Child Theology:
A new approach to doing church
By Melissa Chan
THERE was a time when Christian missions was abuzz with the phrase, "the 10-40 window". Today, the `buzz is now "4-14". If seminaries once sought to promote Systemic Theology, today, the idea of Child Theology is catching on. But 4-14 is not a geographical window on the world map. And Child Theology is not the theology of children. So, what is it?
Research has shown that people between ages four and 14 are most tender and open to the Gospel, making them the most fertile ground to sow. However, many decisions in policies and endeavours are made without children in the picture. Services and sermons are catered to the needs of adults. Missions, too.
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 Dr. Keith White |
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This is where Child Theology invites Christians to rethink how we do missions, how we do church and how we do ministry. It is not about promoting or championing children and youth ministry per se. It is about always being conscious of having children in the midst of us and that they, too, have a role in the Kingdom of God, not merely as receivers, but as active ministers.
NECF's initiative in inviting Dr Keith White1 and key thinkers in the area of Child Theology as well as initiators of the 4-14 movement for a consultation is admirable. The oneand a-half day consultation seminar, held in June 2012, was helpful in creating awareness and an avenue for discussion.
As the discussion unfolded, it was evident that the participants were not yet all on the same page. Some were just beginning to grasp what child theology is. Some seemed to think the concern was to promote the importance of children's ministry. Some (maybe it's just me!) were trying to recall who was who and where they were from, in order to understand how different components and ministry leaders should synergise under child theology! The sessions were informative if not rather conceptual and abstract and the question of how to implement or apply all that was discussed, was left unanswered. The small group discussions, though animated, lacked general direction and conclusion.
Nonetheless, one key issue raised and driven home was that the Christian community has for too long diminished the role and importance of children in the body of Christ. However, to come away from this consultation with only the conclusion that Children and Youth Ministries are important and should be given due priority is too simplistic and misses the point. We must instead, realise that our church and mission policies are skewed. Our services, ministries prayer meetings are planned without considering the presence and participation of children. The labourers are fewer in number because we have neglected children as partners or as "co-workers".
Child Theology reminds us to consider the child put in our midst by Jesus2. Not so that they become the key focus of all ministries but simply to highlight that the church has pushed children to a corner when they are actually ubiquitous to the body of Christ.
Where do we go with this understanding of Child Theology and the 4-14 window? Perhaps the first step would be to continue to cast the vision to Christian leaders, especially senior leadership and seminaries, rebranding the consultation so that it is not deemed as only a children and youth ministry concern. It is not. It is the concern of the whole body of Christ. For a child was placed in the midst of the disciples to draw attention to the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18).
About the writer: Melissa Chan is a scientist turned pastoral intern, serving in Community Baptist Church PJ, as its Church Wide Youth Pastor. She prefers Milo to coffee, is fascinated by Church History, and still wonders why people like sashimi!
1 Dr Keith White is a director of the Child Theology Movement (CTM), a global movement that works through consultation to create awareness and discussion about the significance of children in theological development for all aspects of the Church's life and mission. White is trained in literature, theology, sociology, child development, social work and community development. He lectures at Spurgeon's College, UK and at the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary in Penang. He also preaches and writes.
2 Matthew 18: 1-5. Jesus answered his discples' question on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven by placing a child amongst them. |
