Several years ago, the Church of the Nazarene made a decadal emphasis on reaching the next generation. A powerful video was made announcing the effort (see it here).  “You’re losing us” multiple minors warned. The video closed with various children telling their ages in ten years. Several years later, I’m curious where those kids are now?  Did we, in fact, lose them? My guess is, in many cases, we did.

In the decade that followed the video, budget cuts eliminated positions in the global children’s ministry leadership team. If memory serves, we announced the children and youth emphasis, then did nothing about it. No real follow up was offered. So now, a several later, most Nazarene churches have fewer children than they did ten years ago. Our decadal emphasis did nothing. Many churches have less than five children who regularly attend. Some have zero kids and no prospects of reaching any. Those churches are dead. They just don’t know it.

A quote attributed to C.S. Lewis is true (no matter who said it first): “Children are not a distraction for a more important work, they are the most important work.” It’s time to move Manual paragraph 922 regarding the Value of Children and Youth out of the appendix and onto the front page. Every church (Every. Single. Church.) should prioritize reaching boys and girls for Jesus. Turn the worship services into a training centers. Turn potlucks into prayer sessions. Understandably, not every church can afford a “children’s pastor,” but no church can afford to forget about the children in their communities. Every pastor must become a “children’s pastor” no matter his/her role in the church.

We don’t need another Bible study for people who already know the Bible. We need mentors and tutors in elementary schools. Allow the boy or girl scouts or children advocacy groups to meet in the building. Host trunk or treat events. Offer free babysitting to single moms or invite support meetings for foster parents. Make an all-out, anything goes, no holds bar effort to reach boys and girls for Jesus. We need a true emphasis on reaching boys and girls, not just a well-produced video. 

The future of the denomination hangs in the balance. Reach children or die. 

Note: Thankfully some positive signs are afoot. The addition of Global children’s discipleship advocates, Trey and Candice Brooks, is a great start. They are terrific. I just hope it’s not too little too late.