It was just about this time of year 22
years ago. We had just moved to Bedford
to start what would eventually become Cornerstone and I had to fly to Colorado
to attend what was called “Church Planters Boot Camp”, an intensive week long
training session that included men and women from around North America.
years ago. We had just moved to Bedford
to start what would eventually become Cornerstone and I had to fly to Colorado
to attend what was called “Church Planters Boot Camp”, an intensive week long
training session that included men and women from around North America.
And part of the process was each church
planter was assigned a coach who would work with them through the week and
would provide additional coaching as needed.
My coach was a man named Jim Griffith, who had two things going for him,
he had planted 5 churches up to that point and more importantly he looked like
Tim Taylor who was riding high with “Home Improvement” at the time.
planter was assigned a coach who would work with them through the week and
would provide additional coaching as needed.
My coach was a man named Jim Griffith, who had two things going for him,
he had planted 5 churches up to that point and more importantly he looked like
Tim Taylor who was riding high with “Home Improvement” at the time.
Because of my experience with Jim as a
coach we had the opportunity to bring him to the district a few of years later
to talk to church planters and re-planters.
I remember that because it happened during the Ice Storm of 1998 and it
was a crazy drive to the conference and because of two things that Jim told us
at that conference.
coach we had the opportunity to bring him to the district a few of years later
to talk to church planters and re-planters.
I remember that because it happened during the Ice Storm of 1998 and it
was a crazy drive to the conference and because of two things that Jim told us
at that conference.
The first thing Jim told us was “There are
three ways to measure a person’s commitment to the vision, money, money and
money.” As a matter of fact, Jim said
that when someone told you how committed they were to what you were trying to
accomplish you had to quote the phrase from the movie Jerry Maguire, “Show me
the money”.
three ways to measure a person’s commitment to the vision, money, money and
money.” As a matter of fact, Jim said
that when someone told you how committed they were to what you were trying to
accomplish you had to quote the phrase from the movie Jerry Maguire, “Show me
the money”.
Not everybody will agree with that.
The second thing he taught us has proved
invaluable through the years, he said “The person who will decide to come to
your church the first time will be the wife, those who will decide to come back
will be the children.”
invaluable through the years, he said “The person who will decide to come to
your church the first time will be the wife, those who will decide to come back
will be the children.”
Now I know that is a generalization and
that all generalizations are wrong but bear with me.
that all generalizations are wrong but bear with me.
He went on to say that if we were asked to
meet with a family that we should go as a couple. He said that the two guys could talk about
anything, sports, hunting it really didn’t matter. But the women would talk about the new
church.
meet with a family that we should go as a couple. He said that the two guys could talk about
anything, sports, hunting it really didn’t matter. But the women would talk about the new
church.
And we would do that, I would talk to the
husband and Angela would talk to the wife and it would work. I can imagine the conversation after words, she
would say “Well, honey what did you think?”
and he would say “He’s an idiot, doesn’t
know anything about sports or hunting and he’s a Habs fan.” And she’d say “Angela
told me what their church is like and it sounds amazing, I think we should go
this Sunday.” And they would.
husband and Angela would talk to the wife and it would work. I can imagine the conversation after words, she
would say “Well, honey what did you think?”
and he would say “He’s an idiot, doesn’t
know anything about sports or hunting and he’s a Habs fan.” And she’d say “Angela
told me what their church is like and it sounds amazing, I think we should go
this Sunday.” And they would.
And the second part of the equation was
equally true. We have discovered that
life is too short to fight with kids about whether or not they wanted to go to
church.
equally true. We have discovered that
life is too short to fight with kids about whether or not they wanted to go to
church.
When you and I were growing up, kids were
expected to be seen and not heard, to a certain degree. We certainly didn’t have an opinion on things
like where we would go to church.
expected to be seen and not heard, to a certain degree. We certainly didn’t have an opinion on things
like where we would go to church.
But life has changed and the reality is
that children often make those choices, or at least have a voice in the
decision making process.
that children often make those choices, or at least have a voice in the
decision making process.
