The Six Trends In Children's Ministry: What I Said
Yesterday I received my digital version of Children's Ministry Magazine and looked eargerly at the article on trends because they had solicited my opinions on some of the trends they outlined. I was interested to see what they used of my opinions and to my dismay (as far as I could tell in my quick appraisal of the article) they had used none of what I said. So I thought some one might find my opinions helpful - so here in its entirety are the comments I forwarded on to the magazine.
Trend #4: Conformity before Conviction
This generation’s affinity for authentic community offers churches a great opportunity for the spiritual formation of their children. Studies have shown that for children the context of formation is often more important than the content of formation in the development of conscience and values. This finding can surely be extrapolated to faith formation as well. If our churches can become authoritative faith communities offering children real and valuable relationships with adults who model Christian faith for them and communities which offer children opportunities to be full, functioning members not just receivers of the community’s generosity, then they will be providing this generation and coming generations with a context for faith development well suited to the their needs, world view, and proclivities. And, churches need to be faith communities where children are allowed to belong before they believe. True belongingness within a group who understands its identity and celebrates its shared values and story is instrumental in bringing about transformation. Those of us responsible for the spiritual formation of children need to help our churches understand this and take steps to become truly authentic and transformational communities.
Trend #5: Malaise vs. Making A Difference
Children’s Ministries should be about forming people who love God and follow Jesus. One way to keep this and coming generations outwardly focused is to provide a missional context in the church and, more specifically, in those programs and opportunities directed toward children. Faith communities desiring to form children who participate in God’s kingdom work will be faith communities who care more about works of peace and justice, who care more about “doing what people who follow Jesus do,” than about attracting large numbers through glitzy programs and providing a “holy huddle” for those who are on the inside. When children see an ethos of mission modeled for them by parents, church leaders, and other significant adults they can be transformed to live in the way of Jesus as they begin to understand their responsibilities to the world and other people God created in the holy image.
Hope you find these thoughts helpful as you think about trends in today's application of ministry to children.
Trend #4: Conformity before Conviction
This generation’s affinity for authentic community offers churches a great opportunity for the spiritual formation of their children. Studies have shown that for children the context of formation is often more important than the content of formation in the development of conscience and values. This finding can surely be extrapolated to faith formation as well. If our churches can become authoritative faith communities offering children real and valuable relationships with adults who model Christian faith for them and communities which offer children opportunities to be full, functioning members not just receivers of the community’s generosity, then they will be providing this generation and coming generations with a context for faith development well suited to the their needs, world view, and proclivities. And, churches need to be faith communities where children are allowed to belong before they believe. True belongingness within a group who understands its identity and celebrates its shared values and story is instrumental in bringing about transformation. Those of us responsible for the spiritual formation of children need to help our churches understand this and take steps to become truly authentic and transformational communities.
Trend #5: Malaise vs. Making A Difference
Children’s Ministries should be about forming people who love God and follow Jesus. One way to keep this and coming generations outwardly focused is to provide a missional context in the church and, more specifically, in those programs and opportunities directed toward children. Faith communities desiring to form children who participate in God’s kingdom work will be faith communities who care more about works of peace and justice, who care more about “doing what people who follow Jesus do,” than about attracting large numbers through glitzy programs and providing a “holy huddle” for those who are on the inside. When children see an ethos of mission modeled for them by parents, church leaders, and other significant adults they can be transformed to live in the way of Jesus as they begin to understand their responsibilities to the world and other people God created in the holy image.
Hope you find these thoughts helpful as you think about trends in today's application of ministry to children.
posted by Ivy on Friday, August 19, 2005
3 Comments:
I love what you have to say concerning trend #5. So often churches (and children's pastors) get caught up on how many kids went to camp or came to VBS. Counting the number of kids who were there is important, but watching them develop spiritually is soooooo much more important. When I reported back to my congregation on our camp experience. I didn't mention the fun things we did or even the number of kids who went. Instead I shared a story of the faith journey of one of boys who went. I shared his spiritual understanding and depth. This was much more effective to relay the spiritual development of our children than just...how many kids were there.
Keep up the good work about tilling the soil toward change in Children's Ministries.
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