Nurture of the Child
Children are a heritage from the LORD, and the
fruit of womb is a gift. --- Psalm 127:4
THE
CHURCH IS CALLED:
- to
receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God;
- to
proclaim the Gospel to children, in ways that empower them to receive
and respond to God’s love;
- to
give high priority to the quality of planning for children and the
preparation and support of those who minister with them;
- to include children, in fulfillment of the
Baptismal Covenant, as members and full participants in the church’s
common life of prayer, witness and service.
Ministry to the Child
Then Jesus took the children in his arms,
placed his hands on each of them and blessed them--- Mark 10:16
THE
CHURCH IS CALLED:
- to
love, shelter, protect and defend children within its own community
and in the
world, especially those who are
abused, neglected or in danger;
- to
nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in
their
children’s best interest, and recognizing
and fostering their children’s spirituality
and unique gifts;
- to
embrace children who seek Christian nurture independently of their
parents’ participation in the church;
- to advocate for the integrity of childhood and the
dignity of all children at every level of our religious, civic, and
political structures.
Ministry of
the Child
A
child shall lead them--- Isaiah 11:6
THE
CHURCH IS CALLED:
- to
receive children’s special gifts as signs of the Reign of god;
- to
foster community beyond the family unit, in which children, youth, and
adults know each other by name, minister to each other, and are
partners together in serving Christ in the world ;
- to
appreciate children’s abilities and readiness to represent Christ and
his church, to bear witness to him wherever they may be, and according
to gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of peace and love in the world, and to
take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the church.
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