Green! Green! Green!

It's close to St. Patrick's Day. Is anyone else seeing green? Well, if you're not, you're not looking closely enough. Look how our culture has gone green with environmental issues. It's all pervasive.

And no matter what shade of green you are--lime green or emerald green--you have to admit that the environmentalists got it right when they started their movement through children.

Who among us hasn't been corrected by our children--"Don't throw that away! It's recyclable!" "Turn off the water when you brush your teeth." And so on...

What can we learn from these wise-beyond-their-compost-piles environmentalists that would help us get kids to take faith home? To start conversations? To ask questions? To in essence lead their families?

I have a hunch it's more than using "take-home" papers.

Are we helping children at church understand what it means to be a Christ-follower in the context of family? Are we giving them the language they need to ask the questions? What would our strategy look like if we truly understood--like the environmentalists--that "a child shall lead them"?

These are my questions. Anyone have thoughts?

Comments

[Glen Woods]

I am reminded of Jesus' words in Mt 12:48-49, when he identified his family in broader community terms. I wonder if we can equip children to speak the language of family in our churches and bring it into their homes by returning to a healty and balanced ethos of behavior as family in our communities of faith? The examples of love, giving, and concern for the other will have a far greater impact than simply speaking to our kids (or even our church parents), in effect, becoming a framework for spiritual formation within our community. I am probably being idealistic, and I know I currently lack actionable details, but it is something to dream about.

[Chris]

Glen,
YES! I'm wondering in a similar way about creating a common language between church family and home family that calls out what it means to be "family." I heard someone recently say that a value in families is "serving" and even chores are serving one another. How much nicer to communicate that value by saying "This is how we serve one another" instead of "Do your chores!" What do you think of that?

[Lisa Burney]

Even the word FAMILY has to have new meaning!
As a Minister to Children and Families, I get lots of strange looks when I explain that the term "Family" means church family to me. Others asume I am shepherd to Mom, Dad and their 2.4 preschool or elementary age children, only.

I know I am called to foster unity and faith development through a multiplicity of connections within all the church ministries and age- groups, but find language my biggest barrier. Illustrations and action are still my most powerful tools to create understanding.
For example, last Sunday, our Special Ministry team blew me out of the water by sharing a powerpoint that showed we are more alike that different. The slides highlighted something special about each member of the Special needs class. For example, "Billy Jones(special needs ind.) loves fishing! Then the next slide showed a congregation member from another group with the caption. "So does John Brown (a Senior Adult)." "Mary Long (SNeeds)works in an office, so does Janet Wilson (single adult)." Those simple illustrations and short sentences spoke volumes about unity and connection within the body. We were all totally at a lost for words, BUT everyone "got it"!

[john in colorado]

i know that the language - i suppose you could even call it "branding" - would have to be very consistent, very intentional and very easy. as in baseline standards of a christ-following family. is that what you mean?

[Henry Zonio]

I think what the green movement has succeeded in doing that the church hasn't is in giving kids a story in which they can make a difference... really make a difference. Yes, we talk to kids about making a difference, but what we ask them to do is seems abstract at times and unattainable to most kids. The green movement tells kids they can change the world by simply recycling or turning off the water when they brush their teeth or buying those fluorescent bulbs. Why not give kids some actionable steps they can do to change the world around them like be a friend to the kid who gets made fun of or helping feed families in their neighborhood by bringing in canned food to a food bank or organizing a park or school clean up and putting all of that within the context of bringing God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

[Chris Yount Jones]

Lisa,
That slide show sounds wonderful! And it makes a great point that we are all more alike than different.

As far as language and the definition of "family," I get frustrated when I'm in situations where people are trying to define "family." And pretty soon, people are asking, "Is the shut-in lady a family?" "How about the single college student?" And this is going to sound terrible, but I'd say "no, not for what we're talking about--which is ministry to families in the context of children's ministry." Because if we try to be everything to everyone then we're nothing to anyone.

So, my favorite title that I've heard recently and brings clarity to this for me is: "Minister to Families With Children"! Aha! I love it!

So, yes, there can be different kinds of families, but for the sake of clarity and focus...a title like that works great!

Perhaps the youth pastor is now "minister to families with youth." And it brings into focus the wholistic nature of ministry to the entire family.

[Chris Yount Jones]

John,
Yes, I think you're onto something and it resonates with me. Baseline standards that are consistent, intentional, and easy.

And, Henry adds some insight into that with pointing out that the environmental movement accomplished it with consistent, intentional, and easy standards...do one thing...just one thing. What is that? That's what we're grappling with here. Maybe it's more than one, but it has to be VERY simple.

Could it be simply having casual conversation on a regular basis about faith issues? Could it be praying together regularly?

Then...here's the other challenge...when we land on it, we'll have to help families and leaders believe that it can really be that simple. We've done a pretty good job over the years of making it seem way more complicated.

Thoughts?

[Lisa Burney]

Thank you Chris for the Ah Hah! By simply changing "to" to "with" I can limit & define my scope & focus in on a specific area of responsibility. Wish I had thought of that when I accepted the title!

[Chris Yount Jones]

How difficult is it to change your title? What is your title, by the way?

[chris yount jones]

Oops! I meant to say that Henry made a great point about creating a new story for kids. You can make a difference! You do have a great cause--saving the earth! You do matter! And it's not that hard!

Ok...though, here's my question. Part of that environmental story is that there are consequences, ie, if we don't do something quick, your grandkids aren't going to have a planet to live on and enjoy. The consequence creates "the reason why" or a sense of urgency.

So what's the counterpart to our cause? "If you don't do these few simple things, your grandchildren may not even believe in Jesus"? How do we help children see the urgency without crossing a line into fear tactics?

Thoughts?

[Lisa Burney]

My official title is Minister to Children and Families. I sorta misspoke when I said change "to" to "with"... I meant to type "and" to "with". (Brain burp!)
Changing my title would take a change in the Church Constitution by congregational vote... Seriously, last week they had a congregational vote to change "Church secretary" to "Church Administrative Assistant".

[chris yount jones]

Ha! Lisa, you are so funny!

[Beth]

OK, this entry is quite a while after the conversation but I wanted to add this thought with regards to the purpose behind the behaviors. We are in the Lord's army. Today children are very aware of the realities of war and the necessity to fight for what is right. If we don't carry out the orders of "Our Leader" (Christ) then the enemy will gain ground in the war!I love seeing the look of determination take root in the eyes of a child when they finally grasp that every action they make is either for God or against God and they finally decide to stand for God!

[Chris Yount Jones]

Beth,
Great point! Kids need to understand "the reason why"--which is serving and obeying Christ--and not just being a good person!