Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Driving Sixteen Penny Nails
One of my early employments in life involved a stint as a carpenter’s apprentice. We built apartment buildings in the metro Atlanta area. I was told to bring a nail apron, a hammer,
and to be wearing steel toed shoes. Arriving at the job site, I was introduced to the lead carpenter and my co-workers. We were known as a “framing crew.” Once the foundations were poured and ready, we came in to put up the structural framework. It was good work for a young man in need of some good hard labor and a paycheck at the end of the week.
The skill set for a carpenter’s apprentice was to be constantly learning by doing. I would be given a series of studs to nail into foot boards and top boards, all carefully marked to speed up our wall building, then we would work together to raise the wall, add temporary supports after making sure it was upright and level and then head on to the next. Nailing at first was tedious, I could hit a nail half a dozen times or more before sinking it. Co-workers taught by example, and I quickly learned to let the weight of the hammer being swung do the work and to sink it in three and sometimes just two swings (depending on the hardness of the pine boards.)
Today that same work is done many times faster by a tool known as a nail gun. Nails bundled close together and dispensed by a simple contact with the wood are driven by a variety of forms of energy…compressed air, explosive charges, and electrically driven hammer all allow for a faster process. Many fewer nail drivers are needed. Technology has modified many of the working methods of the past.
The interesting thing about the way tools have changed in construction, farming, and business of all sorts also applies to the ministry of the church. The tools we use at any period of time may or may not be the most efficient, most effective, or the most useful for the time and place. What we understand is the fact that in every arena of influence, we will of necessity make choices about changing with the times or not.
Personally, I enjoy using a paper calendar to keep up with my appointments and meetings. For my younger colleagues in ministry, paper is almost secondary. They prefer to load that information into their laptops or handheld devices instead. Both work.
Carpenters can still use hammers and sixteen penny nails to build houses instead of nail guns and electronic levels. The old works, but the new is faster and sometimes more accurate and cost effective.
At church, the tools of communication and public ministry contact are equally diverse.
As a teenager, we prepared a youth newsletter each month and shared it with the congregation. It took several hours of writing, typing, making a stencil, running the mimeograph machine, and using the church office on Saturdays to make it happen. Our church’s present generation of youth certainly have the capabilities to a similar thing, but the motivation for it is diminished in light of the intensive amount of time they already spend in exchanges of information via phones, computers, and websites, something their parents often use on only a limited basis.
Some young people feel the church is irrelevant, not because the work and witness of the church is not important and needed in their lives, but it is often as if no one from church is talking to them very much. The radio and iPods are booming with messages; the TV presents alternative lifestyles to Christian faith in multiple forms; the models of sexuality apart from marriage are as diverse as the number of networks presenting them.
We are not facing a shift or adjustment in the way we share the gospel, we are experiencing a tsunami effect of changes in the ways we communicate in our generation. The church must not always be behind the culture, when the culture needs the church to be leading it. It is time for the church to be not just the fad of the hour, but the movement of the day. It is time for the church to bear witness to the power of God in its people and to use the gifts of its people in purposeful service in Jesus’ name.
The hammer works to drive a nail. The spoken word still drives the message, but the voice may be shared in this generation to millions in moments, to nations in a matter of minutes, to a world in need of the gospel as often as we are willing to strategize and emphasize and see God energizing the sharing of Christ. It comes when our lives are dedicated to the mission Christ gave us. The success belongs to God. The work is ours. The time is now.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Delayed Maturity
Sociologists are observing an interesting phenomenon in the present generation of young adults. In large numbers, young adults seem to be postponing personal independence and the exercise of what generally would be termed “adult” responsibility. Statistically, evidence points to extended educational processes (college and graduate school), delayed marriage (after school), and economic factors (inability to find stable employment), and even returning to live with parents (after college and/or initial employment).
Older generations may ask, “What gives?” Have we created a generation that is unable to accept responsible adult decision-making or are other factors in play? Some have suggested biological factors may be involved, associated with delayed brain development. Recent studies show that some adults may not have fully “connected” brains until mid to late 20’s or even early 30’s. Part of the problem may be in the way we use our brains or the way we don’t, for those periods.
