Discipleship

To facilitate a truly global conversation, we ask Christian leaders from around the world to respond to the Global Conversation’s lead articles. These points of view do not necessarily represent the Lausanne Movement. They are designed to stimulate discussion from all points of the compass and from different segments of the Christian community. Please add your perspective by posting a comment so that we can learn and grow together in the unity of the Spirit.

A response to:

Big Vision Simple Ideas – Wendy Strachan

There is no end of creative ways we can learn to grow as disciples of Jesus and serve God together as families and communities. Here are some examples of this in our European context involving all the generations together and where the children are also very much at the heart. We are seeing a growing number of intergenerational community service initiatives where Churches are getting involved in their local communities, helping those in need and being instruments of God’s love and compassion. 2 examples of this are:

The Fusion Youth and Community International movement which began in the UK in 2003. From youth cafes to “Open Crowd Community Festivals”, parenting courses to youthwork training – Fusion YAC seeks to work with groups of thoughtful, committed people who want to together help make a difference in their local area under the motto: “Together with Hope”. www.fusionyac.org

Jippi Choirs of children and youth started in Finland and have spread across the country to other parts of Europe and beyond. Many of the parents are involved in what is a great experience of learning, serving and reaching out together to crowds and communities in public places. Teaching, rehearsing, sharing and prayer are part of the preparations before going out together. The songs, teaching materials and ministry model are being translated into a growing number of languages. This is very much a “hands on” community discipleship program where families are going out together to share and demonstrate the joy and transforming power of the Gospel. Through a dynamic blend of songs and testimonies the choirs share the message while the parents with the same choir tee-shirts mingle with the crowds, distributing invitations, praying and engaging in conversations after the program. www.jippiimissio.fi

KidsGames and Family Games sports and games programs, with various forms of inbuilt Bible and discipleship teaching, also involve all the generations serving and growing together. They are great ways for all the generations to engage with families who have had little or no previous contact with Christians or the church. They are also wonderful opportunities for different churches from the same city or locality to learn to know each other and serve together, demonstrating more of the unity and love that should characterize those who claim to be Jesus’ disciples. www.kidsgames.com

At the Kings Kids International European Conference last week I had the opportunity to learn more of some exciting models of communities and families; parents, youth and children, ministering together. At every level they seek apply Biblical values and principals, leading each generation into a deeper relationship with God and proven knowledge of His character and His ways, learning to know His voice and to obey and confide in Him. Bringing joy to God’s heart is a key motivation and first objective in all their activities with the children. www.kki.net

Discipleship concerns all the generations as a lifetime walk with Jesus in which we never stop learning, growing and helping each other in our discipleship walk.

 
Harry Bryans: EEA Children’s Ministry Associate

[email protected]

Hope for Europe Convenor of the European Children’s Ministry Network: www.hfe.org         

Global Children’s Forum European region facilitation team member: www.globalchildrensforum.com         

4/14 Global Initiative Facilitator for Western Europe: www.4to14window.com