Theology of Kids & Family Ministries
Adapted from Kara Stromberg, Superintendent of the Northwest Conference of the ECC
Children bear the image of God. Genesis 1:26-27 gives a clear theology that humankind was created in the image of God. We have an ethical and biblical responsibility to respect, love and care for children simply because of who they are. In all our interactions with children, we remember that they are God’s beautiful, treasured, and holy creation, who bear the mark of our creator.
Children are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. In Genesis 1:28, as God’s crowning touch on creation, God instructed humankind to be fruitful and multiply. In Psalm 127:3, Solomon reminds us that “children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from him.” Truly a gift from God himself and bestowed out of God’s great and lavish bounty, children are to be cherished because they are an expression of God’s abundant generosity, and are an inclusion in the ongoing story of God’s redeeming work. I John 3:1 states “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”
Parents are to pass on faith to their children. Just as we are born into a family and thus into God’s story, God created the institution of the family with the intent that parents would pass on faith to their children. We are instructed in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. These commandments are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children, talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Ephesians 6:4 emphasizes that parents are to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. The family unit is primarily where the legacy of faith is passed from generation to generation.
The whole church bears responsibility for children and families as they become fully devoted followers of Christ. Similar to the Apostle Paul mentoring and investing in Timothy, his “spiritual son,” (I Timothy 1:2), the entire church body is involved in equipping children and families to live into all that God calls them to be. The church community shares the burden of raising up godly children and helping parents bring faith into the home. Here, the acts of baptism and dedication are vital. To invite parents to bring their children for baptism and dedication is to ask them to believe that their kids don’t belong just to them, they belong first to God, then to the community - not just the community at this place and time, but the timeless community that represents all of God’s people. It is an invitation to mold and shape that child in the ways that represent being a follower of Jesus. The church is concerned for children in the congregation, in the community and around the world.
Children model faith formation for the community of believers. Children’s neediness, dependence and unfiltered curiosity is a beautiful inspiration for those who follow Christ. As Christ-followers pursue faith that is utterly dependent upon our ability to receive a lavish and unearned gift, we look to the example of children. Jesus himself said in Mark 10:13-16, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” That Jesus came as a helpless baby is a model for this, as was foretold in Isaiah 11:6, “...and a little child shall lead them.” This idea can be difficult for adults to grasp, as it is curious and counter-cultural, but we would do well to focus on the simplicity with which children love and trust Jesus as an inspiration for our own faith journeys.
Ultimately, we entrust the spiritual formation of children and families to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Children’s faith formation is fundamentally about nurturing their relationships with God. We are mindful and attentive to the Spirit’s work so we can be a part of it, and so we may help foster environments where children and families can freely encounter the living God who desires transformation. God desires that all would be saved and understand the truth (I Timothy 2:4), so knowing that God is actively pursuing his creation, we are mindful to step back and encourage children to encounter God face to face. We are encouraged by Paul’s confidence in writing to the church in Philippi, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