And
we have embraced Jim’s advice.
we have embraced Jim’s advice.
From the beginning Cornerstone has tried to
offer a top notch kids program, and it has cost us time and it has cost us
money and it has meant that we have to constantly recruit the very best
volunteer base that we can. That was
true when we had to find eight out of the sixty who called Cornerstone their
church home and it is equally true today when we have to find eighty out of the
four hundred who call Cornerstone their church home.
offer a top notch kids program, and it has cost us time and it has cost us
money and it has meant that we have to constantly recruit the very best
volunteer base that we can. That was
true when we had to find eight out of the sixty who called Cornerstone their
church home and it is equally true today when we have to find eighty out of the
four hundred who call Cornerstone their church home.
And so for the first twelve years of our
existence Angela headed up our children’s ministry, you seeing a theme here? She
also played piano and led worship and led our women’s ministry for the majority
of those years. A well trained monkey
could have done my job, but without Angela there would have been no
Cornerstone.
existence Angela headed up our children’s ministry, you seeing a theme here? She
also played piano and led worship and led our women’s ministry for the majority
of those years. A well trained monkey
could have done my job, but without Angela there would have been no
Cornerstone.
For the past 8 years Marilyn has led the
children’s ministry team. And our
children’s ministry is still a major priority at Cornerstone, in time, effort,
money and volunteer commitment.
children’s ministry team. And our
children’s ministry is still a major priority at Cornerstone, in time, effort,
money and volunteer commitment.
And the passage that was read this morning
explains it even more than Jim Griffith’s words do.
explains it even more than Jim Griffith’s words do.
We are in the closing chapter of the story
of Jesus’s ministry. He is making his
last journey to Jerusalem. A journey
that will ultimately end with him nailed to a cross.
of Jesus’s ministry. He is making his
last journey to Jerusalem. A journey
that will ultimately end with him nailed to a cross.
And as he makes his way to Jerusalem he
continues to teach and impact the lives of the those around him. And we pick up the story in Mark 10:13 One day some parents brought
their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples
scolded the parents for bothering him.
continues to teach and impact the lives of the those around him. And we pick up the story in Mark 10:13 One day some parents brought
their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples
scolded the parents for bothering him.
We’ve all seen the paintings and pictures
and there are a couple of problems with those.
The first is where did the Swedish kids come from? Seriously.
The second problem with the picture is the age of the kids, you see the
word that all three of the gospel accounts used for children actually refers to
infants.
and there are a couple of problems with those.
The first is where did the Swedish kids come from? Seriously.
The second problem with the picture is the age of the kids, you see the
word that all three of the gospel accounts used for children actually refers to
infants.
So this was kind of the equivalent of
having your baby dedicated. And we don’t know why these parents wanted Jesus to
bless their children. Perhaps they had
witnessed some of Jesus’ miracles. Maybe
they had seen Jesus heal the sick and figured that an ounce of prevention would
be worth a pound of cure. Kind of like
having your children vaccinated.
having your baby dedicated. And we don’t know why these parents wanted Jesus to
bless their children. Perhaps they had
witnessed some of Jesus’ miracles. Maybe
they had seen Jesus heal the sick and figured that an ounce of prevention would
be worth a pound of cure. Kind of like
having your children vaccinated.
Or maybe they truly saw Jesus as God’s son
and were looking for a spiritual touch from him, or maybe they were dedicating
their children to him.
and were looking for a spiritual touch from him, or maybe they were dedicating
their children to him.
Or maybe they just wanted their children to
be touched by someone famous. The reason
people let politicians kiss their babies.
be touched by someone famous. The reason
people let politicians kiss their babies.
We don’t know the reasons, but we know that
the disciples weren’t having anything to do with it and the bible tells us they
scolded the parents for bothering Jesus.
the disciples weren’t having anything to do with it and the bible tells us they
scolded the parents for bothering Jesus.
And I know the guys get a lot of grief over
this, but let’s cut them some slack.
