Soulforce, a gay-activist group, will visit several evangelical megachurches this year to "initiate conversation" and "change hearts and minds." Joel Osteen’s church is on the list. So are Saddleback and Willow Creek. Bishops Harry Jackson and T.D. Jakes will be receiving visits, as well. Same-sex couples who are raising children are being recruited to be a part of the group’s American Family Outing. Caleb H. Price, research analyst at Focus on the Family, said the friendly façade belies the goal of the group. He said: “Soulforce claims to want one thing — dialogue — but in reality, what they’re trying to do is disseminate a false doctrine into the wider Body of Christ."

PARENTING GOALS  If a parent’s goal is to raise his or hear children into responsible adults – not just to make kids happy – it’s essential to have a plan. But many moms and dads find themselves making it up as they go along, with little consistency or purpose. In Confident Parenting (Bethany House), national radio host Jim Burns draws from his more than 20 years experience counseling hundreds of families to help parents develop an effective strategy for raising healthy, whole children. Confident parenting may sound like an oxymoron, Burns admits. “I fluctuate between knowing the right stuff to do and absolutely flying by the seat of my pants,’ says the father of three daughters. But he shows readers that with perseverance and endurance, strategy, and intentionality, they can create a grace-filled home. In his book, he offers these seven steps to parenting with confidence. A confident parent perseveres and will: 1. Overcome Negative Family Patterns Even if you grew up in a dysfunctional family, you can be the “transitional generation.” You can break the chain of dysfunction from your past and help your children move beyond negative family patterns.  Are You a Confident Parent?

FAMILY FRIENDLY  It was encouraging, almost a decade ago, when it was announced that some corporate advertisers had banded together to offer their corporate support for television shows that were more friendly to viewing by entire families. The group was called the Family Friendly Programming Forum, and over the years, its presence certainly has helped bring some safer programming to television.  But in the world of the networks, where sleaze, sex, blood and shock are the rule, the definition of "family friendly" can easily be watered down -- and has been. One TV critic announced the FFPF's annual awards show on the CW network in a logical way: "With all the innuendo and violence in prime-time shows, it's amazing they can even field a group of nominees for the annual Family Television Awards." What Does "Family Friendly" Mean?

FAMILY CONCERNS

• Values Voter Report: Republican Primary
• Values Voter Report: Democratic Primary
• Sex Ed: What Are Your Kids Really Learning?
• Government Censorship of Pornography: Good or Bad?
• Be a Cheerleader in Your Marriage
• Now Playing: Family Entertainment Central
  
• Gay Chamber of Commerce Puts Pressure on Small Businesses
• Texas: New fee rankles strip club patron
• The Price of Acceptance