Comments on: A Metaphor from a less than 600 Pound Gorilla http://pivotpointministries.org/unfiled/a-metaphor-from-a-less-than-600-pound-gorilla/ Supporting Those in Transition Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:05:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Michelle http://pivotpointministries.org/unfiled/a-metaphor-from-a-less-than-600-pound-gorilla/#comment-4272 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:15:29 +0000 http://pivotpointministries.org/unfiled/a-metaphor-from-a-less-than-600-pound-gorilla/#comment-4272 Very interesting! My first thought was towards how in our attempt to help parents "teach the faith" to their children, we (the church) have become the primary teachers. In our effort "to help", we have not. I do not believe God ever intended for others to take over the responsibility, He has given to parents. The family is the best place to nurture our children's faith. I believe the church has a role in helping families and to provide assistance and encouragement. The challenge becomes the generations of families where faith has not been a central focus at home. Parents were not a part of the process, for different reasons. Each year at our church I see a new confirmation class, with young people and parents, I do not know. After confirmation, we see them occasionally. There are churches where family ministry, parent education, and they provide necessary resources to help parents take on the primary role of Christian educator. Sadly, it is not every church. As a Christian educator who is now a volunteer...it is a challenge to watch and not jump in and try and fix it. Our church is going through some major transitions and our hope is to become more intentional in involving the parents. I will be interested in seeing how others respond to this story. Michelle Very interesting! My first thought was towards how in our attempt to help parents “teach the faith” to their children, we (the church) have become the primary teachers.

In our effort “to help”, we have not. I do not believe God ever intended for others to take over the responsibility, He has given to parents.

The family is the best place to nurture our children’s faith. I believe the church has a role in helping families and to provide assistance and encouragement.

The challenge becomes the generations of families where faith has not been a central focus at home. Parents were not a part of the process, for different reasons.

Each year at our church I see a new confirmation class, with young people and parents, I do not know. After confirmation, we see them occasionally.

There are churches where family ministry, parent education, and they provide necessary resources to help parents take on the primary role of Christian educator. Sadly, it is not every church.

As a Christian educator who is now a volunteer…it is a challenge to watch and not jump in and try and fix it. Our church is going through some major transitions and our hope is to become more intentional in involving the parents.

I will be interested in seeing how others respond to this story.

Michelle

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