I am forming this thread out of curiosity that stirred from one of my former textbooks that I have started to read since I had no time to read in school. Ironic, eh? The book is in the context of family ministry but the first section of the book addresses the evolving definition of family and how the context of the household has changed throughout time. Let me begin with answering my own question. I consider some of my immediate blood relatives my family such as my baby sister and my father. There are reasons why I do not address all my relatives as family but that will not be discussed in this thread as that is not the purpose of this post. There are grounds for me to consider people my "family" whether biological relatives or not. For example, I would consider my best friend since 2005 my family over 2nd cousins since I barely see them and there are just too many to keep count of in the first place. I consider some of the CC members here as part of my family. Of course, I also choose to bring up my church family which I have grown up with since 2004. These are the people I not only know by mere appearance on Sundays or by relations through the blood of Christ. These are the people I choose to commune with on Sunday morning. This stirs up thoughts as to what people you may consider YOUR family. So, in short: What is your definition of "family"? Second, what standards must they meet to be called your "family"?