What generation are you living for?

In Coleman’s’ book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, he asks the question: “What generation are you living for?”  If you are like me, it will cause you to pause and think.  Where is your focus … really?  What are your priorities … who/what do you care about? The here, now, me and mine … or do you desire to look beyond yourself in order to give of yourself to others. I believe that the later is the desire of the majority of us. So, do we understand the biblical implications and responsibilities of reaching beyond ourselves to the ones who come after us? In an article written by Mark Steiner, he states that “In this generation as never before, cultural gravity relentlessly pulls Christian children down – and they are drowning. 

Statistics warn us that eight of every ten Christian kids are drinking in the world’s value system.”  Can we honestly say that we are concerned about the generation that is currently flooding the hallways and classrooms of our own church?  Namely, kids?  Noisy, messy, bouncy, happy and sometimes grumpy kids!  Scripture confirms that kids are valuable, so valuable in fact that Jesus uses children to illustrate the way each of us need to come to Him. “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” And in another place Jesus adds, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.  For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  God has placed kids here to carry on His plan, long after we are gone. Children believe easily but God does not want us to be unaware of the importance He places on loving, caring and training of these children.  It needs to be intentional; kids must be taught to obey, to respect God and others, to praise God and to serve. 

They need to learn to use their Bibles, to pray together, and to share Jesus’ love with their friends.  And we (adults who have been filled up with knowledge) are commanded to teach them, to train them and to lead them into all spiritual knowledge.  Parents have a huge responsibility in this … but we all are accountable. 

Many of you may be aware that this past weekend we were not able to open the preschool ministries (ages 2, 3 and 4) for the Saturday 5:30 service or the Sunday 11:00 am service.  This presents a very serious situation and requires our careful attention.  The Children’s ministry staff is very intentional in the discipleship of our children.  So when the classes are unavailable for any service we take it personally as we know it is a week lost to the teaching of God’s Word to the youngest of our congregation. With this in mind, I ask you to consider three things:

1 –Our children and their families. The absence of available ministry takes a significant toll on our young families as they sincerely desire to have a place for each of their children when they come to church.  This past weekend we saw several parents bring their children for dedication.  As a church family we commit to partnering together with them in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  This includes providing a place for the whole family to come and learn from the Word of God.

2 –Our current volunteers.  We have over 100 people who volunteer either full-time or part-time in our children’s ministries.  These people have committed to give their time, their love and their experience to the children of Northview.  They fill our classrooms weekly to mentor our children and are dedicated to passing on their faith to the next generation. These are the people who make our church a delightful place for our kids.  Pray for them.  They are laying a solid foundation for our future leaders

3 –Our pressing need for additional workers.  I am convinced that God has the people we need right here in our congregation.  There are people who have the gifts, the abilities and the desire to teach the future leaders of our church.  We just need to know who they are!  Please help us spread the word that we are looking for them!

At the moment we need:

Saturday 5:30 – preschool helpers … to assist the classroom teachers with activities, crafts, snack and classroom control.

Sunday 11:00 – preschool helpers and an age two classroom teacher.  This teacher would lead the class and teach the Bible lesson each week.

All volunteers need to commit to either full time (a service every week) or part-time (a service every other week).

Once these positions are filled and the preschool classes are open, we will be looking for additional help in the grade school to divide some very large classes.

This is an amazing problem.  Do you see it?  Our classes continue to grow and so does the need for additional help.  This will be an on-going demand throughout the year as we continue to strive to give our kids the very best Christian education that we can. 

Since you have read this far, I would also like to challenge you to pray for middle school teachers also.  I know that there is a need for Saturday teachers for the grades 6 and 7/8.  Pastor Dan would love to hear from you!

Could you get involved?  Do you need more information about what we do and what is expected of our volunteers?  Please contact me if you have any questions. 

My heart’s prayer and passion is that each and every child will know Jesus and will feel welcomed, wanted, safe, happy and loved at Northview Church.  And … that each one will have his or her own chair!

Thank you for the privilege of serving the children of Northview.

And, thank you for your prayers.