As a pastor, I think a lot about the church. Obviously... it's kind of my job to do so.
However, I'm finding that as I settle into my role, I'm not just asking questions about how to do things, but I'm asking why we do things. The elders and staff, with a weariness in their voice, will attest to my doing this ;).
If you take a good, hard look at the Scriptures, you will notice that the church is purposed with one major, difficult, glorious task: to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4, Matthew 28:16-20, etc.) It's to collectively (aided immensely by the Holy Spirit) form our mind, our heart, and our life to look more and more like Jesus as we get closer and closer to meeting him.
Pastors love to write, rant, and rave about the best way to do this (...said the pastor writing a post about the very topic...). Indeed, much great thought has gone into this over the centuries. At the end of the day, however, each church must ask itself if its efforts, intentions, and priorities are producing disciples. Each church is different, and each context is different, and I believe now more firmly than ever that each church must discern what this task looks like with the people and season it has in its hands. There are best practices, there are things to avoid, but all in all, each church can't just copy what the church down the street or the cool church on socials is doing. As long as it is supported by Scripture and is in the best interest for the disciples being made, each church should have flexibility to adapt in the way that best suits the formation of disciples of all ages.
Discipleship in Jesus doesn't just start once we are "grown up." We don't reserve our modeling, our teaching, and our learning for those who are "mature" in age or stature. In fact, Jesus himself encouraged the children to come to him, and warned his adult disciples not to hinder them from doing so (Matthew 19:13-15).
We have always valued children at Anthem Church. This has been reflected in leadership (shoutout to Deacon Paden Rourk, who has lovingly and sacrificially led Anthem Kids for the past few years) and through the countless volunteers who have sacrificed time and energy to teach our children on Sunday mornings. We love you, we value you, and we see you. Most importantly, God sees you, and he honors your work.
We have every intention of continuing these efforts, to make Jesus known to the children of this church, but we want to ask ourselves the question that we would ask of any of our other ministries: are we doing this the best we can? Is what we are doing sustainable? Kids ministry, as it is currently constructed, is less than two hours every week. How do we equip families to disciple their children the other six days of the week? Should we try something different? What role does the church play in doing all of this? How can we help? What about our teens and preteens (more on this to come in the fall...)?
If you are a parent, a kids ministry volunteer, or have any interest in building up and strengthening our kids ministry, then I would like to invite you to join us for a Kids Ministry Meeting at 1pm on August 13, after the gathering. We want to begin these discussions and spend some time praying for the Lord's wisdom and help in establishing our church as a place where men, women, and children are built up in the person and work of Jesus.
If you plan on attending, please register below so we can plan and prepare a venue accordingly. Precise location and other details will be provided closer to the event.
May God raise up every boy and girl who come to us into men and women who are fiercely devoted to Jesus all the days of their life. May they know his grace, and may they grow in truth. May they be sharpened and sent forth, confident and competent to represent Christ as lights in the darkness of our world.
Blessings,
Andrew
However, I'm finding that as I settle into my role, I'm not just asking questions about how to do things, but I'm asking why we do things. The elders and staff, with a weariness in their voice, will attest to my doing this ;).
If you take a good, hard look at the Scriptures, you will notice that the church is purposed with one major, difficult, glorious task: to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4, Matthew 28:16-20, etc.) It's to collectively (aided immensely by the Holy Spirit) form our mind, our heart, and our life to look more and more like Jesus as we get closer and closer to meeting him.
Pastors love to write, rant, and rave about the best way to do this (...said the pastor writing a post about the very topic...). Indeed, much great thought has gone into this over the centuries. At the end of the day, however, each church must ask itself if its efforts, intentions, and priorities are producing disciples. Each church is different, and each context is different, and I believe now more firmly than ever that each church must discern what this task looks like with the people and season it has in its hands. There are best practices, there are things to avoid, but all in all, each church can't just copy what the church down the street or the cool church on socials is doing. As long as it is supported by Scripture and is in the best interest for the disciples being made, each church should have flexibility to adapt in the way that best suits the formation of disciples of all ages.
Discipleship in Jesus doesn't just start once we are "grown up." We don't reserve our modeling, our teaching, and our learning for those who are "mature" in age or stature. In fact, Jesus himself encouraged the children to come to him, and warned his adult disciples not to hinder them from doing so (Matthew 19:13-15).
We have always valued children at Anthem Church. This has been reflected in leadership (shoutout to Deacon Paden Rourk, who has lovingly and sacrificially led Anthem Kids for the past few years) and through the countless volunteers who have sacrificed time and energy to teach our children on Sunday mornings. We love you, we value you, and we see you. Most importantly, God sees you, and he honors your work.
We have every intention of continuing these efforts, to make Jesus known to the children of this church, but we want to ask ourselves the question that we would ask of any of our other ministries: are we doing this the best we can? Is what we are doing sustainable? Kids ministry, as it is currently constructed, is less than two hours every week. How do we equip families to disciple their children the other six days of the week? Should we try something different? What role does the church play in doing all of this? How can we help? What about our teens and preteens (more on this to come in the fall...)?
If you are a parent, a kids ministry volunteer, or have any interest in building up and strengthening our kids ministry, then I would like to invite you to join us for a Kids Ministry Meeting at 1pm on August 13, after the gathering. We want to begin these discussions and spend some time praying for the Lord's wisdom and help in establishing our church as a place where men, women, and children are built up in the person and work of Jesus.
If you plan on attending, please register below so we can plan and prepare a venue accordingly. Precise location and other details will be provided closer to the event.
May God raise up every boy and girl who come to us into men and women who are fiercely devoted to Jesus all the days of their life. May they know his grace, and may they grow in truth. May they be sharpened and sent forth, confident and competent to represent Christ as lights in the darkness of our world.
Blessings,
Andrew
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