(picture originally uploaded to Flickr by josipbroz)
I’ve been working on our children’s ministry philosophy and praxis document for the past few days. My brain hurts from hashing through all my thoughts and putting them down in written form. I had forgotten what it was like to write papers in school!
One of the thoughts that I’ve had is what are we doing to help kids paint a picture of who God is in their lives? Are we trying to paint a picture for them… giving them a paint-by-number image or tracing paper so they “get it right?” Or are we giving them a richer understanding and experience of God, helping them discover who God is, so they can paint a picture of God for themselves that is orthodox yet unique to God’s revelation of himself in their lives?
The latter strategy is risky, but I think it is one of the keys to transformation in the lives of kids… and parents.
What do you think?
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Yeah risky is true man. Trying to let kids paint a picture of God and yet keep that picture inside the lines of scripture is extremely risky.
It would be very tough to outline to volunteers how to be open in allowing kids to paint and yet balance that with their view of God in scripture. Seems sticky and like a big communication task.
So just offering some encouragement (….i guess…) to undertake with caution and make sure you communicate clear and focused.
I think you are awesome and are up to but just reinforcing your feelings of risk and caution.
You're awesome keep pushing forward!
Thanks for that… Yes, communication is key and having clear transformational goals and evaluation is important. I think it's worth the risk, though. I think we forget that the Holy Spirit is the one who does the transforming and is able to fill in where we aren't able to. We let fear stop us from stepping out and trusting God to really step in and make himself real to kids. We need to give him room to do that. In the end, I think the results will far outweigh the potential "risk."