in Lynn's absence this month, Betty Keyte has submitted this review of 'Children in Renewal' a book by Church Army Evangelist Alan Price.
"The ship had been sailing for months across the open seas. The Captain was good at his job and kept a tight, happy ship. Everyone was content. The crew got on with their various tasks efficiently, and the passengers enjoyed their care and the pleasures of the voyage.
"A welcome sight was another ship travelling in the same waters. From one such vessel a small boat was launched and a visitor received. 'Where are you heading for?' the visitor enquired. 'We're going this way,' the captain replied. 'But where are you heading - what is your destination?' said the visitor, a little puzzled. 'Well, we're just heading in this sort of direction,' the Captain said.
"'As long as the passengers are happy, and we're doing our job, everything will be fine! If we had a definite destination, we might not get there, or we might go the wrong way. Then people would be disappointed, so we just keep everything running nicely, just sailing in this direction!'"
Ministry
This simple story is a typical example of the light-hearted but thought-provoking examples used in Alan Price's book Children in Renewal to describe the ways in which much of ministry to children and young people is approached in the Church today.
Alan Price has been a Church Army Evangelist for 22 years, and works as a children's evangelist with the Teknon Trust, an organisation set up in 1994 to encourage children and young people to experience more of God's love through ministry in the Holy Spirit. Statistics show that at present in the UK, less than 15% of children under 15 years of age are involved in church-related activities on Sunday. Alan poses the questions as to how we can draw children into the Church, effectively teaching them and releasing their potential.
Children in Renewal begins with a clear picture of how God worked through various Biblical characters, then outlines parallels using contemporary examples. Alan's frank approach, and well-informed views, help to point out ways in which the Church on the whole has failed to respond appropriately to the needs of children.
He writes, "Repeatedly I have found that the biggest obstacle to children's ministry in the local church is the attitude of adult members. If many ministers are so preoccupied by the adult ministry that they are only too glad that 'someone is doing it' many more adult members display an unloving and unsympathetic attitude to children."
Practical
The book challenges the reader to examine closely all aspects of work with children, and gives clear guidelines with practical input. With a wealth of experience on the subject, Alan leads the reader to take positive action and set clear goals for their own situation. "My desire is to stimulate a process in which careful thought is given for the place of the ministry of children, in addition to the ministry to children," writes Alan.
"Children need to be taught not just about the theory but about the practice of living in the Spirit. That, of course, is where much of our children's ministry is weak. We teach children the truths of the gospel (the words of Jesus), but do not lead them into doing the deeds of the gospel (the works of Jesus). My appeal, therefore, is for the balance to be regained," says Alan.
Understanding
Using remarkable stories, the book details how children can be encouraged to use spiritual gifts and promotes an understanding of the way in which children, as well as adults, grow in their faith as they learn and develop.
"When someone responds to the gospel message," says Alan, "it does not matter whether it is the first or the twentyfirst time they have done so! Rather than being concerned about when a person has become a Christian it would seem more appropriate to talk of a person (a child or an adult) becoming more Christian with each step of response."
He writes, "While training as a Church Army Evangelist, I remember being told, 'I can only give as much as I know of myself to as much as I know of God.' As I grow and live my life, both these dynamics change; there is, therefore, always more of me to give to the more I learn of Him.
"My working 'definition' of the spiritual status of children is... all children begin with God, but unless an effective evangelistic or nurturing influence comes to bear on a child, he or she will move steadily away from God.... It is a belongingness that may become rebellion. The desire to nurture that belonging, and to avoid that rebellion, propels us to urgent teaching and evangelism."
Journey
"It is teaching-evangelism, or evangelistic teaching, which is the appropriate way, to enable children to come back to God as and when they stray, and to keep going on the journey. Children cannot respond to a God they do not know, or even know about." explains Alan.
Alan discusses the importance of all-age worship, and gives helpful and practical advice to the reader on providing opportunities for children and young people to participate in this vital part of church life. A helpful appendix, put together with the help of Church Army colleagues, provides helpful information on dealing with children at various stages in their growth and development.
Children in Renewal is an easy-to-read, practical resource for any leader eager to know how to give the best, and to receive the best from their children. "God uses kids," says Alan. "Discipleship begins as soon as we begin to follow Jesus, not just when we are adults. God wants us to equip every Christian for the tasks He has planned for us, so that God's family, the Church, can be all that God wants it to be (see Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1-16)."
"When a child has begun to experience God's power, then it is time to use it - to be useful to Father God."
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