Electronic visual stimuli in large quantities are components of most adults’ experiences beginning with television in the 1950’s. Since that time, the rate of exposure to media and information conveyed audibly and visually has grown exponentially. Clearly, we are altering the patterns by which our brains operate for the encoding of memory and in the kinds of recall and thinking developed.
Educators point to underdeveloped writing skills and limited critical thinking on the part of many older adolescents and college aged students.. If indeed, brain functions are detained from making critical links at once “normal stages” there would seem to be suggested that some patterns are missing in the current methodologies for both educating and implementing responsible decision-making.
Additional experience factors, or rather, the lack thereof, could be linked to social development delays. Some suggest that younger adults have been handicapped by the unwillingness of older generations to allow for their participation in any number of areas. The sheer age and experience factors involved in new technology are the one area where younger faces seem to have the advantage. At the same time, measures of responsibility in arenas such as community leadership and family life, religious practice and social settings, seems to be postponed or faltering.
A local bartender describes his Friday night crowd, largely young adults, as his babysitting night. He refers to poor decision-making about alcohol use and poor indicators of restraint or control regarding personal safety, health, or the welfare of others. A missing sense of compassion and a “failure to have personal boundaries” are frequent observations. Underdeveloped brains may be the cause of higher risk taking behaviors, not to be ignored by military recruiters of this age pool.
How we respond to these real circumstances among many young adults today will require churches to engage them in more intelligent ways. We must not ignore the technical side of communication as a key approach for reaching this generation. We must also be patient about making quick judgements regarding “not being responsible.” If social and biological factors are delaying the maturation of present young adults, they will simply need more time. And with that time, the church should be eager to utilize every option to enable young adults to exercise their social development in a safe and rewarding community. Mistakes will be a part of growing and learning and should be accepted as a reality for every generation’s maturing process, but the church needs young adults and their enthusiasm and vigor and growing and developing skills.
The church likewise may well supply the missing links. When family is fractured, the church provides a larger family of caring persons. When work is difficult or hard to find, the church can provide avenues for useful engagement with those who may become resources and mentors for learning, growth, and maturity. When social skills are weak, the church can provide a safe place to develop those sharing skills and public capacities. When educational gaps exist, the church can become an avenue for addressing those needs. Whenever possible the church should be crossing the generational divides to engage and provide healthy concepts of personal and community responsibility and capacity for service.
The “young” generation is always separated from its predecessors in some way. At the same time, each generation does “come into its own” in time. Do what you can to prepare those who follow you.
Older generations may ask, “What gives?” Have we created a generation that is unable to accept responsible adult decision-making or are other factors in play? Some have suggested biological factors may be involved, associated with delayed brain development. Recent studies show that some adults may not have fully “connected” brains until mid to late 20’s or even early 30’s. Part of the problem may be in the way we use our brains or the way we don’t, for those periods.
Electronic visual stimuli in large quantities are components of most adults’ experiences beginning with television in the 1950’s. Since that time, the rate of exposure to media and information conveyed audibly and visually has grown exponentially. Clearly, we are altering the patterns by which our brains operate for the encoding of memory and in the kinds of recall and thinking developed.
Educators point to underdeveloped writing skills and limited critical thinking on the part of many older adolescents and college aged students.. If indeed, brain functions are detained from making critical links at once “normal stages” there would seem to be suggested that some patterns are missing in the current methodologies for both educating and implementing responsible decision-making.
Additional experience factors, or rather, the lack thereof, could be linked to social development delays. Some suggest that younger adults have been handicapped by the unwillingness of older generations to allow for their participation in any number of areas. The sheer age and experience factors involved in new technology are the one area where younger faces seem to have the advantage. At the same time, measures of responsibility in arenas such as community leadership and family life, religious practice and social settings, seems to be postponed or faltering.
A local bartender describes his Friday night crowd, largely young adults, as his babysitting night. He refers to poor decision-making about alcohol use and poor indicators of restraint or control regarding personal safety, health, or the welfare of others. A missing sense of compassion and a “failure to have personal boundaries” are frequent observations. Underdeveloped brains may be the cause of higher risk taking behaviors, not to be ignored by military recruiters of this age pool.
