Biography

Ronald Merle Flowers is a native of New Brunswick, Canada. His interest in ministry to families goes back to his early experience in pastoral ministry during which he sensed an urgent need. He is certified in Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME), and in Adventist Marriage Enrichment. Ron, with his wife Karen, is co-director of the Department of Family Ministries for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has worked in this specialized field at the church's world headquarters since 1980. He and Karen have presented family life seminars on marriage, parenting and family living in some 85 countries. Ron has authored, co-authored or edited with Karen more than 35 major books, manuals and resources on family ministries.

The Flowers have two adult sons: Jeff, who with his wife, Pam, works in development in Azerbaijan, and Jon, who is a genetics researcher at New York University in Manhattan, New York.

Current Research or Professional Activities

Ron is the author and co-author of numerous journal articles on marriage, parenting, and family life. Many of his articles have appeared in the Adventist Review, Ministry and other denominational journals. He has received the designation of Certified Family Life Educator from the National council on Family Relations (1990). With Karen he has received the Distinguished Service Award for Family Ministries from the North American Division of the General conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

A member of the National Council on Family Relations since 1980, Ron was a member of its executive committee as the chair of the Religion and Family Life section from 1985-1988. His doctoral program included an emphasis in marriage and family. His doctoral thesis was entitled "Improving Satisfaction in the Adolescent Family: An Approach to Parent Education Incorporating Structural Family Systems Theory."

As an adjunct professor with Andrews University, he has presented family seminars on campus and coordinates the Family Ministry concentration for the DMin program.