The church will go nowhere but into oblivion if it ministers to children only as a survival strategy.

In Psalm 27 we are told that children ‘are a heritage from the Lord’. They are the most precious gift that anyone can receive and they should always be treasured and regarded as the Lord’s gracious gifting.  They should receive the fullness of parental love, care and nurture, and above all, protection from harm. The Lord’s gift to us should never be abused or ignored.
Have you ever considered that we don’t need any training, and there are no exams and licences available for the most responsible task we can ever take up as adults, that is to be parents? Compare this with the State’s demand that we never drive a car without doing a test and receiving a licence.
Of course, the best training we can receive is from our own parents and grandparents.
Many people even without this benefit turn out to make a very good job of being parents. They are honoured, loved and thanked by their children for all that they contributed to their growth into adulthood. Unfortunately there are other people who make a bad fist of their parental role, and they create dysfunctional families, and earn their children’s rejection and dislike.
Christian parents know from the Bible’s teaching that there is one essential for them – they should bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Christian children are told that they should honour their parents in the Lord, and are reminded that this is the first commandment with a promise – that is ‘that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth’.
So often in the church, people talk about children being either a key to the survival of the church – ‘statistics show the church is greying, so we must reach children and youth to guarantee survival’ – or a way for clergy and church workers to connect with their parents – ‘organise a children’s or family programme and you will get to their parents’.
Both of these statements contain strong elements of realism. We would make a great mistake if we didn’t regard them.
However, the church will go nowhere but into oblivion if it concentrates solely on an older demographic – the grey power – while ministering to children only as a survival strategy.
Likewise, there is no doubt that many parents will follow their children’s interests and show their own response and appreciation of any person or group who indicate a welcoming interest in their children, so they will come to church if there is a good children’s programme in operation.
But, at the same time the statements above miss the real and essential reason why there should always be an effective children’s programme in every congregation.
It is this. Children are not merely the future – they are inherently valuable persons at every stage. So mission to children is essential to bring them to faith in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, and to nurture them in the knowledge of God and the Bible.
This will assist them in their turn to be, and to become, faithful witnesses to Christ and to live out the commands of his word in their own lives and in their families.
So effective children’s ministry is not a survival strategy, or a strategy to reach parents. It is to bring today’s children to faith in Christ as Saviour.
Clearly I regard ministry to children as a vital key to any achievement of the objectives of our Diocesan Mission.
I trust that a children’s ministry and mission programme – one that is Bible-based, bright, attractive, creative and inviting –  is a key priority in every parish strategy.
The resources, both human and educational, of Anglican Youthworks, GFS and CEBS are purposely and carefully planned to assist parishes in mission, with children at the heart of their goals. They are only too ready to help.
‘Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”’