How we respond to these real circumstances among many young adults today will require churches to engage them in more intelligent ways. We must not ignore the technical side of communication as a key approach for reaching this generation. We must also be patient about making quick judgements regarding “not being responsible.” If social and biological factors are delaying the maturation of present young adults, they will simply need more time. And with that time, the church should be eager to utilize every option to enable young adults to exercise their social development in a safe and rewarding community. Mistakes will be a part of growing and learning and should be accepted as a reality for every generation’s maturing process, but the church needs young adults and their enthusiasm and vigor and growing and developing skills.
The church likewise may well supply the missing links. When family is fractured, the church provides a larger family of caring persons. When work is difficult or hard to find, the church can provide avenues for useful engagement with those who may become resources and mentors for learning, growth, and maturity. When social skills are weak, the church can provide a safe place to develop those sharing skills and public capacities. When educational gaps exist, the church can become an avenue for addressing those needs. Whenever possible the church should be crossing the generational divides to engage and provide healthy concepts of personal and community responsibility and capacity for service.
The “young” generation is always separated from its predecessors in some way. At the same time, each generation does “come into its own” in time. Do what you can to prepare those who follow you.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Faith Traditions or Living Faith?
Many people across the globe maintain a particular religious “position” as a birthright. They assume they are “something” because they were born into a community of certain “faith” adherents. Such identifiers lack an association of faith in a dynamic or intrinsic experience of present awareness and understanding of divine influence. Faith lives. Traditions are remembrances of others experiences or worse, remembrances of others practices without a comprehension of meaning or purpose. Those who adopt traditions without personal faith and experience do so largely to the neglect of their own spiritual awareness and authentic faith relationships.
Persons without living faith sometimes adopt eclecticism as a pattern for accepting any and all influences as just that, influences; again without a personal, living faith relationship. Traditions can drive behaviors across generations of religious adherents, but it does not drive faith. It may allow for names and places and personages to be claimed, but it does not allow for the transforming awareness of divine action and presence in one’s own life.
The testimony of Judeo-Christian scriptures bears the marks and witness of many who experience a living faith experience. It also bears the testimony of those who received traditions without such faith experiences. One lives, the other falters. Why?
Living faith is required to comprehend a living God. Those who bury their Savior and ignore His resurrection to life in their own practice of faith ignore the basis of experiences that are transformative and eternal. Jesus saves. He brings the spiritually dead to life. He brings life even to the physically dying. Because in Him there is life abundant. Faith lives!
Persons without living faith sometimes adopt eclecticism as a pattern for accepting any and all influences as just that, influences; again without a personal, living faith relationship. Traditions can drive behaviors across generations of religious adherents, but it does not drive faith. It may allow for names and places and personages to be claimed, but it does not allow for the transforming awareness of divine action and presence in one’s own life.
The testimony of Judeo-Christian scriptures bears the marks and witness of many who experience a living faith experience. It also bears the testimony of those who received traditions without such faith experiences. One lives, the other falters. Why?
Living faith is required to comprehend a living God. Those who bury their Savior and ignore His resurrection to life in their own practice of faith ignore the basis of experiences that are transformative and eternal. Jesus saves. He brings the spiritually dead to life. He brings life even to the physically dying. Because in Him there is life abundant. Faith lives!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What's the Big Deal About Baptism?
In 1813, Congregationalist missionaries Ann and Adoniram Judson on their ocean voyage toward their overseas mission assignment in India were together studying the Greek New Testament when they determined that in light of scripture, believer’s baptism by immersion was an appropriate practice. They acted upon their convictions in light of the scriptures and were baptized, leading them to resign their posts with the Congregational denomination and in the context of their decision, seeking to work with the hope of support from the Baptists. The Judson’s went to Burma and their friend, Luther Rice, who had also come to the same conclusion about baptism, returned to America to seek aid for the fledgling American Baptist Missions in the Far East.
