Everything we need

December 31, 2013 | Viewpoints
Dave Bergen |

“Pay now . . . or really pay later.” This recent Winnipeg Free Press headline pointed to the close relationship between investing in education and healthcare for the very young, and the lifelong costs of healthcare, crime prevention and social support required by those who fall through the cracks. The article’s message was clear: If you want to solve almost every intractable social problem we have, put your money and your energy into quality early-life programs.

This thesis is the outcome of significant recent brain science research. It turns out that the googly-eyed behaviour of new parents who coo and engage their baby’s every squeak and squawk is actually laying the foundation for life-long brain development. But the article noted, in spite of this strong scientific evidence, we continue to have a shortage of daycare spaces, and early childhood educators are scarce and underpaid. Too often these things are first on the chopping block when public budgets face reductions. The results of undervaluing early childhood development come home to roost later, and at a much higher cost.

Communities of faith have long recognized the wisdom and exponential value of investing in childhood spiritual formation. The people of Israel enshrined this understanding in Hebrew Scripture and spiritual practice: “Hear, O Israel: . . . keep these words that I am commanding you. . . . Recite them to your children and talk about them” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In the New Testament, Luke notes how the child Jesus “increased in wisdom and in years” (Luke 2:52). And Paul notes the significance of Timothy’s spiritual formation from an early age, through “a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (I Timothy 2:5).

Unfortunately, paying lip service to this wisdom often fails to translate into deliberate action. We balk at the resources required to offer sound Christian formation curriculum for the children in our congregational care. We question why we should enrol our children in Mennonite schools where faith nurture is deepened and broadened. And then in the next breath we bemoan the biblical illiteracy of young people and their loss of connection to the church and its ministry!

The good news is that we have all the tools we need to change this picture if we behave proactively. Our publisher, MennoMedia, produces the best children’s curriculum in the market. “Shine,” a new curriculum for age three to Grade 8, launches later this year. Our Mennonite church schools offer a hospitable environment for tough faith questions, study of the Bible and deep engagement of faith with daily life.

When we take advantage of these resources, our homes can again nurture early faith development as they were meant to do. In addition, we have opportunities to collaborate on ministry for children and youth with the wider church with conferences like “Faith Forward” in Nashville, Tenn., from May 19 to 22 (www.faith-forward.net).

Change can happen. Transformation is possible. We have everything we need to get started!

Dave Bergen is executive minister of Mennonite Church Canada Christian Formation.

--Posted Dec. 24, 2013

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