Everyone is a little tense heading to Jerusalem. Jesus knows that the end is close and while the
12 may not have known the details they knew that something big was up.
this, but let’s cut them some slack.
Everyone is a little tense heading to Jerusalem. Jesus knows that the end is close and while the
12 may not have known the details they knew that something big was up.
And with the pressure of time they probably
saw this as one more interruption that they didn’t need.
saw this as one more interruption that they didn’t need.
I would suspect that if the parents had of
been bringing sick kids to Jesus there wouldn’t have been a problem. Sometimes
we are quick to elevate the physical needs of our children above the spiritual
needs. I have more people ask me to pray
for their kids’ physical needs then I have people ask me to pray for their
kids’ spiritual needs. Just saying.
been bringing sick kids to Jesus there wouldn’t have been a problem. Sometimes
we are quick to elevate the physical needs of our children above the spiritual
needs. I have more people ask me to pray
for their kids’ physical needs then I have people ask me to pray for their
kids’ spiritual needs. Just saying.
Let’s keep reading in the story. Mark 10:14 When Jesus
saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
It’s not often that we see Jesus getting
angry, other translations say that he was greatly displeased or indignant but
you get the picture, he wasn’t a happy camper.
And he told the disciple to do two things here. 1) to let the children come and 2) to not to
do anything to stop them.
angry, other translations say that he was greatly displeased or indignant but
you get the picture, he wasn’t a happy camper.
And he told the disciple to do two things here. 1) to let the children come and 2) to not to
do anything to stop them.
So what do we learn from the story? Why do we need to go out of our way to insure
that the children will come to Jesus?
that the children will come to Jesus?
The first thing is we need to realize that It is Important for our Children and the Children
of Others
of Others
As Christian parents we have the primary
responsibly for introducing our kids to Jesus.
It’s not Deborah’s job in the nursery, or Marilyn’s Job in Cornerstone
Kids, or Stefan’s job in Consumed. It’s
your job.
responsibly for introducing our kids to Jesus.
It’s not Deborah’s job in the nursery, or Marilyn’s Job in Cornerstone
Kids, or Stefan’s job in Consumed. It’s
your job.
And maybe you think that it’s best to allow
them to make that decision without you, or to wait until they are older.
them to make that decision without you, or to wait until they are older.
Seriously?
We don’t let our kids decide if they will go to the dentist, or when
they will go to school or to the Doctor.
We don’t let our kids decide if they will go to the dentist, or when
they will go to school or to the Doctor.
It was Frank Sonnenberg who wrote “If you don’t pass your values on to your kids, someone
else will.”
else will.”
And Lenin said
“Give me four years to teach
the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”
“Give me four years to teach
the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”
You have the primary responsibility to
introduce your children to God, but we want to be here to help and to help with
the journey. And we need your help, not
just with your children but with the children of others.
introduce your children to God, but we want to be here to help and to help with
the journey. And we need your help, not
just with your children but with the children of others.
It’s easy to be passionate about what our
kids are being taught but our responsibility has to go beyond just our kids.
kids are being taught but our responsibility has to go beyond just our kids.
Sometimes we have parents who will be
willing to serve in Nursery, Children’s Church, Junior Church, Ignite or
Consumed, that’s our youth ministry, as long as their children are part of the
program. But it can’t just be about your
kids, there are other children as well who need to hear the story. Other kids who need to come to Jesus.
willing to serve in Nursery, Children’s Church, Junior Church, Ignite or
Consumed, that’s our youth ministry, as long as their children are part of the
program. But it can’t just be about your
kids, there are other children as well who need to hear the story. Other kids who need to come to Jesus.
And it takes special people to reach
them. You understand that not everybody at Cornerstone
can teach children. There is a process,
and that is why we don’t advertise that we need volunteers. Because we aren’t looking for warm bodies we
are looking for ministry partners.
them. You understand that not everybody at Cornerstone
can teach children. There is a process,
and that is why we don’t advertise that we need volunteers. Because we aren’t looking for warm bodies we
are looking for ministry partners.