Such early Baptist mission pioneers illustrate the “baptism issue” for many.
To be a Baptist was not so much a matter of necessity but rather a decision born out of an understanding of biblical practice. Baptists point to “believer’s baptism” as the act of obedience corresponding to public Christian commitment. Many who have pointed to other baptism practices, whether in variations of amount of water or in the pattern of infant baptism followed by confirmation at an age of accountability, question the necessity or wisdom of “rebaptizing” or baptism by immersion---if, in fact, their commitment to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is valid and ongoing. The practice of our
church has been for some time to receive members from other Christian denominations by the public testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ and prior baptism, in whatever form, and offering them baptism by immersion if requested. At the same time, we extend to all those who are for the first time publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ, the opportunity of baptism by immersion. Such has been the distinguishing practice of Baptists resulting from their understanding of the biblical model indicated in scripture.
Over the years, there have been those who suggested that one could not be saved apart from baptism. I remind them of Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (See Luke 23:39-43) There was no opportunity for baptism, but there was opportunity for God’s saving grace.
What baptism provides is a public witness of personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is a step beyond the ritual purification practices of the Jewish community and a link to what Jesus described as an action “fulfilling all righteousness.” In Christ, baptism is a picture of one buried and resurrected. It illustrates a life buried like Jesus was buried, but a life risen with Christ, resurrected to new life in Him. The images of immersion provide a reminder to us all of our new life in response to our Savior’s love.
Whether or not you have been immersed, let it be a matter of conscience. Celebrate with joy the knowledge of God’s grace and forgiveness and receive Him as your Lord and Savior…that’s what we are all called to trust and bear witness to daily.
If you would like to know more, or have questions regarding your relationship to Jesus Christ and church membership, feel free to contact me through the church office or email at wfbcpastor@embarqmail.com.
(This article was previously published in The Contact, Sept. 21, 2010)
Such early Baptist mission pioneers illustrate the “baptism issue” for many.
To be a Baptist was not so much a matter of necessity but rather a decision born out of an understanding of biblical practice. Baptists point to “believer’s baptism” as the act of obedience corresponding to public Christian commitment. Many who have pointed to other baptism practices, whether in variations of amount of water or in the pattern of infant baptism followed by confirmation at an age of accountability, question the necessity or wisdom of “rebaptizing” or baptism by immersion---if, in fact, their commitment to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is valid and ongoing. The practice of our
church has been for some time to receive members from other Christian denominations by the public testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ and prior baptism, in whatever form, and offering them baptism by immersion if requested. At the same time, we extend to all those who are for the first time publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ, the opportunity of baptism by immersion. Such has been the distinguishing practice of Baptists resulting from their understanding of the biblical model indicated in scripture.
Over the years, there have been those who suggested that one could not be saved apart from baptism. I remind them of Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (See Luke 23:39-43) There was no opportunity for baptism, but there was opportunity for God’s saving grace.
What baptism provides is a public witness of personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is a step beyond the ritual purification practices of the Jewish community and a link to what Jesus described as an action “fulfilling all righteousness.” In Christ, baptism is a picture of one buried and resurrected. It illustrates a life buried like Jesus was buried, but a life risen with Christ, resurrected to new life in Him. The images of immersion provide a reminder to us all of our new life in response to our Savior’s love.
Whether or not you have been immersed, let it be a matter of conscience. Celebrate with joy the knowledge of God’s grace and forgiveness and receive Him as your Lord and Savior…that’s what we are all called to trust and bear witness to daily.
If you would like to know more, or have questions regarding your relationship to Jesus Christ and church membership, feel free to contact me through the church office or email at wfbcpastor@embarqmail.com.
(This article was previously published in The Contact, Sept. 21, 2010)
An Open Letter to Coaches
AN OPEN LETTER TO SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES AND THOSE WHO TRAIN THEM
Dear Coach,
As a long time football fan and a volunteer chaplain to an outstanding high school team for many years, I understand the sweat, blood and tears associated with winning football teams – please put the emphasis on sweat.
