The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: The Children’s Team
Date: 01.06.2010
Category: Children & Youth
Editors’ Note: This is an advance paper for Cape Town 2010, written as an early draft of content to be discussed at the multiplex session on “There are No Unreached Children.” Responses to this paper will be fed back to the authors and other planners of these sessions to help shape the final presentations at the Congress.
Children are being reached from every angle by political parties, other faiths, secularism, corporations and a myriad of other causes. Above all, the children of the world need to know Jesus. They need to know the truth of His claims, to experience a personal relationship with Him and to be equipped to follow and serve Him throughout their lives.
Imagine if, as the global body of Christ, we affirmed that one of our main goals was to introduce children to Jesus and to disciple them in such a way as to encourage deep, long-lasting and community-engaging Christian faith.
In order to consider such a step we need first to examine our convictions about why children are important in the context of God, the church and the world. Second, we need to explore the trends emerging within the body of Christ in relation to children and to commit to the principles and actions that arise from these. Now is the time to consolidate our biblical foundation for prioritising children and to join in with what God is doing amongst them!
WHY CHILDREN? OUR FOUNDATIONAL CONVICTIONS
God is…
God is God for every generation in human history. The God of our fathers never changes and he desires to enter into a life-changing relationship with our children. His unwavering intention is, and always has been, that the torch of faith would be passed to the succeeding generations through the family and the church.
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes and established the law, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” (Psalm 78:3–7)
The Church is…
The church is the primary instrument of God’s grace to save the world. Since the Lausanne movement was birthed in 1974, many church initiatives have flourished in this purpose at both local and global levels. Movements such as AD2000, the Unreached People Group movement, and the impetus for the 10/40 Window, have carried the vision to reach and disciple the nations and those who have never heard.
Other initiatives have sought to equip and empower families to raise God-fearing children. Yet the stark reality is that neither families nor the church have done all they could or should to pass the torch of faith to the next generation. The church has not always supported families, nor properly appreciated the place and role of children.
The church is not meeting the needs of our families and children. The inadequacy of our efforts has left not only our children, but our very societies naked and exposed. The strength and influence of families, particularly Christian families, has diminished. Many are no longer providing stability and guidance, security and hope. The world that exists today for children and young people amply demonstrates that our efforts have not been sufficient to the task.
The church is in a vulnerable position. Around the world, where the church has been long established it is now in decline. Even where the church is relatively new, energetic and growing, we see cracks and signs of decay— the growth of even these churches may be slowing. The church is seen as increasingly irrelevant with nothing to say to today’s issues. There is a constant struggle for us to remain a community carrying out Jesus’ Great Commission in an ever-changing world.
Yet, the very thing that could bring about radical and lasting change in society and vitality in our churches is already in our hands— the children of Christian families; the children in the communities in which the church has been planted; the children inside and outside the church. Our selfishness and indulgent lifestyles are causing us to let these precious mission partners slip through our fingers.
For discussion:
The World is...
The world is in turmoil. Every generation can honestly claim that theirs is without precedent in need and challenge. But without a doubt our generation, with its post–modern mindset, globalization, terrorism, the internet, and accelerated technological change, creates unparalleled complexity and opportunity in this dawn of the Third Millennium. Information floods our senses for good or evil, far beyond the wildest imaginings of our predecessors. Children and young people today have never known a life without virtual realities. Their world is one of social media, blogs, texting, and video swapping. Never have they taken a photograph that they couldn’t instantly see. Technology is their nurse and mentor. Our children have everything to live with, but nothing to live for. Their minds and lives are filled with an unimaginable overload of information, but no undeniable Truth; nothing to ground their existence, to provide meaning or purpose; nothing that suggests a reason for living more persuasive than instant gratification, or a search for escape.
The world is unfriendly to children. They bear the impact of the threats and perils of our times: natural and human disasters, armed conflict, rampant commercialism, environmental pollution, violence, abuse and neglect. Whether wealthy or poor, the secure walls and sure foundations of our children’s lives are crumbling and broken.
