Back to School - Column

I don’t like the first day of school. The pictures we take every year of the boys in front of our roses. One boy is handsome and the other is cute. We get to the elementary school early, find a parking space, go inside, meet the teacher, and convince David to give us a kiss. We wait in a long line of cars, drop Benjamin off at the middle school, and convince him to give us a hug. After school we take them out for ice cream and hear stories of their first day of school. I still don’t like the first day of school.

I like coming home in the summer and going swimming with the boys. I like going down the basement and playing Mario Cart with them. Or walking across the street to the park or playing basketball in the driveway. I like staying up with them and watching a movie or a soccer game. I love Benjamin and David. I love spending time with them. I guess that is why I don’t like the first day of school. 

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. –Matthew 18:5 

Jesus loves children too. Not just mine, but all of them. And because Jesus loves children an imperative of the church is to love children too. 

Today is a day when The Water’s Edge showcases children and youth. It is always one of my favorite Sundays of the year. The kids in the Frog Pond (our Sunday school for children fifth grade and under) will move up a grade. They will have their backpacks blessed in worship. Middle school and high school students will lead much of the worship experience. The students who went on the mission trips this summer will share stories of redemption and grace. The student ministry fall kick-off is this Wednesday night. 

Since our beginning, The Water’s Edge has been and in the future will remain committed to partnering with families as we lead our children into a growing relationship with God as followers of Jesus Christ. Children and students are not the future of the church—they are an essential part of the church. 

I am making two challenges. The first is to parents. Be very proactive in having your children participate in the life of the church. As a new church we don’t have the facilities or the programs that we will have in a few years, but what we have right now is excellent and it’s getting better every week. The second is to all adults. Invest in our children. God has given us stewardship of these most valuable resources. Invest your time, invest your financial resources, invest your energy, invest your prayer, and invest your talents in welcoming and developing the young people Jesus loves so much. 

The best is yet to come… 

Craig