Weight training, aerobics training and establishing the teamwork associated with learning plays and how to execute those plays against the other team is critical to success. Good coaching requires long hours, getting to know players, and building team spirit. Football requires much of young players. Playing without proper conditioning opens the doors to serious injuries once the season begins. Learning how to hit and take a hit are serious matters. Achieving success also requires brain work. Adrenaline driven by fear or anger can certainly enable a person to run faster, hit harder, and perhaps stop a speeding train (or not)—but only for a while. To do it again and again and again requires determination, purpose, conditioning and will.
One of the tragedies of football participation in some places is the sacrifice of spiritual growth and development that is sometimes the outcome of demands placed upon highly impressionable and vulnerable young players. Let me be specific…almost every year some coach insists that unless a player drops out of their planned church involvement in an often long-planned mission trip, Christian retreat, or ministry project, they will not be allowed to participate on the team.
I realize, coach, that my feelings are wound up partially in the fact that I know most, if not almost all of the members of your team will NOT become NFL players, though I personally have known a few who did. Despite the dreams of all the couch potato quarterbacking parents on your case to make such things happen -- I simply encourage you not to give football the place of God in your life. If I sound like I am coming down on you hard coach, maybe its because I remember just how often coaches have come down hard on players for all kinds of things that were not nearly as important as their relationship with God. Jesus even made a somewhat bold suggestion that it was better to tie a millstone around your neck and drown yourself in the sea than it was to get in the way of the spiritual development of one of those who were not yet fully mature in their faith.
What I am so concerned about is the fact that preseason training demands on players before the school year begins, while a coaching concern before each season, pale in comparison to the impact that might be in play should a player discover a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives in another setting. Heaven forbid the coach should tell them they were not supposed to attend their church camp or mission trip because football was more important. It isn’t now, nor will it ever be. Equally sad is when a young Christian is asked to choose between a sport he loves to share in and a mission or ministry opportunity that would both enrich his life and challenge him to grow in expotentially more important ways than a week of summer football practices. I know, I’ve been to both many times. Now coach, you need to hear this. You have the power to do something about this. You may say,”I make the rules, and parents decide”-- but parents are fearful that if you are in any way slighted, you will come down on their youngsters in painfully hurtful ways. So they sacrifice their children to the god of your aims for football success and feel blackmailed into doing it.
The irony is, if parents had paid for some big trip to Europe or a family cruise, or had a death in the family, most parents would press you to make an exception and you would.
What is important is the nature of authority being established. Not your authority coach, but God’s. That’s important for your life and the lives of every player you will ever have responsibility to coach. Putting God first is something that good coaches remember and exercise. Getting team members to do what you say, just because you say it, is a long way from getting team members to share and give and act sacrificially when necessary to do their best in honoring God and in learning how to help the others around them every day. That can help them to become the kind of champions that truly matter.
Coach, I want your coaching year to be a great one. I will pray for your team’s success. I hope you enjoy winning; but in the big picture, every week one team wins, one team loses and all go home afterward to deal with their lives, their homes, their parents, their classmates, their homework, their dreams, their futures. I hope football helps -- without getting in the way of their learning about God’s help and gifts for their lives. I hope, coach, you know about those things too. I hope to see you in church Sunday. The game films really can wait; and if you don’t believe me, I’ll introduce you to some of my friends who can explain.
Thanks for listening.
Pastor Ron
P.S. The general point of this letter is also directed to baseball coaches, basketball coaches, volleyball coaches, lacrosse coaches, track coaches, wrestling coaches, tennis coaches, soccer coaches, softball coaches and others who hold a great trust in guiding youth. Blessings in Christ to all.
Dear Coach,
As a long time football fan and a volunteer chaplain to an outstanding high school team for many years, I understand the sweat, blood and tears associated with winning football teams – please put the emphasis on sweat.
Weight training, aerobics training and establishing the teamwork associated with learning plays and how to execute those plays against the other team is critical to success. Good coaching requires long hours, getting to know players, and building team spirit. Football requires much of young players. Playing without proper conditioning opens the doors to serious injuries once the season begins. Learning how to hit and take a hit are serious matters. Achieving success also requires brain work. Adrenaline driven by fear or anger can certainly enable a person to run faster, hit harder, and perhaps stop a speeding train (or not)—but only for a while. To do it again and again and again requires determination, purpose, conditioning and will.