Before someone is asked to teach we discuss
your possibility as a staff, then a personal invitation is extended, there is
an interview, there are references to be checked and training that has to
happen. Police forms are filled out and
checked. Why? Because this is important.
your possibility as a staff, then a personal invitation is extended, there is
an interview, there are references to be checked and training that has to
happen. Police forms are filled out and
checked. Why? Because this is important.
We were in a church on vacation once and
part way through the service the pastor announced that so and so was going to
take the children out to children’s church.
A half a dozen kids got up to go out but so and so wasn’t there. And so the pastor says “Is there anyone who
can take the children out?”
part way through the service the pastor announced that so and so was going to
take the children out to children’s church.
A half a dozen kids got up to go out but so and so wasn’t there. And so the pastor says “Is there anyone who
can take the children out?”
And nobody responded. Now we knew the pastor so Angela volunteered
and the children were sent off with a lady who had been in that church six
times in her life. That will never
happen under my watch at Cornerstone.
and the children were sent off with a lady who had been in that church six
times in her life. That will never
happen under my watch at Cornerstone.
But the question is still; why is it so
important? Because Jesus
said “Let the
children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
important? Because Jesus
said “Let the
children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
It’s
Important for the Church’s Future
Important for the Church’s Future
The church is always one generation away
from extinction. We attend churches
while we are on vacation. And more times
than not they are small churches, because I remember pastoring a small church
and how encouraging it was to have visitors.
from extinction. We attend churches
while we are on vacation. And more times
than not they are small churches, because I remember pastoring a small church
and how encouraging it was to have visitors.
Just as an aside, do you visit churches
while you are on vacation? Or do you
take a vacation from God as well? Seriously there are all kinds of churches out
there and most of the people who go to them don’t bite. Or at least don’t bite strangers.
while you are on vacation? Or do you
take a vacation from God as well? Seriously there are all kinds of churches out
there and most of the people who go to them don’t bite. Or at least don’t bite strangers.
There is a message about the importance or
lack of importance of corporate worship that you are teaching your children. That was an aside.
lack of importance of corporate worship that you are teaching your children. That was an aside.
But all of those small churches were
lacking one thing, children. Oh there
might have been one or two but primarily they were churches full of old people,
and we’ve been back to visit some of those churches only to discover them
closed.
lacking one thing, children. Oh there
might have been one or two but primarily they were churches full of old people,
and we’ve been back to visit some of those churches only to discover them
closed.
And they weren’t always like that, if you
look around the churches, which I sometimes do, you’ll see classrooms and toys
and posters that remind you of a different time. But that was then, and they didn’t reach out
to families with children and what holds true for local churches holds true for
denominations and for the church as a whole.
look around the churches, which I sometimes do, you’ll see classrooms and toys
and posters that remind you of a different time. But that was then, and they didn’t reach out
to families with children and what holds true for local churches holds true for
denominations and for the church as a whole.
Our city is full of empty churches that were
once full of families and children.
once full of families and children.
If we don’t reach the next generation,
there will be no future for the church.
Throughout the book of Acts in the record of the early church it talks
about whole households coming to faith. And
in Paul’s letters he addresses both parents and children.
there will be no future for the church.
Throughout the book of Acts in the record of the early church it talks
about whole households coming to faith. And
in Paul’s letters he addresses both parents and children.
Why was reaching children important to the
early church? Because they understood
that Jesus said “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
early church? Because they understood
that Jesus said “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
But It’s not just the future of the church,
It’s
Important for Our Children’s Future
Important for Our Children’s Future
If we believe what we say we believe about
there being a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned then reaching
children should have an eternal importance.
there being a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned then reaching
children should have an eternal importance.
We are not just teaching your kids bible
stories and morals; we are leading them toward a relationship with Jesus. Why because we think it important that they
go to heaven and not go to hell. And it should be important to you as well.
stories and morals; we are leading them toward a relationship with Jesus. Why because we think it important that they
go to heaven and not go to hell. And it should be important to you as well.
