Children in your congregation bring life, purpose, and joy. They are our legacy and our gift to future generations. This year, gather a team of people who understand children's importance to your community and create a space for them to thrive.
Many of us renew our commitment to projects old and new at this time. In that spirit, I am recommitting myself to encouraging Global Methodist congregations in their great commission goal of reaching every child in each community. Jesus' emphasis on children is unmistakable. We are called to live our faith so that children are drawn to it.
This means pouring ourselves into loving and discipling every child every day. It means engaging with children. Even those who don't believe they have a gift in this area can embrace nurturing the next generation. Clergy and laity can work together to create an atmosphere where childlike faith can mature.
Children are not merely the future of our faith communities but also an integral part of our present. They bring joy, fresh thoughts, good energy, and the light of Jesus Christ. They give us a reason to teach, and through that teaching, we learn the Good News all over again.
Children need high-quality ministry from people who are committed to raising them in the love of the Lord. When a church prioritizes this, it becomes a strong force in the Kingdom of God. Lives change. Hearts turn back to God. A generation of believers rise. Integrating children into the full life of your faith community revitalizes everyone.
Many of you have asked for suggestions on how to build or rebuild children's ministries. I have shared many activities and program models that often work to draw children and their families, but one thing succeeds above all others.
Every church with a vibrant presence of children and youth has at least one dedicated adult who loves Jesus and children and is passionate about merging them. It takes one person with a fire in their heart and an urgent drive to bring children to Christ. This person knows the value of children and understands to the core that without children, our denomination and churches will wither on the vine.
Are you that person? Can you become that person? Is it you that will save the children of your community and, by so doing, save the community as a whole? Can you kindle a fire in your heart and bring children to Christ as someone once brought you? Will you respond to the call of Christ to bring the children to His feet?
If Global Methodists are to shine the light of Christ for generations to come, we must create spaces in which children are held in high esteem and actively loved by Christ. Throw away the cartoon videos and coloring sheets. Invest in the children with your person, presence, patience, and passion.
This year is the year that Global Methodists need to speak about children's ministry at every gathering—every week at every church, every charge conference, every annual conference. What is the state of children in our denomination? We must meet this great commission.
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