From the Capitol: Generational leadership in children’s ministry

Mike Griffin

We need our churches to challenge and encourage their children to become godly leaders wherever God calls them, including in government.”

Last month, on July 7, I had a great time representing Georgia Baptists and being with the “Level Up Leadership” group from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bowman, Ga.

We had an awesome time touring the Georgia State Capitol! These 4th and 5th Graders learned about Georgia’s government, leadership, and how faith and public service can work hand in hand. I am so thankful and blessed for Denise Pritchett's leadership with the children's ministry at their church! 

We need our churches to challenge and encourage their children to become godly leaders wherever God calls them, including in government, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is doing just that. 

Thanks to pastors like Chris Pritchett for his leadership in the next generation! This church is definitely focusing on the priority of children’s ministry in the same way Jesus did when He was here.

There is no doubt that when it comes to the importance and the priority of children’s ministry, there are a lot of places and people we could go to for advice and opinions. But if we really want to settle the issue finally, I would go to none other than Jesus.

Jesus’ actions and attitude in Mark 10:13-16 settle the issue for all time as to how He feels about children’s ministry. As we look at this passage, a number of things need to be called to our attention.

The first thing we see is the context of the story (vv. 1-2). The whole context of this passage has to do with the Pharisees bringing up the subject of divorce. And as usual, the Pharisees weren’t interested in truth as much as they were trying to trip Jesus up on His answers. 

The next thing we know is that in verse 10 we find Jesus still talking about divorce, but now it is the disciples who are keeping the conversation going. So, Jesus continues in verses 11-12, and you have some of the context of the story.

Next, we see the parents’ belief in Jesus (v. 13a): “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them:…”

For all practical purposes, “they” most likely refers to the parents. These parents saw something in Jesus that even the disciples had not noticed. Why would they bring their children to Jesus if they didn’t believe that He would want them to? (That’s even true today!)

• Could it have been something Jesus had said that conveyed this to them?
• Could it have been something that Jesus had done that conveyed this to them?
• Could it have been something that the parents themselves had experienced from Jesus personally that had conveyed this to them?

Whatever it was, it was enough to cause them to assume Jesus would have wanted them there. These parents believed and trusted Jesus.

Then, we see the children’s willingness to come to Jesus (v. 13a, 16): “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them:… And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

I think this is often overlooked. Think about it for a moment. How do your children respond when you announce to them that they are going to the doctor to get a shot? Or to the dentist to get their teeth worked on? Or to any place or person that is perceived by the child to be a negative experience? 

The point here is plain and simple. Jesus attracts children! There is no record of any drinks, cookies, or candy! Jesus was just all these kids wanted! So, we see the children’s willingness to simply come to Jesus.

Next, we see the disciples’ grievous error (v. 13b): “…and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.”

The disciples made a terrible mistake, assuming that when given the choice, Jesus would choose teaching on divorce over ministry to children. Were they ever wrong!

The scriptures reveal that not only did Jesus disagree with their assessment but that He “saw it with much displeasure.” You see, the disciples made the mistake of thinking that Jesus would see the parents with their children as an interruption, as an intrusion, and as a nuisance.

So, the disciples “rebuked the parents.” They rebuked the parents as if to say, “How dare you think that children are more important than adults and adult conversation?” The disciples made a very grievous error in their judgment.

Then we have the Savior’s reaction to the rebuke (vv. 14-15): “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

What a shock this must have been to the disciples! They had totally misjudged how Jesus saw the situation. The Bible records that Jesus not only disagreed with the disciples’ assessment but that He (as some translations put it) became “indignant.” Jesus was very angry!

There is only one other time recorded in the gospels when Jesus became “angry,” and it was when He ran the money changers out of the temple in Luke 19:45-48. Just think about it. Jesus is responding to His disciples more like He would have responded to the Pharisees.

To put it mildly: Jesus was upset about how these parents and especially how the children had been treated. I don’t know about you, but I would have never forgotten that day as a disciple. I would never have objected to children coming to Jesus again.

What was Jesus trying to say to us (even today) about the ministry to children?

First, Jesus is saying that children are important to Him. (Think about this for a moment.) Jesus believed this so much that He pushed ministry to the adults aside (ex., disciples) when it was necessary for Him to reach out to the children. Jesus thought this type of ministry was so important that He was willing to make it not just prominent but a priority.

Second, Jesus is saying that children are people, too. For example: Close your eyes and say the word people. What first comes to your mind? Adults? Or both adults and children? You see, many times our world as adults excludes children. We can be as guilty as the disciples.

Jesus loved the children that day because of who they were right then. Not because of what they would be. We, too, must value children for their present value and not just their future. Jesus did not say, “Let them come unto me for their future.” Jesus said let them come for now. They are what the Kingdom of God is all about in the present, not just the future. (Note Matthew 18:1-6.)

Third, Jesus is saying that children are to have priority in the local church. For too long the church has held views of children and children’s ministry that are either inadequate or just wrong.

Such views as:

• “Children are always a bother.” - We begin to think of what all we could do as a church if we didn’t have so many kids.
• “Children are just a tool.” - While this view is true, it’s not all that is true! (Children can be used to reach adults) With this attitude, the children’s ministry will always fall short of its potential! Children’s ministry is not just a “means,” but it is an “end” as well!
• “Children are our future church.” - Here again, this view is not false. It is just inadequate. You see, children can already witness the gospel, serve in ministry to the church, home, and community. Help in missions both through prayer and going. Children can and are already the church!

“Vladimir Belous was a pastor in Ukraine during the years of Soviet rule. He learned of the importance of children’s ministry from Communist propaganda. One day, he saw a flyer that essentially said, ‘The real danger from America is not their missiles, but that they are teaching their children about God.’ The pamphlet went on to describe (in a very derogatory manner) the efforts in the United States churches to train their children, and to warn the people of the Soviet Union not to allow such contamination in their country, or the future of communism would be in doubt. Pastor Belous knew at once that children’s ministry was essential to his church if it was to survive into the future. Out of this conviction came an openness to establish children’s ministry, and his church became the beachhead for launching the Awana Club ministry in Ukraine.” - From author, Larry Fowler, Rock-Solid Kids, 2004

And so, there you have it. A Biblical premise for the priority of children’s ministry. It can change a country. And it’s all based on Jesus’ perspective.

Please let me know if your church's children's or youth ministry would like to tour with me at the Capitol and learn about God’s role in government too.

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Mike Griffin is the Public Affairs Representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.