When you see the teens who are baptized at
Cornerstone, they are often teens who have been brought up at Cornerstone,
brought up being taught and led toward that relationship.
Cornerstone, they are often teens who have been brought up at Cornerstone,
brought up being taught and led toward that relationship.
Jesus said in John
14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I understand that Church isn’t the only
thing in your family’s life, and I understand that church activities aren’t the
only activities that you have your kids involved in.
thing in your family’s life, and I understand that church activities aren’t the
only activities that you have your kids involved in.
But listen carefully, their eternity won’t
be determined by how high they can jump in basketball, how fast they can skate
in hockey, how many flips they can do in cheer or how goods their marks are in
school. Their eternity will be
determined by whether or not they know Jesus.
And while you can’t make that decision for them you can do everything in
your power to make sure they have every opportunity to make that decision for
themselves.
be determined by how high they can jump in basketball, how fast they can skate
in hockey, how many flips they can do in cheer or how goods their marks are in
school. Their eternity will be
determined by whether or not they know Jesus.
And while you can’t make that decision for them you can do everything in
your power to make sure they have every opportunity to make that decision for
themselves.
Remember what the bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the
right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
They will need to make their own decision,
but we are responsible for directing them unto the right path to start
with. Why? Because Jesus said “Let the children
come to me. Don’t stop them!”
but we are responsible for directing them unto the right path to start
with. Why? Because Jesus said “Let the children
come to me. Don’t stop them!”
But it’s not just because for the church’s
future or the future of our children. L
future or the future of our children. L
Psalm
112:1-2 Praise the LORD! How joyful are those
who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children
will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be
blessed.
112:1-2 Praise the LORD! How joyful are those
who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children
will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be
blessed.
It’s
Important for our Children’s Children’s Future You understand
that the values that we pass on to our children, they will pass on to their
children.
Important for our Children’s Children’s Future You understand
that the values that we pass on to our children, they will pass on to their
children.
The Prophet Hosea was speaking of how the
people of Israel had rejected God and the consequences of that decision for the
next generations when he wrote Hosea 8:7 “They
have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.”
people of Israel had rejected God and the consequences of that decision for the
next generations when he wrote Hosea 8:7 “They
have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.”
We are reaping the seeds that were sown a
generation ago. For two thousand years
church was a priority in the lives of Christian families. It was what they did on Sunday. They worshipped together as a family.
generation ago. For two thousand years
church was a priority in the lives of Christian families. It was what they did on Sunday. They worshipped together as a family.
Earlier I spoke about those churches in the
city and around our country that used to be full, many of them were built for
the children of the baby boom, but at some point church became less and less
important for the boomers and because of that it became even less important for
gen x and y and the millennials.
city and around our country that used to be full, many of them were built for
the children of the baby boom, but at some point church became less and less
important for the boomers and because of that it became even less important for
gen x and y and the millennials.
In a moment of introspection, what values
are you passing on to your kids about the value of church attendance?
are you passing on to your kids about the value of church attendance?
Has church become the thing you do with
your family when there is nothing else to do?
There are no games, no practice, no chores, no family visits, no
camping?
your family when there is nothing else to do?
There are no games, no practice, no chores, no family visits, no
camping?
And maybe you are thinking, “but Denn, if
church takes priority over sports and other activities it will teach my kids to
resent the church.”
church takes priority over sports and other activities it will teach my kids to
resent the church.”
Really?
What will it teach your kids when sports and other activities take a
priority over church?
What will it teach your kids when sports and other activities take a
priority over church?
We have parents at Cornerstone who take
their kids to cheer or hockey or soccer on Sunday and still get them to church,
they might be wearing their uniforms and might be a little sweaty, but that’s
ok, they’re here. And kudos to those parents.
their kids to cheer or hockey or soccer on Sunday and still get them to church,
they might be wearing their uniforms and might be a little sweaty, but that’s
ok, they’re here. And kudos to those parents.
