And as you might know, a couple Sundays ago our daughter, Becca, gave her life to Christ and was baptized by her mom. What a joy it is to see your children baptized. All of our kids were right about the same age when they made the decision to follow Jesus. And, though we encouraged them and taught them from early on, the decision was their own. Someone commented to me after watching Becca get baptized what awesome parents Lori and I must be that all of our kids are committed to the Lord and His church. Our oldest, Daniel, is a junior at Johnson Bible College. Andrew will be attending Milligan College (Lori and my alma mater) next fall.
I never know how to respond when folks say things like that. For I usually think of all the things that I would have done differently in parenting—and they are many. We are far from perfect parents and sometimes I think if our kids do end up well adjusted in adulthood it will be in spite of their parents. But I will tell you something that we did get right—and it happens to be the most important thing. From day one with our kids, church was not an option. There was no discussion as to where we would be on Sundays and Wednesdays on a regular basis and where our priorities were. Now, it’s different with me being a preacher, but I can tell you that even if we weren’t in ministry, it would be the same. But, also, the fact that I am a preacher has it’s own pitfalls in bringing up kids to love the Lord. This is evidenced in a group of friends my son has at Johnson Bible College who are all PKs. They call themselves the PK (preacher’s kid) support group and meet regularly to try and overcome the unique obstacles in being raised in a ministry home.
My point is that the most important aspect of raising kids to love the Lord is to consistently demonstrate that as a priority. I give all the credit in the world also to the great youth ministers and children’s minister we have had. But here’s the thing—Thadd and Cathy can only influence our kids if we make sure they are involved in church. I have seen it all too often. Parents aren’t consistent in their own example of making church a priority with their family and then wonder why their teenage child doesn’t want to be involved in church and youth stuff. I know that there are a lot of things competing for our time and energy and attention. I have heard folks say “well, church will always be here, but __(fill in the blank) is just for a short time.” Number one, that speaks to our kids about priorities. Number two, there will always be something else that comes along. Now there were times that Daniel missed church stuff—especially because of band. But most of the time he missed even band when there were conflicts (even incurring the wrath of Mr. Knipe) to make church the priority.
And so I’ll just be honest with you as your pastor and you can ignore it if you choose. But I say with all love that I just don’t understand Christian parents whose attitude toward church and their children’s spiritual development is inconsistent. I am not bragging, but I believe with all my heart that we are blessed with the best youth minister and children’s minister around in Thadd and Cathy. And you are depriving your kids if you model a “we’ll be at church if there is nothing better to do” attitude.
If you haven’t already, please begin a new chapter in your family and say with Joshua “as for me and my house—we will serve the Lord.” I promise you that if you do, one day your children will rise up and call your blessed. Okay maybe that’s farfetched. But they will thank you. And isn’t that all we want to hear from our kids?
Chris Higgins 