Children are…
Children are no remote or obscure people group. The Church today may not be looking for children, but they wouldn’t have to look far to find them.
They are found…
Children are precious in God’s sight. Some Christian leaders think the Bible says very little about children. However, as we begin to read Scriptures with the child in the midst, we are seeing that children are not just present, but prominent in Scripture. Indeed, there are more than 1500 references to children and childhood (including orphans, parenting and training). Very often children and youth are found playing important, even crucial roles in the outworking of God’s plans.
To God, children are:
For discussion:
Children are a suffering people group. Almost one third of the world’s population, approximately 2 billion people, are under the age of 15. 3. Most of the world’s children, 88% of under-18s, live in the less developed world. 4. Experts estimate that 1 billion children will be born in the decade from 2003-2013 and over 90% of them to mothers and fathers earning less than $US1 a day. 5. Extrapolating from population statistics, approximately 1 billion children live in parts of the world where they may never have heard of Jesus. Children are among the most marginalized, exploited, and suffering people groups in the world. Jesus had a very disturbing suggestion in Matthew 18:6, for those who cause any of the little ones who believe in him to sin.
For discussion:
Children are open to the Good News. Many Christian leaders today can point to an awakening to faith in their childhood. Studies by the George Barna Research Group show that in the USA, the probability of someone coming to trust in Jesus is 32% for those between the ages of 5 and 12, but only 6% at age 19 or older. It seems that by age 13, one’s spiritual identity is largely set in place.6. This is the basic premise of an idea called the “4/14 Window”. 7. Unofficial studies in many contexts strongly suggest that the openness of children to the Good News is present in cultures and societies around the world, regardless of religious or cultural background. 8. Any serious mission strategy will include careful and appropriate efforts to reach children and young people.
For discussion:
Children are shapers of their world. They are the greatest potential agents for change and transformation in the world today. Children are influencers of other children and of the adults in their lives. Many groups are seeking to use them to advance their agendas. For example, most advertising to families targets children because they have the power to influence family decisions. We must protect them from harmful and manipulative influences and guide them to the Truth found in Christ.
Many people who came to Christ as children attest that it was friends or peers who most strongly influenced them in their faith decision. This means that not only are children a significant mission field, they are also an important mission force. The Bible is full of examples of children and young people who were used by God to do and to reveal significant things, including Miriam, Samuel, David, Josiah, Esther and Timothy, to name just a few.
Children are ready for any challenge. Indeed they thrive on tackling the seemingly impossible. We must respect their abilities, welcome their talents and nurture their gifts. They have a sensitivity to God’s voice and an eagerness to serve God’s purposes and are not restricted by preconceived ideas of what is possible or practical. God can and does use children and young people — their prayers, their insights, their hands, and their feet — in changing the hearts of humankind. They represent ‘clean energy’ to transform the world. 9.
WHAT NEXT? KEY PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION BASED ON EMERGING TRENDS
With the above convictions in mind and with a passionate desire to equip the body of Christ for the task of discipling children, we offer the following principles for action, based on emerging trends we have identified. We sense a global movement of God calling the body of Christ to disciple children more effectively.
1. Disciple for deep and long-lasting faith.
There is an increased realization that while the future of the church begins with child evangelism, it is accomplished by discipling and training children as ministry partners today, and developing them as the Christ-following leaders of tomorrow. Relationship development between children who are new in their faith and Christians who are further along the path is a key to this process.
For discussion:
2. Partner with others within a Kingdom agenda.
There is an increased realization that partnership is vital to fulfilling the Great Commission, including the task of discipling the world’s 2 billion children, as no single church, denomination or agency has all the answers or the capacity to do this. Families, churches, denominations, resourcing agencies, missions and care agencies are catching a global vision of Kingdom-minded partnerships for the care, evangelism and discipleship of children. In the manner of our partnerships we must return to the Kingdom values of servant leadership, humility, prayer, integrity, generosity and global equilibrium.
