A Children’s ministry organization warned pastors and church leaders that churches are standing on a “burning platform” if they don’t disciple children.
Children’s Ministry Organization
Matt Markins, head of the children discipleship organization Awana, has a warning for church leaders and pastors. He warned that if a church ignores the discipleship of children under 13-years-old, then those children might leave their faith when they get older.
Children must have at least one adult in their church that cares for and loves them to build a strong foundation of faith in them.
“If you cultivate a culture at your church where kids are known, loved, and cared for by other loving, caring adults who are engaging with them, you’re going to … develop children who become teenagers, students, and young adults who have lasting faith,” Matt said in an interview.
Matt Markins
He also emphasized that “we’re standing on a ‘burning platform’ if churches keep doing children’s ministry as we’ve been doing it the last couple of decades.”
“If we continue to look at children’s ministry only through the lens of entertainment and attractional — how do we bring more people to our church — we’re not going to form them prior to the age of 13 to be resilient disciples in a post-Christian culture,” he said.
Matt then called every church to build a pathway to a better future for the children. It can be done by starting and investing in the discipleship of these children.
“We want to build a pathway to a better future. But if we don’t make the decision to move in that direction, at some point the Church in the West is going to realize we’re standing on a burning platform. And we’ve got to move toward formational or discipleship ministry with children.”
Read also: STEPH CURRY TALKS ABOUT PARENTING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE TO HIS FAMILY
Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!
Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now on Google Play and Appstore
Reference: The Christian Post