They have been called:
America’s Primary Mission Field
World’s Most Fruitful Mission Field
And if that is the case, then why do we keep sending babysitters to them when our churches gather?
Those who teach children are some of the most important leaders in our churches. Unfortunately, we often relegate such laborers to a place of secondary significance. They get the Thanksgiving leftovers. We give them a chair at the back of the room (at the kids’ table, of course).
Ask a room full of adult Kingdom citizens (from the United States) how many came to faith in Jesus before 16 years of age and you will discover that the overwhelming majority of them will raise their hands. That is significant. Such should tell us something about the importance of equipping parents and other leaders in the area of making disciples of children.
Of course, my statements are nothing new. We’ve heard these for many years, and from different voices. Times remain the same. Yet, we founder along. For:
“Kids ministry is not cool.”
“We may manipulate kids into making false decisions; let’s not try too much.”
“Kids are not significant leaders, a later investment is better.”
“We just need them to be occupied while we do the more important stuff.”
While:
Our children are asking the Philippian Jailer question.
Our children manifest the faith of children.
Our children are likely to live a lifetime of service making disciples and multiplying churches across the world as they obtain marketable skills, degrees, and places in the global marketplace.
Pastors, equip your leaders to serve well. Don’t ask for chaperones; expect world-impacting disciple makers to serve your students. Invest in training your parents and other leaders to minister accordingly. It is of much present and eternal significance.
If the Kingdom of God belongs to children (Mark 10:13-16), then maybe our labors should reflect such theology.
You are not sending babysitters across the world to make disciples; so, don’t send them down the hall to the student wing.
(image source: Microsoft)