For discussion:
nd partnership within the body of Christ?
3. Reflect on children from a biblical perspective – in churches, seminaries and Bible schools.
There is a sense that equipping Christian workers to care for children and youth is a significant challenge and opportunity for Churches, Seminaries and Bible schools in the coming years. Many seminaries are approaching this not as a new fad or diversion from other worthwhile training, but as the best way to achieve what they have already set out to do – equip the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. The intent is not only to produce leaders who are better equipped to care for, evangelise and disciple children, but also to produce leaders who understand the significance of the Church’s holistic ministry to children, and who can influence others at all levels and in all contexts on behalf of those children.
For discussion:
4. Recognise and encourage the potential of children.
The potential of children is clearly understood by political groups, marketing companies, environmentalists and people of other faiths and there is an emerging concern that this understanding be reclaimed by the body of Christ because it is our heritage. If children can be encouraged to develop their God-given gifts and abilities in the context of relationships with more mature believers then their faith will be grounded in everyday life and our discipleship efforts will be longer lasting. On another level, children are being understood within mission circles as important partners with us in mission. On yet another level, many of the world’s current challenges are so dire that realistically they will take several generations to solve and the real hope for change lies with our children and theirs.
For discussion:
5. Share and contextualise resources.
In the light of the enormity of the task of discipling 2 billion children, and the reality of the lack of resources in many quarters of the church for this task, there is an increasing spirit of generosity and sharing with regard to resources for the care, evangelism and discipleship of children. It is also increasingly being recognised that resources have tended to be developed in certain parts of the world and distributed in others, and that moving forward together we must facilitate the development and sharing of appropriate, contextual material in and from all parts of the world.
For discussion:
6. Adapt to the technological context of children.
While stark contrasts still exist between urban and rural situations, there is an increasing awareness that the technological context of children is a significant forum in which to reach children. While adults may migrate to this context, children are becoming citizens of this context from the youngest ages. Children from all over the world are becoming more alike as a result of globalization and the internet. Technology greatly magnifies the impact of globalization, individualism and secularism on children, but it also opens up incredible opportunities for mission as well as opportunities for grounding the faith of children in everyday life.
For discussion:
CONCLUSION
God, in Christ, is reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). “Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it… we don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing!” 10. It is also true that “he creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” 11. As we try to discern the will of Christ for 21st century evangelization, it appears that now is the time to join in with the remarkable things God is doing through the body of Christ in relation to children. There are no ‘unreached’ children. The issue is, “Who is reaching them?” They are being reached from every angle by political parties, other faiths, secularism, corporations and a myriad of other causes. Above all, the children of the world need to know and follow Jesus. He is their hope, their truth, their peace and their future. The body of Christ needs children with a deep, long-lasting faith as partners in mission today and leaders of the church and the world tomorrow.
God, in Christ, we pray that you would reconcile the children of the world to Yourself.
© The Lausanne Movement 2010
Keywords: Children, affirmation, discipleship, prioritise, care, partnership, change agents, protection, mission, action, Biblical, need, worth, societal influences, empowerment, inadequacies, family unit, evangelism, relationship, training
Views: 20099
Comments: 45
Recommendations: 8
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Canada
Thank you for writing such an important article. Our children are the future leaders of the Church. It’s imperative that we make them a key priority in our evangelistic efforts. I have friends working with sexually exploited children in Cambodia and abandoned children in China. For the first time in their lives, they have hope because they are getting to know our God of infinite love and grace. How can their lives not be profoundly changed as they put more and more trust in this Lord who saves He will save them? If enough of these children are exposed and transformed by Christ’s love, joy and hope, a future generation of God-fearing believers will sweep through some of the darkest places in the world. Thank you again for highlighting such an important missions topic.
