Summer and children just seem to go together! Children are drawn to outdoor activities and the freedom from school schedules offer opportunities to explore, discover, relax and just have fun! It’s also a time that parents can connect with their kids and everyone can experience the simple pleasures and wonders of God’s creation. A mix of planning simple day-trips to spur-of-the-moment activities can create long-lasting memories.
The activity planned is not as important as the communication opportunities it offers.
As this together time is enjoyed, it allows for conversations to happen. This can be the true blessing if lots of listening is involved. Children can get to know the lighter side of their parents’ personalities and then be more willing to hear the words of guidance and care. Parents can appreciate the unique qualities of each child and have a better understanding of his or her needs and concerns. Biking or walking through the park or sitting around a campfire at twilight may be the perfect setting to share God’s word and the blessings of His love. Take time to consider the possibilities for your family and enjoy this season!
Kathy Shea, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
T.J. Bach – “Home sweet home – where each lives for the other and all live for God.”
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I’d like to share with you a little of my spiritual journey and my call to ministry. It may help to explain my recent pursuit of ordination in the Covenant.
I was raised in a Christian home. My solid Lutheran heritage played an important part in my childhood identity. My grandparents were Swedish immigrants. When they settled in America they were part of a group responsible for establishing Swedlanda Evangelical Lutheran Church.
As a young child I was involved in the children’s ministry at the Evangelical Free Church in my hometown. Through the influence of Godly neighbors from that church I came to know Jesus as my Savior.
During my high school years I was very involved with Youth for Christ. Following college, many of my Youth for Christ mentors helped build my ministry skills and challenged me to pursue a call to ministry, side by side with them, in full time evangelism of youth.
Following graduate school, Mark and I moved to Bemidji. We began attending the Covenant Church and both felt like we had found HOME. While studying about our denomination, in preparation for my ordination, I understood why we felt “AT HOME” in the Covenant. My Augustana Lutheran roots, my exposure to the Free Church movement and my experience in evangelism all find significance in our Covenant historical roots.
During the past 20 years I have served the Bemidji Covenant Church through planning and leading worship. I also serve as Chaplin at Oak Hills Christian College, where I have the opportunity to disciple and mentor young people as they develop as worship leaders.
As a young woman beginning her ministry in the 70’s, I never imagined that 33 years later I would have this opportunity to become ordained. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to continue to follow my call.
Pastor Holly
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Parents are responsible to love and care for their children. This is a never ending responsibility, as children are being exposed to a toxic social environment. Parents need to work hard at creating an atmosphere in the home that counters the pressures of the internet, pop culture and destructive images of beauty, wealth, sex and violence. However, God does not leave parents floundering with this responsibility. He has provided clear instruction in the Word on how to love and provide a safe haven for families.
In Ephesians chapters five and six the Apostle Paul challenges husbands, wives, and children to follow the example of Christ in all relationships. Paul explains what following the example of Christ would look like when applied to family relationships. Husbands are to love their wives like Christ loved the Church. Jesus gave himself up for her. Wives are to submit to their husbands as they submit to Christ and we must submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. Children are to honor and obey their parents. Paul also makes it clear that parents should not exasperate their kids. Paul also says we are to love, feed, care unite, respect, train and instruct.
In May, the congregation was asked to think back to their growing-up experience, and to share one way in which their home was a safe haven. These are just a few of the responses:
- “I was always welcome, and my friends were always welcome in my home.”
- “We spent a lot of time together.”
- “My parents loved the Lord.”
- “My parents worked out their differences.”
- “I never had to question my parents’ love for each other.”
- “I was allowed to learn from my mistakes.”
- “I could share openly with my parents.”
- “We ate meals together.”
- “We were always taken care of and had lots to eat even though we were poor.”
- “There was a lot of physical affection in my home.”
- “We were encouraged to use our imagination.”
- “We prayed together.”
- “My dad took me with him places.”
- “We went to church together.”
- “I always knew what to expect at home; we had a predictable routine.”
- “My home was a place to escape.”
Everyone’s growing-up experience is different. I hope that our homes are safe havens for all family members. We can learn a lot from the Word and from each other to make sure that our homes are a safe haven!
Pastor Doug
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