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Formed: 1968 Established: 1968
The Family
Washington, District Of Columbia,
United States
David Brandt Berg, founder of the Family
 The Family, formerly known as the Children of God, was founded in 1968 as a fundamentalist Christian movement. The Family has been operating as a communal society for 37 years, with nearly 800 communities in over 70 countries of the world and over 9,000 full-time and associate members.
The Family's founder, David Brandt Berg, pointed members to the Book of Acts in the Bible as a blueprint of how Christ's disciples should live; sharing their earthly goods and common potting finances, abilities, and resources.
The Family's primary mission is to "preach the Gospel to every creature" by every possible means, such as personal evangelization, humanitarian aid, and the distribution of literature. Two-thirds of their membership is second-generation members, most of whom are homeschooled.
The Family's nonconventional beliefs regarding sexuality have been highlighted by the media. It is the Family's scriptural belief that God created human sexuality and that as such, when practiced as God ordained between consenting persons of the opposite sex and of legal age with the consent of all parties concerned, it is a beautiful creation of God.
In 1995 the Family adopted a governing charter, which codified the beliefs, rights, and responsibilities of full-time Family members. The primary purpose of the Charter is to provide a well-defined governing structure. Within this structure, ample opportunity is provided for Family members to follow what they believe is God's will for them personally.
 
Website: http://www.thefamily.org
Contact:
The Family
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW PMB 102
Washington, District Of Columbia 20006-1811 United States
Phone: 202-298-0838
Email This Community!
Former/Other Names: Children of God
Last Updated:3/18/2005
 
Visitors Accepted
Population
Adult Members:
12
Child Members:
3
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
60% M 40% F
Government
Decision Making:
By majority rule
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(Known as the Steering Council)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
100% income sharing
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Full time commitment)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
Yes
(We believe in the Christian principle of tithing)
Land and Buildings
Urban
Land Owned By:
Other
(we don't purchase land but are renters.)
Number of Residences:
1
Cohousing:
No
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
none
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all meals
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
We all share a common diet
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
Yes
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Other
(Non-conventional Christians)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
 
 
David Brandt Berg, founder of the Family
Early Children of God on a witnessing outing
Witnessing and singing in Europe
Cherrie (Family volunteer) and the excited children with their Bibles. -- Belize.
Children's Benefit Concert, Karachi, Pakistan
Second generation member with homeless children in Sierra Leone
Rachel Scott teaching an adult literacy class, Johannesburg, South Africa
Click an image to see it full size.


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