03.10.2010
United States
I really enjoyed the paper and the points that were presented. I believe that children are the most important part of society but have been neglected. It is my passion to reach children because they are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the next generation and what better way to raise children then in the truth of Jesus Christ? I agree that the church has not done its job. It has taken a back seat to the culture of today. There are so many children who observe and listen to the wrong messages. The ways of the world are influencing them and since the church does not like to talk about these certain issues the children just follow along. I truly believe in the proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child." This is so true. The Christian community must come around the family unit and be willing to pour into the lives of their children. They must be willing to confront the hard issues and be willing to have in depth conversations so that children know who their Heavenly Father truly is and who they stand for. If the 4/14 window is true then why are we not diligently seeking after this group? God loves children and so should we. I believe that they can be a greater influence than any pastor or elder. I have known children who hear the truth and then go home and share the gospel with their parents. Before you know it the whole family is living for God. Children must be among the priority instead of "among the most marginalized, exploited, and suffering people groups in the world." They are the leaders of tomorrow. Proverbs 22:6 states, Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." I am so thankful that you see the need for children’s ministry. May God bless you richly as you continue to show others what He has revealed to you!
30.09.2010
Netherlands
William Booth (Salvation Army) once said: ’When an adult comes to the Lord a soul is saved, when a youth comes to the Lord a life is saved.’ It is so important to tell our children and youth about Christ and live Christ for them. Also to love and live the Bible, His Word to us.
There’s a lot of truth in this paper, but I would state some things a little different. For example: Yes, the church is not meeting the needs of children and families, but I would state it also as: the church is struggling to meet this need, because there are also a lot of willing people, not knowing how to. And what do you mean exactly with ’need’.
The ministry I am in - teacher / trainer youthwork at the Youthworkers Education (post graduate), for Christian Youthworkers - places high priority to young people. It started, because we saw the churches do not know what to do with youth (90 a week leave the church and where do they go?).
Children and youth are open to the Gospel. It seems like the are constantly in the edge and we need to bring them to Christ sooner and more deliberate than before. it also takes more of an effort, as most of them are not part at all of a Christian network or something like it. It takes creativity and choice to get in contact with them. It takes preparation to know what to share with them. Above all, it takes prayer, prayer, prayer for them and a deep love for the Bible, so it becomes so much part of us, that we can speak it in their language at the most unexpected moments.
30.09.2010
United States
I was able to read through the paper, “There are No Unreached Children” and wanted to briefly comment.
I realize some of my comments may be viewed as critical and negative, but I trust you will not look upon them as so. My comments are as follows:
1. Could the paper be written in a more positive way?
2. Quite a few observations regarding the need for ministry to children are given, but they are very general and may be applicable to only one country, but not to others.
3. It might be good to add the translation used when quoting scripture such as on page 1 (Psalm 78:3-7).
4. Since the paper will be read cross-culturally, it might be good to capitalize deity throughout the paper (He, Him, etc.) and also use a translation that capitalizes deity.
5. Regarding the above and using translations, I would highly encourage you NOT to use anything from The Message. When quoting scripture, do not use a paraphrase, especially The Message which is quoted in #10. The Message is very American which includes phraseology and clichés which are not applicable overseas and certainly not understood. For example, look at James 1:27. I would encourage you to stick to a reputable translation like the ESV, NASB, RSV, NKJ, etc., but certainly not the Message!
6. I would also encourage you not to use quotes from Barna. Many of his statistics, quotes and prophecies have not proven true and accurate. That is why many are no longer using Barna’s quotes and statistics and because it seems as most of them are simply regarding California and certainly not applicable throughout the US, Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
7. As much as possible, take out clichés and phrases that may not be understood, even though we in the children’s movement understand them. For example, on page 3 (3rd paragraph) it says, “…as we begin to read Scriptures with the child in the midst, we are seeing…” I would not use the phrase “child in the midst.” What does this mean to a person reading the paper who does not know the background of this phrase?
8. The paper might be looked upon with more acceptance if the footnotes are taken from studies from 2008, 2009, and 2010, rather than earlier dates.
