Advice

God uses children

Continuing our series of excerpts from Dave Roberts' book God's Plan for Children (Children's Ministry/Kingsway)

Children are certainly not mere spectators in the drama of salvation history. We will examine their role in more depth in another chapter, but let's consider the following at this point:

Daniel and his friends - defied their persecutors, even to the point of death.
Samuel - heard from God, prophesied to the chief priest.
Josiah - raised to reverence God, acted swiftly against pagan idolatry.
Naaman's maid - gave the advice that led to his healing.
David - challenged Goliath, the man the nation feared.
Jeremiah - told not to use his youth as an excuse.
Joseph - his ability to interpret dreams caused him great pain, but was to lead to greatness.
Jesus - debated with the High Priest at the age of 12.
Mary a teenage girl who gave birth to the Messiah.

The biblical record and a wide range of commentaries suggest that all of the above were either children or teenagers.

Are we ready to give children and teenagers tasks within the life of the church? Are we willing to admit to the possibility that they might have insights and perceptions prompted by the Holy Spirit that are every bit as valid as the pastor, the vicar, the deacon, the elder or the PCC member?

Jesus certainly thought so.

Jesus and children

Jesus' attitude to children is deeply instructive. He drew them in from the fringes, but also made it clear that despite the high regard of his culture and the Scriptures for the family, following him took precedence.

In Mark 10:13-15 we read of Jesus calling the children to him. He was indignant at the disciples' attempt to exclude them. The disciples reflected the culture of the day, which didn't encourage women or children to participate in the more formal teaching and discussion that surrounded rabbinic figures like Jesus.

Jesus makes his point strongly by insisting that "The Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". His audience would have expected a kingdom and a Messiah that would free them from the burden of the Romans. Jesus places children at the centre of his kingdom.

Jesus also held children up as an example to adults: "Unless you become as a child" (Mark 10:15) reminds his listeners that the uncynical trust of a child is an example to them, but also clearly infers the child's ability to have a personal relationship with God.

Jesus goes on to warn adults that they are not to lead children into sin or they will face a severe judgement. In a poignant and powerful statement he reminds the adults to have the humility of a child and to be aware that when they welcome a child they welcome Jesus (Matthew 18:1-5).

Ponder verse 5 for a moment before you read on.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

That's why we work in this sphere. We give Christ's love away to others and worship him through our work with children.

The response of the Church

The picture we have just seen of God's heart for children is wide-ranging. What can the local church do in concrete terms to respond to the heart cry of a generation that does not know Jesus? Here is a reminder of the seven foundations of our approach. Is my church willing to:

Make children a priority?
Equip Christian parents with a range of parenting skills?
Dedicate resources to activities that build a bridge out to unchurched children?
Grasp opportunities to participate in the education of children?
Provoke other churches to similar action?
Promote culture that uplifts our children?
Teach our children about compassion, care and justice for children everywhere?

This book explores these seven themes. Let's focus for a moment on 'making children a priority'. This has two expressions. Are children a priority in our overall mission strategy to our neighbourhood? And, are we willing to make the budget commitments that will enable us to implement our strategies and plans?

Part of the reality of our commitment to our children and the children of our communities is reflected in our budget.

A Children's Ministry survey conducted in 1999 suggested that up to 60% of churches were spending less than £500 on children's work each year. There is significant anecdotal evidence to suggest that the average church is spending about £10 per child per annum. With the average church having around 100 attenders and a third of those being children, the figure of £300 per church seems likely and would bear out the survey findings.

If the Church is to make an impact on a new generation of children there will need to be a radical new approach to financing our work with children.

I believe it would be a realistic goal for the Church in the UK to see its number of dedicated children's workers rise from an estimated 500 to 2,000 in the next 10 years. Sunday activities, midweek clubs and schools outreach tasks are sufficient to fill out the workload of a local church worker, even before we begin to explore meeting the social needs of children in our locality and being an advocate for them in the wider political and social arenas.

I believe that if we produce coherent strategies for local children's work that the leadership teams of our churches and the people themselves understand they will give generously.
It will be a sign of the health of the UK Church if expenditure in this area becomes a significant and remarked upon item in the coming years.

Money, however, is not the only priority. We will need to work hard to help our churches to see themselves as spiritual nurture centres for children. How might that be demonstrated?

