If we educate children in the importance of loving God and neighbor, they have a strong likelihood of continuing that discipleship throughout their lives.
f you have read the Sprouts manual, you know that I came to Accountable Discipleship through an interest in children’s ministries. I learned about it in order to create an application for children. But John Wesley and David Watson have had a profound effect on my spiritual life by insisting that I not only spend time doing good (Works of Caring/ Mercy) but that I spend “equal” time in Works of Faith/ Piety. Social justice has always been a passion for me, but only now have I learned to balance my life in a way that has led to significant spiritual growth.
As you read the Sprouts Growing Guide, you may notice a bias. You may find more about Kindness and Justice than about Devotion and Worship. In part that’s because I believe that children who’ve been associated with a church have already been exposed to Bible study, prayer, and worship more than to social justice. The other part is that I personally feel called to do justice. I will rely on you, the readers of the Guide and the do-ers of Sprouts, to help me balance this Guide so that we continue to respond to Jesus’ call to love both God and neighbor.
In the June issue of Christian Social Action, Thom White Wolf Fassett, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, reports that a Search Institute study indicates that 75% of United Methodist adults are rarely or never involved in working toward social justice. One third of adults and two-thirds of adolescents show an uninformed or undeveloped faith. All categories of the survey showed low ratings for involvement and interest in social justice issues. The United Methodist Church needs accountable discipleship, and children are the best place to start. If we educate them in the importance of loving God and neighbor, they have a strong likelihood of continuing that discipleship throughout life. And by involving children, we involve parents and other adults.
Using the Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty is a way to encourage your church to do social justice. The used-book drive for schools in low-income areas (mentioned in the last Growing Guide) is a justice project for Sprouts that could be tied to the Bishops’ Initiative. However you do it, it’s important to both educate the children (and maybe the congregation) about justice issues and then to do something about that issue. Children may not be able to “solve” the problem or change the big picture, but they can certainly begin to be involved. Check the Sprouts manual or contact me for more information on social justice resources.
Here’s an idea for you . . . . One of the wonderful things about being part of The United Methodist Church is that our connectionalism makes it possible to reach out beyond the local church. This gives us access to diverse resources, ideas, and initiatives. In 1984 The Peace with Justice Program and Special Sunday Offering was created, providing information and encouragement for local churches to do justice. Many local churches may not care much about justice issues; but Peace with Justice Sunday helps us show that we care. In addition to the educational value, 50% of the funds raised stay in the home annual conference to fund peace with justice projects. The rest goes to the Peace with Justice division of the General Board of Church and Society and provides grants for other Peace with Justice projects throughout the connection. It is being proposed that General Conference eliminate a number of the special Sunday offerings, including Peace with Justice Sunday. This is a justice issue! At least 16 annual conferences are petitioning General Conference to retain Peace with Justice Sunday. Sprouts can write the General Conference delegates from their annual conference urging them to vote to retain Peace with Justice Sunday. They can write their Bishop asking him/her to support Peace with Justice Sunday. Ask your pastor for names and addresses of your delegates. Write the members of the committee that will make the recommendation about this proposal. Robin Ringler, the Peace with Justice Program Director, can provide more information: (202) 488-5600 or dringler@umc-gbcs.org.
For this Growing Guide and networking effort to be effective, you need to do more than just read it — respond to it! Only if those of you doing Sprouts share your ideas, innovations, questions, variations, problems, solutions, comments, issues, and even frustrations, will we be able to help each other grow strong Sprouts. If you know of churches that are doing Sprouts or who could benefit from the Growing Guide, please send us their names and addresses, and we’ll send them a copy of the Guide. Please write, call, or email Edie Harris with responses:
SPROUTS c/o Edie Harris
641 NE 6th St.
Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: 954/942-7522 sproutsedie@juno.comChristian Social Action, monthly journal published by the General Board of Church & Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington DC 20002, (202) 488-5617. Subscription: $15/year. Includes articles on justice issues, current church activities relating to justice, and suggestions for action.
Peace with Justice Newsletter, published by the General Board of Church and Society. Available free; donations accepted. Contact Robin Ringler, Peace with Justice, GBCS, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 488-5600, dringler@umc-gbcs.org. “Helps church members address the need for greater economic, social, ecological, and racial peace and justice in their community, nation, and world.”
| It's All About Love |
| My Story | Means of Grace |
| Council for Accountable Discipleship: Annual Meeting 1999 |
| Book Review- Worship & Daily Life: A Resource for Worship Planners |
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