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Strengthen the Church-Home Faith Connection
As Marya slides another chair across the kitchen
floor to accommodate our daily dinner invitation:
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest... I am humbled by
the childlike faith that inspires such hospitality.
At the same time, I wonder how many other children
are prompted to share their faith today.
Research by Search Institute indicates that only 35
% of American Protestant families pray at
mealtimes. Though their findings also show parents
to be the most effective influence in nurturing
their children's faith, over half of the youth
surveyed rarely or never engage in a faith-related
conversation with their fathers. Thirty-five
percent rarely or never talk about faith with their
mothers. According to Albert Ostler of Perkins
Seminary, "It's as if an earlier generation
understood it all and then forgot to tell their
children who never asked." The accelerated pace of
American society limits family communication about
anything to just a few minutes a day.
Observe the context Jesus set for nurturing faith
in Matthew 19:14 & 15. Jesus took time in the midst
of his teaching ministry to honor and bless the
children. Jesus' invitation to children was not to
a distant meeting time or place, like the temple.
It was immediate! Right then and there, he blessed
them. His hospitality promoted faith relationships
beyond church or Sunday school membership. He
modeled a concept of and for faith in daily life!
Baptism has long been the celebrated entry point
for faith growth in community. In the baptismal
liturgy, the home and the church join together in a
common intent to nurture a child's faith. The roles
are claimed and clarified as the family accepts
primary responsibility for faith growth and the
church readily responds with support and community.
The catechism is an expression of our historical
commitment to this premise. Through the years,
reality, experience and tradition have shaped our
good intent and three models of actual partnership
have emerged.
THE "YOU'RE THE EXPERT- YOU DO IT" MODEL
In this model, parents essentially waive their
right and privilege to be intimately involved in
their child's faith growth. The church rises to the
occasion and accepts primary responsibility for
nurturing the child in faith. It provides programs
and events on-site for children of all ages. The
role of the parents becomes one of logistics as
they juggle regular attendance and transportation
needs.
THE "I WILL IF YOU WILL" MODEL
The church is still the primary center or location
for faith growth and parents are open and willing
to follow the churches "lead." The parents and
church leaders make a conscientious effort to
support one another in programmatic and resourceful
ways. The parents are willing to teach and assist
in the classroom and the church provides and
promotes relevant resources for families to grow in
faith together.
THE "I WILL AND I ASK GOD TO HELP ME" MODEL
In this model, parents are empowered to take
primary responsibility for their child's growth.
The church is committed to affirming, equipping and
supporting the home as the primary center for
Christian education. They engage parents right from
the start. Programs are coordinated with parents to
meet the on-going needs of the children, youth and
families. The findings of Search Institute reflect
the effects of the first model. The challenge or
privilege of the church today becomes one of
refocusing it's educational ministry on the second
and third models. In nurturing a concept of and for
daily life, we must bless the children with parents
who are equipped to model it. The options are as
varied as our willingness to let the Spirit inspire
our interpretation.
- Connect with parents at transition points of family
life, i.e., birth, first day of school, adolescence
and graduation. Surround them with prayer and
supportive relationships.
- Establish intergenerational mentoring relationships
based first on practical need.
- Celebrate the promise of Jesus in Matthew 28:20 as
you teach families to greet and leave each other
with the words, "The Lord be with you," which
prompts the response, "And also with you." It can
become a powerful exchange in the midst of daily
life.
- Promote "instant prayers" as a quick and natural
way of focusing on God's presence, comfort and care
in times of challenge or celebration.
- Help parents see their homes as micro-communities
of faith. Give them practical tools for
communication and conflict resolution that model
unconditional love and forgiveness.
- Invite children to gather together and learn to
pray with you.
Establish a vision for children, youth and family
ministries in your faith community that will
nurture the home as the center for faith growth and
the church as a gathering place to equip, support
and celebrate. Strengthen the faith connection!
Miriam Campbell is associate director for Christian
Education, Children and Family Ministry in the
Division for Congregational Ministries, Education
and Evangelism Team. Her ministry is daily inspired
by four growing daughters. Miriam may be contacted
for information and consultation on children and
family ministries by calling: 800/638-3522, ext.
2558, or through e-mail:
miriam.campbell@elca.org.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY RESOURCES
My Place at God's Table is a series of resources to prepare young children for Holy
Communion. This series is available by calling
Augsburg Fortress Publishers at 800/328-4648.
The
series includes:
- A Child's Book gives children, 3-5 years, an
orientation to God's table as a place for them.
ISBN 0-8066-3643-2, $5.99
- The Family Book presents an introduction to the
Lutheran sacraments with activities and suggestions
for developing a greater understanding of faith
expression at church and at home. ISBN
0-8066-3644-0, $3.49
- Exploring the Sacraments with Young Children: A
Leader Resource provides information about young
children and helpful ways to communicate with
contemporary families as they are engaged in
sacramental learning. Outlines for four sessions
include activities for children and their families.
ISBN 0-8066-3645-9. $9.99
Writer: Miriam Campbell
Copyright ©
1998 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 W. Higgins
Road, Chicago, IL 60631. 800/638-3522. Produced by Christian Education of the Division for
Congregational Ministries.
Permission is granted for congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America to reproduce this resource for local use.
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