Next update we'll look at making children a priority in your church ...

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		God uses children Continuing our series of excerpts from Dave Roberts' book God's Plan for Children (Children's Ministry/Kingsway) Children are certainly not mere spectators in the drama of salvation history. We will examine their role in more depth in another chapter, but let's consider the following at this point: Daniel and his friends - defied their persecutors, even to the point of death. Samuel - heard from God, prophesied to the chief priest. Josiah - raised to reverence God, acted swiftly against pagan idolatry. Naaman's maid - gave the advice that led to his healing. David - challenged Goliath, the man the nation feared. Jeremiah - told not to use his youth as an excuse. Joseph - his ability to interpret dreams caused him great pain, but was to lead to greatness. Jesus - debated with the High Priest at the age of 12. Mary a teenage girl who gave birth to the Messiah. The biblical record and a wide range of commentaries suggest that all of the above were either children or teenagers. Are we ready to give children and teenagers tasks within the life of the church? Are we willing to admit to the possibility that they might have insights and perceptions prompted by the Holy Spirit that are every bit as valid as the pastor, the vicar, the deacon, the elder or the PCC member? Jesus certainly thought so. Jesus and children Jesus' attitude to children is deeply instructive. He drew them in from the fringes, but also made it clear that despite the high regard of his culture and the Scriptures for the family, following him took precedence. In Mark 10:13-15 we read of Jesus calling the children to him. He was indignant at the disciples' attempt to exclude them. The disciples reflected the culture of the day, which didn't encourage women or children to participate in the more formal teaching and discussion that surrounded rabbinic figures like Jesus. Jesus makes his point strongly by insisting that "The Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". His audience would have expected a kingdom and a Messiah that would free them from the burden of the Romans. Jesus places children at the centre of his kingdom. Jesus also held children up as an example to adults: "Unless you become as a child" (Mark 10:15) reminds his listeners that the uncynical trust of a child is an example to them, but also clearly infers the child's ability to have a personal relationship with God. Jesus goes on to warn adults that they are not to lead children into sin or they will face a severe judgement. In a poignant and powerful statement he reminds the adults to have the humility of a child and to be aware that when they welcome a child they welcome Jesus (Matthew 18:1-5). Ponder verse 5 for a moment before you read on. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." That's why we work in this sphere. We give Christ's love away to others and worship him through our work with children. The response of the Church The picture we have just seen of God's heart for children is wide-ranging. What can the local church do in concrete terms to respond to the heart cry of a generation that does not know Jesus? Here is a reminder of the seven foundations of our approach. Is my church willing to: Make children a priority? Equip Christian parents with a range of parenting skills? Dedicate resources to activities that build a bridge out to unchurched children? Grasp opportunities to participate in the education of children? Provoke other churches to similar action? Promote culture that uplifts our children? Teach our children about compassion, care and justice for children everywhere? This book explores these seven themes. Let's focus for a moment on 'making children a priority'. This has two expressions. Are children a priority in our overall mission strategy to our neighbourhood? And, are we willing to make the budget commitments that will enable us to implement our strategies and plans? Part of the reality of our commitment to our children and the children of our communities is reflected in our budget. A Children's Ministry survey conducted in 1999 suggested that up to 60% of churches were spending less than £500 on children's work each year. There is significant anecdotal evidence to suggest that the average church is spending about £10 per child per annum. With the average church having around 100 attenders and a third of those being children, the figure of £300 per church seems likely and would bear out the survey findings. If the Church is to make an impact on a new generation of children there will need to be a radical new approach to financing our work with children. I believe it would be a realistic goal for the Church in the UK to see its number of dedicated children's workers rise from an estimated 500 to 2,000 in the next 10 years. Sunday activities, midweek clubs and schools outreach tasks are sufficient to fill out the workload of a local church worker, even before we begin to explore meeting the social needs of children in our locality and being an advocate for them in the wider political and social arenas. I believe that if we produce coherent strategies for local children's work that the leadership teams of our churches and the people themselves understand they will give generously. It will be a sign of the health of the UK Church if expenditure in this area becomes a significant and remarked upon item in the coming years. Money, however, is not the only priority. We will need to work hard to help our churches to see themselves as spiritual nurture centres for children. How might that be demonstrated? Next update we'll look at making children a priority in your church ... © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.