9. Item #3, does the paragraph not match the title?
We want to thank you very much for the ministry of GCF. We trust God will use you mightily to challenge the church worldwide to continue to send forth workers and missionaries to work with the needy children of the world.
“Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans . . . in their troubles . . .” (James 1:27 NLT).
Thank you very much for your teamwork in the Gospel!
Doug Nichols
30.09.2010
Guyana
In Guyana we are discipling children through Good News Clubs. Each month we have a national focus and have worked on activities that focus on racism, homosexuality, Islam ... all in an effort to give a biblical worldview. Children have been taking Jesus into the marketplace.
14.06.2010
United States
@ Veda_Ram:
I agree with you Penny. The children are important and are the next generation. God Bless you for your heart concerning this matter.
May God richly bless u for your insight and comments.
Love in Jesus
Advocate for Children and Youth
Rhonda Rivera
23.09.2010
United States
Thank you for examining the need for reaching children with the Gospel and for raising insightful questions about this topic. I am particularly interested in how we can disciple children in a "more lasting and effective" manner. In my context, many children are brought to or placed in church programs (often by unchurched parents who want their children in a safe environment where they will be taught good behavior), but then they disappear at the beginning of their teen years. How can we help them grow in their relationship with God during this transition?
Regarding whose responsibility it is for passing on faith, family or community, as the Church evangelizes children from non-Christian backgrounds we will have to be responsible for their growth and discipleship as well as take on the task of reaching out to their families.
21.09.2010
New Zealand
I appreciate your comments on reaching and discipling children. I don’t see any reference to the part that Christian Camping plays in this ministry. One week at Summer Camp is equal to over a year of Sunday School or youth club. That week of summer camp is a powerful tool in reaching and discipling children, yet it seldom features in any discussion on childrens missions. Christian Camping is reaching 12 million children in 100 countries (identified) each year, and plays a major role in reaching those that traditional ministries don’t touch. I look forward to discussion on the place of Christian Camping at this congress
18.09.2010
Argentina
Muchas gracias por esta presentacion, las preguntas para el diálogo y reflexión y me impacta el parrafo final: "No hay niños “no alcanzados”. El tema es: “¿Quién los está alcanzando?” Están siendo atraídos por todos los ángulos por los partidos políticos, otras creencias, el secularismo, las corporaciones y un sin fin de otras causas. Por sobre todo, los niños del mundo necesitan conocer y seguir a Jesús. Él es su esperanza, su verdad, su paz y su futuro. El cuerpo de Cristo necesita niños con una fe profunda y duradera como compañeros de misión hoy y líderes de la iglesia y del mundo mañana."
17.09.2010
United States
Yes, reaching children with the gospel should be our priority, but unfortunately, many churches don’t think along this line. Therefore, children are the forgotten group who need to know Jesus. When the church has no place for children to worship together with adults, they are sometimes left outside. We, the church of God, must reach out to children of the world and invest in them. They yield the greatest dividends.
I do agree that children can be effective instruments in missions and evangelism. I believe if we tell one child, we tell the world because children are agents of missions. They are not afraid to invite their friends to Vacation Bible Schools, Bible camps, prayer groups, and other church programs. I have seen children share Jesus using the Wordless book. We need to train them now.
13.09.2010
United States
I came to know the Lord Jesus in a personal way when I was 13 through the help of a missionary. I have never truned away from the Lord since then.
Yes, reaching a child for the Lord and then nurturing him to grow in the Lord is so important. His whole life will then be for the Lord. Most parents recognize that, and therefore, invest in their child’s education.
We, the church of God, must reach the children of the world, and invest in their development as a whole person. Then we’ll have a whole person lving for the wholly for the Lord for a long time to come. Unfortunately, many of the children in the developing countries don’t have a chance. Let’s discuss in practical terms how we can strategically reach out to these. Our small mission organization is supporting 3 schools and a children’s hostel to give these children a chance.