One of the tragedies of football participation in some places is the sacrifice of spiritual growth and development that is sometimes the outcome of demands placed upon highly impressionable and vulnerable young players. Let me be specific…almost every year some coach insists that unless a player drops out of their planned church involvement in an often long-planned mission trip, Christian retreat, or ministry project, they will not be allowed to participate on the team.
I realize, coach, that my feelings are wound up partially in the fact that I know most, if not almost all of the members of your team will NOT become NFL players, though I personally have known a few who did. Despite the dreams of all the couch potato quarterbacking parents on your case to make such things happen -- I simply encourage you not to give football the place of God in your life. If I sound like I am coming down on you hard coach, maybe its because I remember just how often coaches have come down hard on players for all kinds of things that were not nearly as important as their relationship with God. Jesus even made a somewhat bold suggestion that it was better to tie a millstone around your neck and drown yourself in the sea than it was to get in the way of the spiritual development of one of those who were not yet fully mature in their faith.
What I am so concerned about is the fact that preseason training demands on players before the school year begins, while a coaching concern before each season, pale in comparison to the impact that might be in play should a player discover a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives in another setting. Heaven forbid the coach should tell them they were not supposed to attend their church camp or mission trip because football was more important. It isn’t now, nor will it ever be. Equally sad is when a young Christian is asked to choose between a sport he loves to share in and a mission or ministry opportunity that would both enrich his life and challenge him to grow in expotentially more important ways than a week of summer football practices. I know, I’ve been to both many times. Now coach, you need to hear this. You have the power to do something about this. You may say,”I make the rules, and parents decide”-- but parents are fearful that if you are in any way slighted, you will come down on their youngsters in painfully hurtful ways. So they sacrifice their children to the god of your aims for football success and feel blackmailed into doing it.
The irony is, if parents had paid for some big trip to Europe or a family cruise, or had a death in the family, most parents would press you to make an exception and you would.
What is important is the nature of authority being established. Not your authority coach, but God’s. That’s important for your life and the lives of every player you will ever have responsibility to coach. Putting God first is something that good coaches remember and exercise. Getting team members to do what you say, just because you say it, is a long way from getting team members to share and give and act sacrificially when necessary to do their best in honoring God and in learning how to help the others around them every day. That can help them to become the kind of champions that truly matter.
Coach, I want your coaching year to be a great one. I will pray for your team’s success. I hope you enjoy winning; but in the big picture, every week one team wins, one team loses and all go home afterward to deal with their lives, their homes, their parents, their classmates, their homework, their dreams, their futures. I hope football helps -- without getting in the way of their learning about God’s help and gifts for their lives. I hope, coach, you know about those things too. I hope to see you in church Sunday. The game films really can wait; and if you don’t believe me, I’ll introduce you to some of my friends who can explain.
Thanks for listening.
Pastor Ron
P.S. The general point of this letter is also directed to baseball coaches, basketball coaches, volleyball coaches, lacrosse coaches, track coaches, wrestling coaches, tennis coaches, soccer coaches, softball coaches and others who hold a great trust in guiding youth. Blessings in Christ to all.
Dear Blog Friends
Dear Blog Friends,
Apologies for those who missed reading this blog over the last several months. I have been investing heavily in writing for church ministries in the upcoming year. One of the things I want to assure you of is that we would like to get some read of those who are utilizing this avenue for reading. If you find this blog interesting, helpful, or just something you read from time to time, give us a comment to that effect. Thanks.
Happy blogging.
Ron Hinson
Apologies for those who missed reading this blog over the last several months. I have been investing heavily in writing for church ministries in the upcoming year. One of the things I want to assure you of is that we would like to get some read of those who are utilizing this avenue for reading. If you find this blog interesting, helpful, or just something you read from time to time, give us a comment to that effect. Thanks.
Happy blogging.
