So as I was saying a couple of weeks ago, there is much we can learn when babies are born in our community.
Perhaps the next lesson is illuminated by how our community pulls together to help the welcoming family with meals and other acts of service in their time of transition. I believe the lesson here goes much further than the dinner table, but into the task of parenting as well.
It has often been said that “It takes a village” to raise a child in today’s complex world. Because of my spiritual concern, I would augment this thought by saying, instead, that
It takes a community to raise a child.
In several healthy churches with which I have had contact in the past, one of the things that I have often admired is their sense of mutual ownership and care that they had for each other’s children. Though it was clear which kids belonged to which family, there really was a sense that that particular expression of the Body of Christ had a mutual responsibility for the task at hand. They weren’t just a village at work, they were a community of spiritual influence whose goal was the healthy spiritual formation of their children and the hope of them coming toward Christ.
While we all may agree that this is an admirable goal and noble pursuit, we must acknowledge a significant obstacle in our way to this becoming a reality.
The lack of community inherent within typical, disconnected suburban life.
We live in a big city. We all don’t live in the same neighborhoods. We don’t go to the same schools or even play in the same ball leagues. AND because of differing life patterns, most of us only see one another once or twice a week at most. With this being the case, is there hope for this kind of shared parenting community together? Absolutely. Where the Gospel is, there is always hope.
1. It all starts with our family ministry philosophy.
At Crossing, we are passionately committed to “Equipping parents to teach their kids about God.” Since we will all be reading and interacting with the same articles, thoughts, age-stages, discipline problems, etc. we will have the benefit of interacting with one another both in person and online through forthcoming webgroups where we can ask each other questions about how one another dealt with…whatever. Surely part of our equipping will come from the mouths and stories of one another.
2. It will happen first in community group.
One of my favorite parts of the week is seeing my kids play with the other children in our community group. When my kids get out of line, other parents gently call them back to obedience. I do the same for their children as well. Also, we take turns sharing thoughts about God with each other’s kids. It is truly a beautiful picture of God’s community on display among our families.
3. This is not just for people with kids!
When we were at sojourn, one of my children’s favorite people was a single girl they called Aunt Lori. To see Lori, a young lady without children of her own, extending godly care and influence into my children’s lives at an early stage was a huge blessing. If you don’t have kids yet, don’t fall prey to the enemy’s scheme that your opportunity for influence in the lives of children only begins when you have your own. Love the kids in your community group. Serve in Little Groups. Get to know your future nieces and nephews in the faith!
So, if we agree that it does take a community to raise a child, the real question we are left with is,
Am I taking advantage of the opportunity of being a part of the community at Crossing?
We hope so. If we can help you take the next step on your journey in this or any other direction, please let us know.
