Are we talking about the systems of the past? Systems of the present? Or the systems we need to build the disciples who will lead the church of 2050? 

Are we programming for the immediate, or prioritizing for the future?

As child disciple-makers, we need to step back and ask ourselves, “Is our current strategy and philosophy going to nurture and influence resilient disciples who will lead the church in the year 2050?”

As child disciple-makers, we need to step back and ask ourselves, “Is our current strategy and philosophy going to nurture and influence resilient disciples who will lead the church in the year 2050?”

This is why, though parents are important, even primary, in the spiritual direction and discipleship of their children, they are not “only” or even enough. Children may grow in the soil of their parents’ faith, but they need light and air and more.

Why is it that some kids experience adverse conditions, yet they get back up?

You are more important than you know. These children are growing up and soon will forget your name. But when they think of God’s love . . . to them it looks a lot like you. 

Today’s church kids are growing up in both a secular and church culture which is unlike the cultures in which most adults grew up. More importantly, the culture kids are experiencing is unlike the ones that are to come.

The question, “Did you have fun?” is not a terrible question. It’s just not the most important or the final question.

The #1 outcome in predicting whether a child is going to do well is not education, it’s not money, and it’s not home. It’s whether or not they have an adult to put their arm around their shoulders and say, “I’ll walk this walk with you.”

Dear child, You are little for such a short time. But, when you grow up and think back on your childhood, we hope some of your earliest memories are about us, the church.

You and I have a vision for what we want the church to be, but is it possible to predict […]