What is Orange?

Today, I realized that I have been writing about the “Orange philosophy” for about two years, but I don’t remember if I have ever taken the time to explain it. So, here is a fairly brief explanation and a video.

Orange is a philosophy of ministry based on bringing the church and the family together, in order to promote the same thing at the same time for the same goal. That goal is to help children grow up to know, love, and serve Jesus all the days of their lives. So often, though, churches and families are not on the same page. In fact, parents often see the church as the place to drop their kids off, go do their own thing, and come back to holy children. However, that is not how it should be, and it often does not work that way.

The reThink Group has coined the “Orange” concept from the “Red” (heart of the family) and the “Yellow” (light of the church) partnering together. It is about the church providing resources and training to parents, helping them take the lead as the spiritual leaders in their homes. Sure, we still have times for kids, students, and adults to learn on their own, but we are always pushing a partnership. Orange provides some curriculum to help pull this off, which is not necessary, but it does help. It is really all about a mindset. Are we going to continue separating the church and family? Are we going to keep “silo-ing” our ministries? Or are we going to bring it all together and focus on the same thing, partnering together?

For those who need a visual, here’s a video from Orange, themselves.

For others who want to learn more, be sure to check out The Orange Tour or The Orange Conference!

———-

This week is “Orange Week” again, and while I won’t be posting something new every day (as I have in the past), I did want to point you to all the others who are writing about Orange all week. Be sure to check out their stuff!

Amy Fenton Lee, The Inclusive Church
Austin Walker, YouthMin
Ben Read, YouthMin
Ben Kerns, Average Youth Ministry
Cass Brannan
Elle Campbell, Stuff You Can Use
Henry Zonio, Kidmin and Culture
Jared Massey, Small Town Kidmin
Jenny Funderburke
Jeremy Lee, Uthmin
Joe McAlpine
Jonathan Cliff
Mary Carver, Giving Up on Perfect
Matt McKee
Matt Norman, It’s Pastor Matt
Michael Bayne
Nick Blevins
Paul Mannio, Orange Dad
Ryan Reed
Sam Luce
Tom Pounder, Ministry Blackboard
Tonya Langdon, Kidmin 1124 and Special Need Kidz
Wendy Douglas, Saved Sister
JC Thompson, http://jcisonline.com