R. It can be difficult to try and raise children in the faith. Not because what is required is difficult, but because there is so much competition for time. Things like football, baseball, show choir are more valued by society and the pressure to have children participate in them is strong.
However, the answer to your question is rooted in these same challenges. To be “successful” in youth athletics you often need to play a sport year-round, to join travel teams, get extra coaching, etc. The more time, energy, resources, practice you give to it the better you will get.
The same is true of our faith. What happens at baptism is a planting of the seed of faith. Yet, without water and food, that seed will not grow, mature, blossom with fruit, be able to withstand storms. If we do not read scripture to our children, how will they know God’s Word? How can they receive forgiveness and strengthening in faith when they aren’t at worship and share in the Meal? How can they learn by example what it means to be a lifelong faithful follower of Christ if they aren’t in fellowship with lifelong followers to provide an example?
I have served the Church for 20 years and have seen many studies about what it takes to make it more likely youth will stay connected to the church and their faith after high school. I have examined that question theologically and biblically as well. There are a handful of things that keep coming up. Here are a few:
- Their parents have a vibrant and active faith- For the most part, youth will wind up with the same kind of belief/connection to the church and faith as their parents. Do you model the faith you want your children to have? Do they see that faith is important enough to place ahead of other important things?
- Connection to 3-5 adults of faith other than family and church staff- When adults of faith take notice of our youth, interact with them, mentor them into ushering, serving communion, how to pray, then those youth are more likely to stay connected. This is where faith communities have a big responsibility, but it also means youth need to be present in this community.
- Feeling a part of the whole community of faith- This means making sure they are apprenticed into the leadership and work of the church from the beginning. It also means that they are part of our worship life together on a regular basis.
Every parent wants what is best for their children, so that they might be happy and successful in life. We are at a time in history where those goals in terms of what society says is important are quickly diverging from those things which our faith says is important. Both things take time, energy, resources, commitment. Here lies the difficulty. We are faced with the question; which way do we go when what is good for our children’s spiritual health and wellness conflicts with what might get them a leg up in society? It does not have to be an either/or choice. The question and difficulty comes in finding the right balance.
It is my commitment to continue this conversation and to support parents and families as they strive to find that balance. Let’s keep talking!
Let me know if you have further questions by contacting me.
God’s Blessings,
Pastor Brian
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