Taking Care of the Present, or the Future?

A common thought present in many Christian congregations is that we need to "raise up the next generation".  In many congregations, you will hear of the need to reach the "younger generation".  Ministers and pastors are often called to help reach "young families", and given that task.  And yes, these are good and noble intentions.  We want to reach out with the saving message of forgiveness and renewal in Jesus to the next generation, to families with children and the like.

At the same time, this mindset or approach can carry some unintended consequences.  Imagine that you are a senior adult at a congregation who wants to reach "young families."  Where does that put you?  Are you not worth ministering to?  And at the same time, we also have to ask the question, are there older people in our communities who need that saving message of forgiveness and renewal in Jesus delivered to them as well?

Do we take care of the present, or of the future?  Actually, I would venture a different question.  Why can't we do both?  Why can't we show that God's grace is present for current believing and unbelieving seniors, and is also there for the younger people who both believe and do not yet believe?  Sure, the approach to such varied groups may be far different, but I would suggest that, to do one at the expense of the other is actually a harmful thing.

Think about the wisdom that a more mature Christian can pass along to someone of the younger generation.  Or, think of the smile that a young Christian can bring to even the most hardened of seniors, even if they simply tell that senior that Jesus loves them as they give them a hug.  Sometimes we need the seniors to pass along wisdom and teach maturity to the younger generation, and at times we need the younger generation to remind the seniors that Jesus spoke of receiving the kingdom of God as a child, with a child-like faith. 

Sure, nurturing those within a congregation who fit this whole span can be a balancing act at times, and working to reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus can be even more challenging.  Yet, isn't that a challenge worth taking up?  The kingdom of heaven will not be populated only by senior adults, or only by young people.  It will be made up of all people who express their faith in what Jesus accomplished for them.  A common message, even as it is one that is expressed and conveyed in a variety of ways to a variety of people.

"Let the children come!"

Up front, I'm going to admit something.  I am a big fan of children learning by watching and participating.  For example, my little girl and I were recently at the playground together, and she wanted to slide down the slide on her belly.  So, after giving her the typical precautions and while waiting at the bottom of the slide to catch her, she slid down on her belly.  Then, when she arrived at the bottom, she wanted to climb back up the slide.  While you could argue with me about the proper way to make use of a slide, I let her do it, keeping my hand at her back in case she fell back, but also pointing out how she could put her hands and her feet in ways that would help her learn how to climb up the slide better.  After just a couple of minor slips, she was back up at the top.  Then, we started the process all over again, and each time, she showed a greater ability to do it without the extra assistance and tips.

Children learn by watching, by doing, and by being gently instructed along the way.  I believe this goes for so many faith matters, as well.  Children learn how to worship and what is proper in worship by being in worship, but also by being instructed why we do what we do, and how we do what we do.  Yes, there are times when they get frustrated and squirmy, and maybe didn't sleep enough or are hungry, but what is gained by their presence far outweighs any "advantages" to not having them in worship.

One day, many of His followers were trying to bring children to Jesus.  The disciples attempted to persuade the parents that this wasn't good, right, and proper, to which Jesus replied, "Let the children come to me!"  God has a heart for children, since we all are children in His eyes.  And from the very beginning, children have always been included in the promise that God gives.  Circumcision was the sign of God's promise.  Baptism now extends God's promise to each child that is baptized.  God eagerly desires for children to be an active presence in His Church.

As we at Oak Road look to deepen and expand our ministry to children, we do so with the full understanding that this is something God repeatedly reminds us is a good thing.  We hope and pray that a love for children will grow and grow among us as His people, especially as these ministry areas develop more fully.

Children, Instruction, and Discipline

In Ephesians 6, we find a brief section in which Paul addresses the relationships between chilren and parents.  Paul directs children to obey their parents, especially when it comes to the ways of God.  And then, as Paul often does, he shows that there is a mutual submission in the relationship of parents and children, as parents are not to provoke their children unnecessarily, but to bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

If you didn't know this before, I love kids.  I love playing with kids, working with kids, teaching kids, and just spending time with kids.  I dearly love the time I get to spend with my 2 yr old daughter, and look forward to the time I will get to spend on the upcoming blesssing of a son that will be introduced into our family later this year.  I've spent a significant time of my life working as a preschool teacher, and dearly loved the time of working with those children.  Children are a very dear gift from God.

Children have much to learn about this world, and to learn about our God.  While we are thankful that God extends His promise to children through the washing waters of baptism, we also realize that the faith God plants in their hearts at that time needs nurturing.  It needs instruction.  It needs discipline.  Otherwise, that faith may wither and die away, which would mean eternal separation from God.

Throughout the centuries, the Christian Church has emphasized instruction for children and young people.  They need to be taught about our God, the basics such as who He is, what He tells us, and the like.  That's the instruction part.  But, along with that, there is also the part in teaching them how that applies to the living of their lives.  When they encounter life, how does their faith inform what they do, and why they make the decisions that they do?  That's where the discipline part comes in.

Faith instruction is essential, and just as essential is faith discipline.  A youth who knows that Jesus died and forgave him is a wonderful thing, but loses its luster if that youth is stealing, or vandalizing, or any other particular sins that he may willfully engage in.  As we consider what ministry to children looks like, we remember that it's not only about teaching Bible facts, but training for living as God's children in Christ Jesus as well.