Cross-Generation 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/30/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
Do you feel overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your parenting? And perhaps you even feel disconnected from your children? Reverse the trend starting today. It is possible to parent peacefully, and connect with your children even in the midst of discipline.
Our team provides biblically-based live and virtual mentoring that brings hope to your family.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Connected Families
10800 Old County Rd 15
Suite 100
Plymouth, MN 55441
Website: connectedfamilies.org
Phone: 952-448-3625
Email: info@connectedfamilies.org
Organization details
EIN: 010711547
CEO/President: Anna Braasch
Chairman: Dave Scouler
Board size: 5
Founder: Jim and Lynne Jackson
Ruling year: 2002
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2020
Purpose
What makes a great parent? It's the burning question most parents ask at some point in their parenting journey. Is there a secret formula? A magical to-do list? And if those parenting weapons exist, where can you find them?
That exact burning question also sparked a desire in Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, to fill a growing need for fresh, biblically sound and practical parenting resources. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families, and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God centered, parenting resources to all families since 2002.
Mission statement
To give hope and build strength in families by encouraging and equipping them with life-changing principles and practices for connected relationships in all homes.
Statement of faith
God is bigger and better than we can imagine and yet He desires to have a personal relationship with us.
The Bible is God's perfect guidebook for us.
Jesus is God revealing Himself to us.
God lives in and through His followers today through the Holy Spirit.
God's grace and our faith is how we begin and develop a growing relationship with God.
God works through all things, including difficulties in the lives of those who follow Him.
Heaven and hell are real places.
Death is a beginning, not the end.
The church exists to increase the reputation of God and to serve people, just as Jesus served people.
Jesus is coming again.
For a more complete statement of Connected Families' core beliefs, including Bible verses, see below.
The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, verbally and fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts and that it has supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32)
The Trinity
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 3; John 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 4:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, who is infinite, just, personal, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of people; He hears and answers prayer; and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6; Romans 3:26; Deuteronomy 32:4)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, victorious resurrection on the third day, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth. (John 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30-31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 6:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:6-9)
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. The Holy Spirit continually draws believers closer to God, transforms them into the image of Jesus Christ, empowers them for ministry, and distributes spiritual gifts to the church. (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26-27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26)
Salvation
We believe that all people are created in the image of God; that humans sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual and eternal death, which is separation from God; that as a consequence, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. We believe that those who repent, receive and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are, in Christ, delivered or "saved" from condemnation and enjoy the free gift of eternal life. (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3; Genesis 5:2; John 1:12; John 3:14, 16; John 5:24, 30; John 8:12; John 10:26)
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all those that follow him as their Lord and Savior are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of followers of Jesus Christ who gather for worship, growth, service, and fellowship. We believe God ordained His church to bring hope to the world through the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ as we seek to make disciples in His name. (Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:19)
Christian Conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct, by God's grace, should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their time and possessions for God's purposes; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. We believe we are called to live our lives consistent with the standards of biblical teaching, including fellowship with and encouragement of the body of Christ; corporate and individual prayer, service and giving; by living lives in word and deed that are an encouragement to others to know and be like Jesus Christ; and by reflecting in all our relationships the servant-love of our Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 14:15, 23-24; 1 John 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:9-10)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Community Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 419 of 1022 | 29 of 76 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 415 of 1024 | 27 of 76 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 508 of 1024 | 33 of 76 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 474 of 1022 | 40 of 76 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 9% | 6% | 13% | 13% | 11% | 11% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 3% | 7% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 78% | 52% | 54% | 30% | 22% | 22% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 22% | 48% | 46% | 70% | 78% | 78% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 79% | 81% | 82% | 84% | 86% | 89% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 92% | 87% | 111% | 100% | 93% | 95% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 73% | 70% | 91% | 84% | 80% | 85% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 8% | 13% | -11% | 0% | 7% | 