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by Dr. Susan D. Finley
Children are important members of the family of God, and are an important part of the community of faith. In fact, children who are nurtured and cherished as important members of the community of faith before they have made a personal profession of faith will be more likely to take that step during their faith journey. The community of faith must recognize its initial responsibility to share accountability with children's parents and primary caregivers in meeting the basic needs of children, as well as its subsequent responsibilities of loving and accepting children, and of welcoming children as valuable members of the faith community. The community of faith that is able to embrace its children in these crucial ways will help the children to grow in their knowledge, awareness and personal conviction of God's love.
In most Baptist congregations, Sunday school, Children's Choirs and Missions have been the primary opportunities available to children. Beyond these programs, children were essentially ignored in the other areas of church life that did not utilize a specific, age-graded curriculum. Consequently, it is the desire of this author that we move beyond the limitations of the age-graded curricula by increasing the involvement of children in the worship and fellowship of the church. It is a desire that our children feel a sense of belonging to their community of faith, even before their conversion experience.
Journey with a Baptist congregation as it discovers the importance of children in the church by utilizing a program that may benefit your church as well, regardless of denomination.
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