Response: Teaching the Children

Q. What are the practical implications of such a talk though. I agree, to a point though. Church leaders over the centuries have neglected their nuclear family to serve the wider body (the age old angst of 'PKs'), which is taking this point too far. Given the resounding weight of scripture for all parents to be leaders of their home prior to them being leaders of their ministry, church leaders especially should give their nuclear family as much quality time as their ministry.


A. Yeah hard one... but what this is suggesting (for minister and laity) isn't neglecting the nuclear for the sake of the community but immersing them into one another; such that everyone's children are a cherished and discipled by every believing parent. It's too broad and distant from our society to write in a few lines but if you try to picture the ideal church community I'm almost certain it involves more done together amongst, families, singles, mothers, fathers, children, elderly, young, comfortable, needy!?

I've known PKs that have thrived and others that have struggled under busy dads with demanding ministries. So the problem isn’t 100% business (although a father being 100% busy is certainly a problem).

Perhaps (and I am speculating) the did neglect their family (more than the average failing dad); or the church failed in their duty to honour and support their pastor and family; or has Ferguson warns at the end of the distress of witnessing pious struggling that is not rooted in God's strength and grace (the frustrations of ministry making both the parent and child bitter); or the children were kept apart from the burden and business of ministry when the could have been involved in the struggle; or the million+ ways we fail to pray for and disciple the young in our community.

So perhaps practically for us:
- Make children as much a part of church as possible
- Get to know as many of the children as you can and let them get to know you, and don't think you're beneath discipling your pastor's children
- Offer to babysit for you Church's leadership!
- Parents, don’t idolise the worldly success of your fleeting family but work for the eternal Church family in which they and us all are a part.
- Pray for the souls that will carry the gospel to a world we will not be around for.