40.DAY 2014 AUGUST 2 • MY JUBILEE JOURNAL If children really mattered to us and if we truly received them as Jesus does, it would affect every facet of Church life. For example: (1) Children’s Ministry would never again be an afterthought. Children’s Pastors would be well-chosen, well-paid, and well-placed staff on the Senior Pastors’ Team. They would have the privilege to shape thinking and influence decisions and the direction of the church. (2) We would make 30-year plans instead of three-year plans. We would launch long-range strategies to impact future generations. We would ask ourselves, how shall we prepare the way today for their ministry tomorrow? (3) Seminaries would examine every course and curriculum in light of the question: What about the children? Pastors would not be allowed to graduate without completing courses focused on children. Majors in missions, social work, communications and other disciplines would likewise deal with the strategic place of children in God’s transformation agenda. (4) In view of the ripe and ready harvest among the little ones, churches would earmark a lion’s share of their budget for reaching children in the community. Special offerings would be taken regularly for children’s outreach ministries. (5) Every Senior Pastor would vacate the pulpit a few Sundays a year to serve the little ones in the nursery and children’s church. That would be a refreshing change and would send a convicting message to the church. (6) Each child in the church would be assigned a personal champion and mentor, committed to remember their birthday, invite them to special outings, and pray for them daily. (7) Children’s Day would be as big a deal as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, if not bigger. Pastors would preach on the place of children in God’s kingdom. Children’s pastors and workers would be given double honour. (8) Mission organizations would do what’s best for the children of their career missionaries, no matter the cost. God’s work would no longer be built on the slender backs of neglected children. Missionary kids would no longer be treated as excess baggage. Adapted from “Too Small to Ignore” by Wess Stafford PONDER AND PRAY Jesus says: ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God’. (Mark 10:14) (1) Prayerfully review each idea [above]. (2) Does your heart resonate? (3) What else would you add? Look far. Ask big. Let yourself be consumed with the zeal of the Lord for the little ones. Future generations will reap what we sow in intercession today. When Singapore celebrates her second Jubilee in 2065, may our city be filled with the laughter of happy boys and girls whose God is the Lord. (4) Write your prayer and response. ___________________________ 40.DAY MORNING PRAYER (Wave 7) • 6.30am to 8.30am • Kum Yan Methodist Church / Bras Basah MRT Station / Exit A 40.DAY CITY@PRAYER • 1.00pm to 2.00pm • St Andrews Cathedral, South Transept Hall
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 02:27:34 +0000
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