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SonRise Church, A United Methodist Ministry
Theology and Philosophy of Children and Youth
The following Scriptures were used as the basis for this statement: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Joshua 4:1-7, Psalm 8:1-2, Psalm 139:13-16, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 18:1-6, Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 9:33-37, and Acts 2:38-39.
God has created all humans in His image. The psalmist tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has known and loved us before we were even born and has instilled in us a spiritual hunger to seek Him and live in His ways. These ideas inform us that all people are precious to God, including our children and youth. We are not to discount our children simply because they are young. God chose many children and youth to fulfill His purposes while they were alive. Young people such as Joseph, Samuel, David, Josiah, Jeremiah, Mary, and Timothy are all examples of persons called by God at a young age. Jesus Himself did not arrive as a full-grown man. He arrived as Emmanuel in the form of a child. In His adolescent years, the Temple leaders honored Him by listening to what He had to say. Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37). In welcoming young people to SonRise, we are welcoming Christ. In welcoming Christ, we are welcoming God.
Our job at SonRise is to help our youth grow in their Christian faith, grow in knowledge of the Bible, grow in their knowledge of the church, and form Christian relationships. Our primary goal is to teach our children to love God and to love others, which Jesus said are the first and second greatest commandments (Matt. 22:37-40). Our children and youth can understand how they can “be Jesus” to others and innately know what it is to praise God.
Our children learn and grow at amazing rates. SonRise’s job is to help provide teachers and leaders for the children’s and youth ministries who will model Jesus Christ for our kids. We expect our teachers and leaders to be prepared for lessons and prepared to answer the questions that are raised. However, we will never know all there is to know about the Bible or God, so it is also fine to answer, “I don’t know.” All of us never stop learning, and therefore, can be learners along with our young people. We will also seek to find age appropriate materials and divide our kids into age groups for better learning.
In the Bible, families are of ultimate importance in regards to their children. As such, we also believe that the church should minister to the whole family. But we should not think of the children as ways to “get to” the family. The children are important and special in their own rights, not a means to an end to the family or until they are grown.
We think that Jesus held children as examples for adults for the message of God is much more readily accepted by young people. They tend to be more accepting, less judgmental, live in the moment, and are trusting. A child often asks for help and is dependent on others for many things. As we move forward as a church who loves children and youth, we must continually see them through God’s eyes: lovely, unique, and important in the kingdom of God here on earth.
Purpose Statement for SonRise’s Ministries to Children and Youth
The purpose of the Children’s and Youth Ministries of SonRise Church is to celebrate God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, help and love others, teach about God and the Bible, build friendships within the church, and share Jesus with others.
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