5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 10% | 12% | -11% | 0% | 13% | 11% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 15% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.81 | 0.72 | 1.10 | 1.33 | 1.49 | 1.49 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.04 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.21 | 1.24 | 1.25 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.73 | 0.72 | 1.10 | 1.61 | 1.84 | 1.86 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 11.12 | 65.35 | 75.86 | 24.45 | 22.00 | 21.84 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.93 | 16.31 | 10.77 | 7.16 | 6.22 | 6.15 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 7% | 7% | 19% | 15% | 28% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 3% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 11% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 97% | 128% | 85% | 61% | 57% | 48% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $872,968 | $774,038 | $623,773 | $562,545 | $484,239 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $10,445 | $11,285 | $204,461 | $197,951 | $293,773 |
| Short-term investments | $9,844 | $25 | $6,277 | $16,024 | $3,419 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $893,257 | $785,348 | $834,511 | $776,520 | $781,431 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $184 | $783 | $177,277 | $186,246 | $195,915 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $184 | $783 | $177,277 | $186,246 | $195,915 |
| Total assets | $893,441 | $786,131 | $1,011,788 | $962,766 | $977,346 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $13,669 | $10,352 | $34,129 | $35,299 | $35,785 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $13,669 | $10,352 | $34,129 | $35,299 | $35,785 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $110,976 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $48,909 | $44,934 | $162,854 | $112,791 | $125,009 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $48,909 | $44,934 | $162,854 | $112,791 | $235,985 |
| Total liabilities | $62,578 | $55,286 | $196,983 | $148,090 | $271,770 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $830,863 | $730,845 | $814,805 | $814,676 | $705,576 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $830,863 | $730,845 | $814,805 | $814,676 | $705,576 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $387,642 | $418,143 | $399,134 | $331,020 | $331,838 |
| Program service revenue | $202,674 | $234,137 | $847,715 | $1,168,754 | $1,174,550 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $3,355 | $100,884 | $111 | $539 | $576 |
| Other revenue | $153,466 | $26,534 | $94,664 | $39,241 | $22,617 |
| Total other revenue | $359,495 | $361,555 | $942,490 | $1,208,534 | $1,197,743 |
| Total revenue | $747,137 | $779,698 | $1,341,624 | $1,539,554 | $1,529,581 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $525,054 | $708,829 | $1,127,393 | $1,235,230 | $1,297,032 |
| Management and general | $98,673 | $102,037 | $161,658 | $158,284 | $121,777 |
| Fundraising | $23,392 | $52,792 | $52,444 | $36,940 | $36,425 |
| Total expenses | $647,119 | $863,658 | $1,341,495 | $1,430,454 | $1,455,234 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $100,018 | ($83,960) | $129 | $109,100 | $74,347 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $100,018 | ($83,960) | $129 | $109,100 | $74,347 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| James Jackson | President & Founder | $85,543 |
| Lynne Jackson | Co-Founder | $62,984 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2020
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/30/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
Jim and Lynne Jackson were dissatisfied with the parenting resources available to them as young parents. The prescriptions for parenting that they had encountered had been largely ineffective for the raising of their spirited young crew of three, Daniel, Bethany, and Noah. Each of these kids was highly sensitive, had allergies galore, was extremely active, and -- well, let's just say they were gifted at self-expression.
Jim & Lynne's dissatisfaction extended to their professional lives as well. Jim was working with high risk teens and Lynne as an occupational therapist working with young kids, and they both saw lots of problems with widely accepted and conventional teaching about parenting.
So Jim & Lynne started a journey in their own family and with other parents to discover what it takes to see big changes happen - not so much in managing behavior, but in the quality of relationships that build strong influence with kids' hearts. They started reading everything they could about child development and discipline. They began to find their way into a profound understanding of how God's grace intersects with the "mess" of parenting. They kept working with parents and testing ideas. Then in the late 90's Lynne stumbled on a scripture passage that changed everything: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-12.
In this passage Paul says he was like a mother and a father as he discipled his beloved "children". His authority came not from forcing his will, but from humbly serving as a nursing mother - gentle, loving, and caring; then as a father - encouraging, comforting, and urging godly living. Here it was! The biblical model for parenting - humble, loving, encouraging, and instructive, all wrapped into one. This passage is deep and rich, often overlooked as a source of parenting wisdom, yet it seems to powerfully capture the essence of Godly parenting. It reveals that the whole model of Paul to his spiritual children - and the model of Jesus to his - is deeply instructive for parenting kids today.
The penetrating depth of this new insight led Jim & Lynne to their life calling.
In 2002 Connected Families launched out of Jim & Lynne's home office. They voraciously studied, wrote, and mobilized in partnership with churches to equip parents of young kids. They had a passion to prevent the trouble they had both witnessed first-hand in struggling families. The word spread and soon the two were speaking to a hundred audiences each year while raising their growing crew.
As they kept learning and growing it became clear that the ideas they developed had broad application to families of all kinds. The fruit of their experience has been captured for the benefit of any parent whose search leads them to Connected Families. In the archives on this site you will get to know them well. You'll get to know the whole Connected Families team. And we want to get to know you.