Setting Up Stones
a parent's guide to making your home a place of worship
What we're about:
God wants us to make our homes a place of worship, but He wants it to be as exciting and memorable right in the middle of a Wii and MTV culture as it was when rivers were parting and pillars of fire were in the sky.
Setting Up Stones is about creating an atmosphere in our home that draws our family and friends to interact with each other...and God. We'll share our thoughts and ideas, games and activities that will involve the whole family. And, since this is intended to be a community, we invite you to join in! What has worked for you? Where are you struggling? What advice can you give? Youll find resources here that will inspire and encourage you as you make you home a place where God is alive and relevant.
God told Joshua and the men of Israel to take rocks from the bottom of the Jordan River and set them in their dwelling places, because your children will ask you, What do these stones mean? Then you can tell them, They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lords Covenant went across. These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.
Just think of this site as the banks of your own Jordan River. As you're here, ask God to show you how you can set up stones in your own house.
Who we are:
Martha and Greg Singleton have, for 30 years, met the challenges of balancing successful careers and raising a faith-filled family, and in the process, they have gained some valuable insights.
Chosen as one of Texas Top Ten Teachers by the University of Texas in 2008, Martha was also named by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and the Wall Street Journal as one of four Distinguished Newspaper Advisers in America in 2007. Since 1972, Martha has built some of the nations most highly acclaimed scholastic journalism programs. Her former students have gone on to top positions with major collegiate publications as well as city newspapers, television and radio news desks, and magazines across the United States. Other former students are advertising executives, graphic designers, a television screenwriter, the Media Director for the Houston Rockets NBA team, and an Emmy Award-winning correspondent for ABC News. She is a past recipient of the Edith Fox King Award for Outstanding Teaching and Service to Texas Journalism Education, and served as the President of the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. Martha was appointed to the Texas State Textbook Selection Committee, and was nominated to the San Antonio Womens Hall of Fame in the Education category. She is a noted speaker at journalism conferences and workshops across the country, including Columbia University's annual scholastic journalism convention. She also serves on the Board of Judges for Columbia Universitys scholastic press association.
Developing focus and strategies for companies across the country, Greg has structured a successful career in marketing and public relations. He has been a partner for the past 20 years in a consulting firm that has provided creative sales and marketing direction for numerous companies across the country. During his career, he has generated projects with such entities as ABC Sports, ESPN, Miss USA pageants, General Electric, Promise Keepers and the United States Football League. A legacy of faith has been passed down through his family for generations, creating a sensitivity within him to the church and ministry. As a result, at various times during his life, Greg has been called upon to serve in music, youth and pastoral positions, and in consulting positions in various churches throughout Texas.
The Singletons have been featured speakers at family life conferences, seminars, workshops, churches of various denominations, schools, organizations and businesses. They creatively share their experiences and insights with pragmatism and humor. Their gifts and unique abilities as communicators have been demonstrated in their own home church and in other churches throughout the region, where, through the years, they have been called upon to direct ministries for middle schoolers, high schoolers, collegians, singles and young families, and serve as pastors and as ministers of music.
Their book, Setting Up Stones: A Parents Guide to Making Your Home a Place of Worship, was released by New Hope Publishers on October 1. It redefines worship in light of todays world, and presents practical examples and specific activities that parents can use to involve their family in dynamic, relevant worship, moving beyond the quickly read daily thought to engaging, entertaining exercises that captivate the whole family.
Perhaps the most significant validation of Greg and Marthas ministry to families is the resumes of their own children. Anne is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, with a degree in Education. She teaches high school theatre arts in San Antonio, Texas. Anne is married to Robbie Bridges, Youth Pastor at Trinity Church in San Antonio, and takes an active role along side him in ministry to students. Matt holds an MS in Education from Baylor University. Matts affiliation with Fellowship of Christian Athletes has afforded him numerous opportunities as a speaker in churches, and at youth rallies and youth camps. He teaches high school English, and is also planting a church in urban San Antonio. From the beginning, we determined to build our home and relationship on Biblical principles, striving to practically apply them through the days, weeks and years, Martha said, and our children, by Gods grace, have chosen to join us in the journey.
Martha
Greg
News and Events:
FamilyLife Today
Martha and Greg appeared on FamilyLife Today with Dr. Dennis Rainey on December 7 and 8. Listen to the broadcast now!
PART ONE
Blog:
What people are saying:
"Martha and Greg have made a strategic spiritual contribution to todays families by sharing practical, relevant, exciting ways to make our homes true places of worship homes where our children can learn to love God, live for Him, apply His word effectively in their daily life experiences, encounters and decisions, as well as how to live out Gods wonderful plan for their lives and impact others for Him as they go. This book [Setting Up Stones] is most timely and is filled with hope and help for all who read it."
Wanda Bailey
Childrens Ministry Coordinator
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
"I hope that God creates a viral movement that multiplies your ministry ten times...nothing, absolutely nothing would thrill me more."
Dr. Dennis Rainey
President
FamilyLife
"I wish we had had Setting Up Stones when we were raising our children. Its very insightful and full of grace you do need a lot of that when youre raising little ones. Blessings on your project!"
Fletch Wiley
Grammy and Dove Award winning producer
Capital Church, McLean, Virginia
"Setting Up Stones is an authentic, practical and insightful book. Its not just about family devotions. Instead, its an inspirational example of what a Godly family should look like in the twenty-first century. Families at any stage of life can rejuvenate their spiritual and family relationships.
As a family physician, I see tremendous struggles in families which cause mental, emotional and physical illness. I know that incorporating the ideas in this book would greatly improve every aspect of health in families. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a more cohesive family and an atmosphere of worship in their home."
Michael Newnam, MD
Harvard Family Physicians, Tulsa, Oklahoma
"I think Setting Up Stones is for all parents trying to influence their kids in a healthy manner. The Singletons do a good job of offering hope, and that hope will bring peace, comfort and a host of other good stuff.
They describe an environment where worship is really an ongoing learning process, which is very refreshing. After reading this book, I am encouraged to pile up a few stones of my own in such a way that my family responds to who God is. Thank you for reminding me of the little things that matter."
Byron Weathersbee, Ed.D.
Legacy Family Ministries, Waco, Texas
"In their book, Setting Up Stones, Greg and Martha Singleton have illustrated the truth with exercises and anecdotes that pattern excellent models of behavior. I would be pleased to recommend this book not only as an adult alternative Sunday School study, but also as an at-home study for families wanting better ways to practice their faith."
Sanford Williams
Certified Family Counselor
Pastor of Christian Education
Trinity Church, San Antonio, Texas
Contact us or book an event:
Ideas: Links: Media:
buy the book now