10.09.2010
South Africa
@ Freda_C:
Hello Freda,
thanks for sharing your personal story!
We at TWR are passionate about wanting to use radio to reach children in helpful ways, particularly here in Africa.
Would love to hear how you are involved with children.
Regards, Rudolf
10.09.2010
Canada
I enjoyed reading this -- I was pleased to see you included the need of protection. I am of the belief that we have to understand the pain of the abuse children encounter to minister effectively to them. To share the Gospel and not to share in the context of their hurt is missing the mark. My hope is to continue to wrestle with the spiritual impact of abuse. As a child evangelist I believe I and my colleagues have missed the mark in sharing a compact gospel without sharing it within context. Luke 4 is key to this.
The article at times seemed disconnected and I would like to see a different title for this article. I am unsure how the title reflects the thesis. The title may have been chosen to capture attention but that is all that it seems to have accomplished.
I am pleased to see an article on children.
07.07.2010
India
@ Melodie:
It is wonderful to see so much written about children and how to bring them into the christian fold, nurture them, love them enough to be able to teach them the principles we need to. In India, we have a billion people and the latest figures state that about 50% are children and young adults. Imagine the responsibility we have to steer these children and youth the right way, remembering that only 3% of our population are christians. Jesus, as our guide and saviour, is always there to assist us along our difficult and challenging path. The school we have started has a thousand children from underprivileged backgrounds, orphans, one parent, or one parent in jail, etc. We have a double responsibility to these children, but with our Guide, Jesus, the bible as our great Book, we CAN help these children become stab le and loving adults, capable to handling themselves in this difficult world, and to be able to teach their friends, all about Jesus, and to live a true christian life in a world full of misery, dangers, and wrong doings.
19.08.2010
Nigeria
I believe all unreached children are at risk. In Mark 9:35-37, Luke 9:46-48. We look at life and at people the way the disciples did; children are usually excluded. It is important to realize that Jesus does not choose a child because he has some quality or attitude which an adult should strive to have; not because he is so depedent or humble or believes easily. The imporant of child as example lies in his lowly social status."I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little childen, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven, Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" We must do the work of Him that send us while it is day, for night is coming when no man will be able to do anything. The is the time to reach the unreached children, they are everywhere, in every colour, language, tribe, nations, town, village, city, country. I believe we will reach the children with the good news. Ebun
23.07.2010
South Africa
Excerpt from Down to Earth radio series:
"I think when you talk about children at risk, a person in Africa might not wonder “what is this you are talking about”. It is the children that we see every day: those without shoes, those without proper clothing, those who do not have reliable beds, and you know, they are in those conditions. Sometimes it is so part of us, that we do not realise actually that those are bad condition and they do not need to be like that.
I think God is very clear from what we read in the Bible: he has a heart for children.
In fact he has a plan for every child, a plan of holiness to be whole and complete, a plan of sense of peace and joy and hope. That is what God desires for every child: that the child will enjoy the fullness of life as He intended!
Unfortunately these conditions tend to contradict the intentions and desire that God has for every child.
So I think the Church and the Church leadership need to look at how God sees children and take an example from that.
The fact that God has a plan for every child and also we know that as part of the Great Commission, when God says “Go ye into the world and make disciples of all nations”, the world includes children!
So children are not outside the major divine plans and intentions of God, including the Great Commission. God wants children to be released so they can enjoy the fullness of life and be a platform of His glory.
So that when people look at the children, they can glorify God. So God wants children to be part of His Kingdom in practical ways.
And in terms of Church leadership, it is not enough for us to sympathise with the children in suffering, children in abusive circumstances. It is the divine mandate of the Church – the Church is the institution that God has placed with the right and the power and the anointing to change the situation facing children." (Emmanuel Mbennah in the episode on "Children at risk")
You can listen to the complete radio programme at:
http://conversation.lausanne.org/conversations/detail/10528
The Down to Earth-Team
02.07.2010
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