies become healthiest in at atmosphere of grace and trust that is created, modeled, and initiated by the couple. In this grace-based environment, authentic relationships are built as family members can safely identify, share, negotiate and blend needs, concerns, disappointments, and disagreements. Trust is built when family members feel safe and protected, and valued and affirmed. Trust and safety provide the fertile ground for stepfamily health. These relationships do not happen overnight; it takes four to seven years to build this kind of environment. But the time and effort are worth it, at least to the many stepfamilies we interview and counsel. Unfortunately, ABC did us all a disservice by not showing a balanced look at stepfamily life.

Upcoming Events

• Jeff will be continuing his series on developing healthy relationships in Tucson and Phoenix. Call 520-721-0800 for details.
• July 25-28, 2006 Jeff and Judi will be presenting and exhibiting at the West Coast AMFM conference in Scottsdale, AZ.
• Coming this fall, a training course for pastors, Preparing Couples for Remarriage (Tucson, AZ).

Get Involved!

• Join the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM). Attend a 2006 conference. Website: www.amfmonline.com
• April 28th is Compassion Sunday. Please consider sponsoring a child.
• Tucson: Friday Night “Stepping Out” Singles: Pantano Christian Church-10355 E. 29th. Street.
• Tucson: Stepcouple Life Group: New format—Friday nights at Pantano Christian Church beginning April 21st. Food and childcare available. Hosted by Ron and Jane Lowery. For information call: 520-290-1094. This group is open to anyone.
• Tucson: Single Parent Support Group at Casas Church; Tuesday nights at 7 PM. Call Evelyn Wright: 520-878-1101.
• Tucson: Tucson Association of Evangelicals: join pastors and leaders for fellowship on May 12, 2006 11:30 AM, Offices of Family Life Radio, Ina and Oracle. Call 520-721-0800 for more information call.
• Online: Now you can register online at www.instepministries.com to participate in our new online forum! Topics include Stepfamilies, Single Adults, Single Parents, and more!
• Thanks to all, of you who responded to our call for assistance. We are still looking for audio-visual help and a part-time receptionist.
  

For details and updates on InStep activities,
call 520-721-0800 or email us: InStepmin@aol.com

To order InStep resources, call 1-888-5INSTEP

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell 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.