Parenting and the Church
Well, I am now the dad of an 18 year old son. (And so is Marla.) It really isn't so bad. We have two terrific boys - Andrew (18) and Benjamin (10). They are very different. They are also very much the kind of kids anyone would be proud to have. As I think of God's blessings, I wonder why we have such good kids. Of course, Marla is very much a reason. Every time I have talked to a pulpit committee, the question comes up "What role does your wife play in your ministry?" The underlying meaning is: "Does she play piano/organ?" "Will she keep the nursery?" "Will she teach children's choir?" My answer is always the same: "My wife's most important role is to love your pastor and make a good home for him and their children."
I also believe that the success of our kids is a reflection of the churches I have served. They have been loved and cared for, taught, and shown interest. Both of them are bright. Andrew is in the top three in his High School class with a chance to finish first. Benjamin is reading on a level 3 or 4 grades above his 4th grade. I would like to take credit, but I also realize they have been in a learning environment their whole lives. Sunday School, even at the youngest ages, encouraged their memorization, recognition of colors, numbers, letters.
Of course, their character has been largely shaped by the influence of the church. They have role models, what it means to be a Christian man, all around them.
So, as I contemplate my abilities to parent, I must say: "Thank you, Calvary Baptist Church in McAlester, Oklahoma. For a year you provided a comforting nursery." "Bluff Avenue in Fort Smith - you helped shape Andrew's life in so many ways. He was taught, learned to sing, learned to love church there." "Haven Heights, Andrew came to Christ and was baptized there." "Yellowstone Baptist in Cody, we were so far from home and you made our kids love it. There were surrogate grandparents. Role models. Encouragers. FRIENDS." "First Baptist in Waldron, Arkansas. You have nurtured their faith, brought things out from them that I could not. You have celebrated successes with them, prayed for them, and loved them." Parents - your kids need to be involved, with you, in a loving church family. Their future depends on it, and so does YOUR SANITY.
I also believe that the success of our kids is a reflection of the churches I have served. They have been loved and cared for, taught, and shown interest. Both of them are bright. Andrew is in the top three in his High School class with a chance to finish first. Benjamin is reading on a level 3 or 4 grades above his 4th grade. I would like to take credit, but I also realize they have been in a learning environment their whole lives. Sunday School, even at the youngest ages, encouraged their memorization, recognition of colors, numbers, letters.
Of course, their character has been largely shaped by the influence of the church. They have role models, what it means to be a Christian man, all around them.
So, as I contemplate my abilities to parent, I must say: "Thank you, Calvary Baptist Church in McAlester, Oklahoma. For a year you provided a comforting nursery." "Bluff Avenue in Fort Smith - you helped shape Andrew's life in so many ways. He was taught, learned to sing, learned to love church there." "Haven Heights, Andrew came to Christ and was baptized there." "Yellowstone Baptist in Cody, we were so far from home and you made our kids love it. There were surrogate grandparents. Role models. Encouragers. FRIENDS." "First Baptist in Waldron, Arkansas. You have nurtured their faith, brought things out from them that I could not. You have celebrated successes with them, prayed for them, and loved them." Parents - your kids need to be involved, with you, in a loving church family. Their future depends on it, and so does YOUR SANITY.
posted by Steve Young at 8:52 AM
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