MY PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

How often have you heard it said that we must provide Christian Education opportunities for children and youth because, “ They are the church of the future! ” I know that those who utter such thoughts are well intentioned, care about children and are devoted to the church. I just believe the “children are the future of the church” concept is wrong.

There are countless solid reasons to support the church ’ s ministry to the younger generation. Nurturing a strong Christian faith and practice, passing along our story, fulfilling our baptismal vows as the family of God, caring about the future of our children and the future of our church are all excellent reasons to maintain a solid Christian Education program. But we make a mistake when we assume that children are the church’s future. They are not. According to Jesus, children are the church’s present.

Jesus was at the end of a long day of teaching. He was tired. Exhausted. His disciples knew it, but people kept bringing their children up to Jesus for him to bless. Jesus laid his hands on them and prayed for them, but Jesus ’ friends knew he needed to rest. So they told the people to give Jesus a break and go home. But Jesus said, “ Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. ” Now. Not ten or fifteen or fifty years from now. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who possess a childlike, innocent, trusting faith now. Children are blessed to have that faith, and the rest of us need to learn from children how to regain the pure faith we once had.

My point is that Christian Education is reciprocal. Adults and youth both have things to learn and things to teach each other. Such is the kingdom of God, and such is Christ ’ s Church when we do things right.

A second premise I maintain in regards to Christian Education is that children learn about the Church and their place in it in all sorts of places, not just in the formal educational setting. In worship, during the fellowship hour, walking down the hall, at home or in a restaurant, how they are spoken to and treated by members of their church family will help to shape, for good or ill, their understanding of and feelings for the body of Christ. That ’ s quite a responsibility for the rest of us! God ’ s grace helps us to fulfill that challenge and offers us forgiveness when we fail.

-Dianne

Click Here for Rev. Dianne's Easter Cookie (and lesson) recipe