It was Aristotle who wrote, “Give me a
child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.”
child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.”
And it’s because we hold the future of our
grand-kids in our hands that Jesus said “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
grand-kids in our hands that Jesus said “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
If I was to ask you “Who was responsible
for more people coming to Christ, Billy Graham or Edward Kimball?” What would your answer be?
for more people coming to Christ, Billy Graham or Edward Kimball?” What would your answer be?
Most of us are very familiar with Billy
Graham and have never heard the name of Edward Kimball, so it seems the answer
would be an easy one. Edward Kimball was
a Sunday School teacher and one of his students who he introduced to Jesus was
a boy named Dwight L. Moody.
Graham and have never heard the name of Edward Kimball, so it seems the answer
would be an easy one. Edward Kimball was
a Sunday School teacher and one of his students who he introduced to Jesus was
a boy named Dwight L. Moody.
Yes, that Dwight L. Moody, the man who went
on to become one of the most influential evangelists of the 1800’s. And one of Moody’s converts was a man named
Wilbur Chapman, who would also go on to become a preacher.
on to become one of the most influential evangelists of the 1800’s. And one of Moody’s converts was a man named
Wilbur Chapman, who would also go on to become a preacher.
In the late 1800s a professional ball player
by the name of Billy Sunday committed his life to Christ, Sunday would
eventually leave Baseball and become an assistant to Wilbur Chapman, who
mentored the former baseball player and through that process Sunday became the
Billy Graham of his day, or more correctly Billy Graham became the Billy Sunday
of his day.
by the name of Billy Sunday committed his life to Christ, Sunday would
eventually leave Baseball and become an assistant to Wilbur Chapman, who
mentored the former baseball player and through that process Sunday became the
Billy Graham of his day, or more correctly Billy Graham became the Billy Sunday
of his day.
At one of the meetings where Billy Sunday
was preaching a man named Mordecai
Ham turned his life over to Christ.
was preaching a man named Mordecai
Ham turned his life over to Christ.
You kind of see the
pattern here right? Yep, Ham also
became an evangelist and it was during one of his meetings in Charlotte North
Carolina that a young man named Billy Graham committed his life to Christ.
pattern here right? Yep, Ham also
became an evangelist and it was during one of his meetings in Charlotte North
Carolina that a young man named Billy Graham committed his life to Christ.
Yep that Billy Graham,
the man who is reported to have preached to more people than anyone in history
including the Apostle Paul.
the man who is reported to have preached to more people than anyone in history
including the Apostle Paul.
So, I’ll ask you
again, “Who was responsible for more people coming to
Christ, Billy Graham or Edward Kimball?”
The evangelist or the Sunday School Teacher?
again, “Who was responsible for more people coming to
Christ, Billy Graham or Edward Kimball?”
The evangelist or the Sunday School Teacher?
And it is because of that that Jesus said
“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
And maybe you are sitting there thinking “Denn, you are making us feel
guilty.”
guilty.”
Perfect, I love it when a plan comes together. I don’t often play the guilt card, but this
is of eternal consequence.
is of eternal consequence.
Ed Stetzer, is a Baptist
preacher with two master degrees and two earned doctorates, he has planted
numerous churches, lectured around the world, I’ve heard him in Orlando and
Sussex, and written 15 books on church health and church planting and is the
executive director of Lifeway Research. And after years of research and study
Stetzer has come to the conclusion that “Too many
churches love their traditions more than their children.”
preacher with two master degrees and two earned doctorates, he has planted
numerous churches, lectured around the world, I’ve heard him in Orlando and
Sussex, and written 15 books on church health and church planting and is the
executive director of Lifeway Research. And after years of research and study
Stetzer has come to the conclusion that “Too many
churches love their traditions more than their children.”
And so the question is: What do we love more than the children of
Cornerstone?
Cornerstone?
And when you are thinking of your answer remember the words of Jesus who
said “Let the
children come to me. Don’t stop them!”
said “Let the
children come to me. Don’t stop them!”