So, all Lutherans have all heard the joke. The only way the Lutheran church does church growth is through birth and marriage. To me, the joke is no longer really funny.
God does grow His church through birth. He always has. Remember, “be fruitful” to Adam and Eve. Remember the promises of descendants like sand to Abraham. Remember, “the promise is unto you and your children.”
The fact that Lutherans traditionally have been slow to spread the gospel of Christ locally in their relationships with others is sad. But it is just as sad that they have laughed off the idea of church growth through the birth, baptism, and nurture of our children.
Fathers leading in the home with spiritual wisdom is essential to church growth. The mother caring for the child with the love of Christ in her actions and her words is necessary to true church growth. Churches ensuring that they are teaching their children well must happen for the church to grow.
No, this is not a call to leave behind evangelism as means for God to grow His church. Indeed, faith comes though hearing. But faith also comes through Christian child bearing. Let us no longer laugh at one way God grows His church in order to promote another. The joke is not funny.
Phil,
I really appreciated this post. I think you have not only highlighted a valuable aspect of your tradition but faithfully and gently reminded me of a weakness of my own. We tend to take the process of children primarily with the cognitive aspect in mind. In other words, how much can they have crammed in their head. Your tradition, like my own, sees the call for dads to lead the home well, for moms to nurture the child yet where we stop is where you beautifully continue. This is a legitimate (and large) piece to the “church growth” puzzle. Where statistics are seen more (though not the only thing seen) in my tradition you see more of a thread of faith weaving its way in and out of relationship(s). I’m glad you didn’t “leave behind evangelism” because in that same verse you referenced the implication is not only for Abraham’s physical seed but also those who would claim him spiritually. It was Israel’s responsibility to teach their children but also to be a light and witness to the surrounding cultures. Hey thanks again for a great post…i hate to be the freak who keeps posting but you got a lot of good things that i want to respond to.
My wife and I were watching a show this last week on TLC called “Kids By The Dozen”. They show the lives of families who have 12 or more children. I must admit, that the first thought I had when watching this show was , “Are they nuts?” But they weren’t. They were Christians who had been blessed with a large familiy – they are not freaks for a sideshow. It shows just how selfish my thoughts can be – to look at something as a burden instead of a blessing. Most Americans tend to focus on self, and raising a large family would demand more time, effort, love, patience, and sacrifice of self than many are willing to give.
If you can tell me what portions interest you, I would be glad to direct you to other resources.