Over the past few weeks and into months there is quite a large group of youth workers, children’s workers, and pastors who are contributing their thoughts and ideas about family ministry. Matt Norman has put together a blog tour to work through these ideas and issues. Because there are so many authors there will be quite a wide verity of options. If you have spent time on my blog, you know that I am passionate about students having separate space to work out their faith as they individuate from their parents. But this space can not be isolated space. If our kids are going to love Jesus for the long haul, they must be connected to the church. As you wrestle with family ministry, check out these posts and get in on the discussion. Blessing!
The million dollar question seems to be something like, “How do we keep students committed to Jesus into adulthood?” This is one of the main questions I have been wrestling with during my tenure as a youth pastor. And depending on the season, I end up somewhere swinging between it all being on Jesus or all being on me. It is true that Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith and as shepherds we are called by god to build up or students in their faith. At the end of the day, it is both. I plant, you water, I plant, you water, and God causes there to be growth and life. This is a mysterious partnership.