Ron Hinson
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ten Ways to Improve Your Children's Future
1. Pray with them daily. The emphasis is on with. Let them know you pray. Let them see you leading them in prayer. Let them know you pray for them. Let them know that
praying allows them to share their concerns with God and that He leads and guides us.
2. Prioritize spiritual growth and development. Commit by intentional choice to the discipline of weekly bible study and worship. Children need parental leadership and yes, sometimes a no-excuses-will-do insistence upon what will be first…honoring God with our worship above lesser things. Parents who adopt a verbal commitment to God and follow it with an applied abandonment of faithfulness offer poor examples. Children will follow what YOU DO over what you say.
3. Value your children over the athletics they play. Sports are fun. In most cases, sports are healthy. Up until they become an overwhelming influence that compromises family relationships, family worship, family economics, and family being a family. Every healthy family appreciates the opportunity of encouraging one another to excel and to be a part of community. Sharing in teamwork and learning to work with others are important lessons. Likewise children need other adults that they respect to be guides, mentors, and teachers as well. At the same time…only rarely can one have as great an influence as a parent. You are the most influential help or hindrance to your children’s development and learning. What happens at your family table is far more important than what can ever be done in a classroom or on a field of play. Don’t let sports become the poor substitute for engaged and purposeful parenting.
4. Don’t miss the huge benefit of the church in your children’s lives. Children who grow up in church with regular engagement in church activities have a huge social and educational advantage over children who do not. For example: Children in church choirs learn to read music as early as preschool and elementary ages. Children in regular worship using hymnals learn to follow words and hear them sung, helping them to identify words early and to remember them through learned songs. Children who attend church regularly often participate in activities that give them opportunity to develop in their ability to share with others, learn about people and cultures in far away places, and to interact in ways that allow them to recognize their personal influence upon others for good. Learning from the scriptures offers children, not only the ability to learn about the gospel of Jesus, but to learn about the law, wisdom, geography, and human relationships.
Children who are actively engaged in the life of the church weekly often excel in many other avenues of life as well.
5. Tell the truth. Children are often left uninformed about many “adult” matters. Certainly there are appropriate ways to address children in helping them to understand the world and the circumstances around them. At the same time, it is tragic that many children become debilitated adults simply because they were constantly shielded or “left in the dark” about the circumstances of life in general that are a part of life. Children need to understand the facts of what they are facing. They need to comprehend their ability to deal with the world in which they live in a healthy way. They also need a spiritual foundation to support them in the most challenging of times. Talking and sharing and showing children that God helps us is important in the context of daily living. Helping children to understand the reality of death when a loved one dies is important for them to come to terms with. Helping children to respond in appropriate ways to challenges and difficulties is a necessity. Frank and honest and informative discussions about many subjects are needful and necessary in good parenting. The community of faith and the expertise that many can share in a church community are important resources to enable such discussions and valuable conversations.
6. Let your love for your children be evidenced by your testimony of love for God.
When children understand that you have a source of strength that you depend upon beyond yourself, they will understand that they have a source of help not only in you, but also beyond you. That truth will sustain them when you are present and when you are not. That loving gift of faithful witness is the greatest gift a Christian parent can provide.
7. Expect more of your children than they know to expect from themselves. God treats us the same way. To do so sets the bar high. It challenges us to do our best. It reminds us that there is always a goal before us worthy of our greatest and best effort. Couple that challenging expectation with heartfelt love all along the way. God will bless it.
8. Set aside time to listen to your children. Listen to them read. Listen to them share a bible verse. Listen to them pray. Listen to them sing. Listen to them talking about things important in their world. Listen to them without cutting them off to do 100 other less important things. You will long remember when you listened and what you learned and they will too.
9. Teach your children to respect those who are different from them. We live in a vastly diverse world. Making enemies out of everyone who is different from “us” only creates
an impoverished attitude and perspective upon life. God calls us to share his Gospel with all the nations. Every man, woman, and child is someone for whom Christ died. Teach
by example your willingness to be kind and engaged and influential in building bridges to others, instead of walls. Your children will follow your lead.
10. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it for the glory of God. That measure of commitment will enable your best, will enrich your life many fold, and will enable you and your children to discover great hope and joy in the gifts of G
praying allows them to share their concerns with God and that He leads and guides us.
2. Prioritize spiritual growth and development. Commit by intentional choice to the discipline of weekly bible study and worship. Children need parental leadership and yes, sometimes a no-excuses-will-do insistence upon what will be first…honoring God with our worship above lesser things. Parents who adopt a verbal commitment to God and follow it with an applied abandonment of faithfulness offer poor examples. Children will follow what YOU DO over what you say.
3. Value your children over the athletics they play. Sports are fun. In most cases, sports are healthy. Up until they become an overwhelming influence that compromises family relationships, family worship, family economics, and family being a family. Every healthy family appreciates the opportunity of encouraging one another to excel and to be a part of community. Sharing in teamwork and learning to work with others are important lessons. Likewise children need other adults that they respect to be guides, mentors, and teachers as well. At the same time…only rarely can one have as great an influence as a parent. You are the most influential help or hindrance to your children’s development and learning. What happens at your family table is far more important than what can ever be done in a classroom or on a field of play. Don’t let sports become the poor substitute for engaged and purposeful parenting.
4. Don’t miss the huge benefit of the church in your children’s lives. Children who grow up in church with regular engagement in church activities have a huge social and educational advantage over children who do not. For example: Children in church choirs learn to read music as early as preschool and elementary ages. Children in regular worship using hymnals learn to follow words and hear them sung, helping them to identify words early and to remember them through learned songs. Children who attend church regularly often participate in activities that give them opportunity to develop in their ability to share with others, learn about people and cultures in far away places, and to interact in ways that allow them to recognize their personal influence upon others for good. Learning from the scriptures offers children, not only the ability to learn about the gospel of Jesus, but to learn about the law, wisdom, geography, and human relationships.
Children who are actively engaged in the life of the church weekly often excel in many other avenues of life as well.
5. Tell the truth. Children are often left uninformed about many “adult” matters. Certainly there are appropriate ways to address children in helping them to understand the world and the circumstances around them. At the same time, it is tragic that many children become debilitated adults simply because they were constantly shielded or “left in the dark” about the circumstances of life in general that are a part of life. Children need to understand the facts of what they are facing. They need to comprehend their ability to deal with the world in which they live in a healthy way. They also need a spiritual foundation to support them in the most challenging of times. Talking and sharing and showing children that God helps us is important in the context of daily living. Helping children to understand the reality of death when a loved one dies is important for them to come to terms with. Helping children to respond in appropriate ways to challenges and difficulties is a necessity. Frank and honest and informative discussions about many subjects are needful and necessary in good parenting. The community of faith and the expertise that many can share in a church community are important resources to enable such discussions and valuable conversations.
6. Let your love for your children be evidenced by your testimony of love for God.
When children understand that you have a source of strength that you depend upon beyond yourself, they will understand that they have a source of help not only in you, but also beyond you. That truth will sustain them when you are present and when you are not. That loving gift of faithful witness is the greatest gift a Christian parent can provide.
7. Expect more of your children than they know to expect from themselves. God treats us the same way. To do so sets the bar high. It challenges us to do our best. It reminds us that there is always a goal before us worthy of our greatest and best effort. Couple that challenging expectation with heartfelt love all along the way. God will bless it.
8. Set aside time to listen to your children. Listen to them read. Listen to them share a bible verse. Listen to them pray. Listen to them sing. Listen to them talking about things important in their world. Listen to them without cutting them off to do 100 other less important things. You will long remember when you listened and what you learned and they will too.
9. Teach your children to respect those who are different from them. We live in a vastly diverse world. Making enemies out of everyone who is different from “us” only creates
an impoverished attitude and perspective upon life. God calls us to share his Gospel with all the nations. Every man, woman, and child is someone for whom Christ died. Teach
by example your willingness to be kind and engaged and influential in building bridges to others, instead of walls. Your children will follow your lead.
10. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it for the glory of God. That measure of commitment will enable your best, will enrich your life many fold, and will enable you and your children to discover great hope and joy in the gifts of G
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