As we develop our questions and answer (6-8) year) curriculum on the "Bible Building Blocks of the Faith" and talk with churches on how to implement this unique curriculum, the feedback we receive over and over again is: "How do we get the parents involved?". CMI now has an answer! We gladly offer our friends a two day "Covenant Parenting Seminar."

     God, of course, is ultimately responsible for our children's salvation and sanctification- we must depend upon Him alone. However, there is the general understanding that without commitment from parents in the home, most of what we do in the Christian/church classroom will be ineffective in the long run. Bible believing churches know that ultimately the parents (within God's grace and sovereignty) are essential to instill the biblical values, perform the roles of godly protectors, build the hedge of prayer around the child, administer the proper discipline, and be the prime examples of godly role models and mentors for their covenant children. These roles cannot generally be delegated to others without severe consequences.

     We live in an age of people "doing their own thing" (doing what is "right in their own eyes"). The instruction of covenant children is therefore, often left to the "professionals". We, as teaching professionals, need to be careful that we are not part of this problem. AS teachers (and administrators), called to serve God in the church as Christian educators, we could give the impression that this is our work alone. No! WE must challenge parents. Scripture is clear that parents (especially fathers) are to be the primary spiritual educators (enabled through the Holy Spirit and reinforced/instructed by the Christ-centered church) of their covenant children (Ephesians 6:4, Galatians 4:2, Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, Proverbs 1-4). Sadly, many parents shrug their shoulders and raise their hands in ignorance on how they should fulfill their biblical roles. Our "Covenant Parenting Seminars" will hopefully assist parents and churches to fulfill their God-given roles!

1. What will these "Covenant Parenting Seminars" consist of?
We will use the word "C-O-V-E-N-A-N-T" as an acrostic to teach the following items over a two day period (Friday evening, 7-9:30 PM and Saturday, 9AM - 12:30 PM or all day Saturday):

a. C- Covenant - What is a biblical covenant? How are we affected as parents by the covenant God has made with us as Christians?
b. O- What are the offices of Christ and how they affect our roles as parents. We will define how Christ is our "Prophet, Priest and King", we will answer how parents are to be "prophets, priests and kings" to their children.
c. V- What biblical values should we instill in our children? Twelve Godly values are given such as confidence in salvation, trust in God, stewardship, encouragement, covenantal marriage, joy and gratitude.
d. E- How should parents be encouragers of each other and of their children? How does biblical discipline of our children become a type of encouragement toward good deeds?
e. N- What are the noises (distractions) that keep us from fulfilling our covenantal duties as parents?
f.  A- What attitudes have we picked up from the world which have become barriers to our parenting?
g. N- What are the names of our Covenant God that help to remind us as parents not to give up? How can the meaning of our children's names help them in becoming strong in spirit?
h. T- How can parents redeem the time given to them to train their children in the instruction and admonition of the Lord?

2. How will these seminars be taught?
We will generally stay within the two day-Friday evening, Saturday half-day morning format: 12 1/2 hours Friday night (7-9:30 PM) and 3 1/2 hours Saturday morning (9 AM - 12:30 PM) or all day Saturday. We will still be available to answer questions about our "Bible Building Blocks of the Faith" curriculum and can stay over and teach an adult class Sunday morning on "Biblical Parenting". IN other words, we can customize the seminar to the church's specific needs. The size of the group can be as large as the church can comfortably accommodate (several parents to several hundred).

3. Who would benefit from these seminars?
Obviously busy parents searching for answers to their parenting questions, but also teachers, administrators of Christian Education, Teenagers, grandparents and even members of God's church who desire to help parents to fulfill their God-given roles. Single parents will also be given hope and understanding of their unique roles.

4. How much would a parenting seminar cost the church?
This might be your first question (or at least your pastor's or church leadership's first question!) The church or requesting group must pay for transportation (normally for two people - a husband and wife), food and lodging (in a home or mote/hotel whatever the church prefers). As far as an honorarium is concerned we leave this to the individual church. CMI is a not-for-profit, "faith-based" organization that relies on contributions from its friends to function.

5. Who will be teaching these seminars?
Ordained men (as experienced pastors or elders) and their wives (experienced teachers), CMI - staff parents, who have had successful and extensive experience with the parenting of children of all ages. This will normally be a husband and wife team. The same husband and wife team will have many years of experience in teaching with CMI materials as well as having grown children who are walking in faith.

6. What is your next step?
If you believe your church would benefit from such a seminar, contact CMI toll free at 1-888-345-4264 (4CMI), email -  or use our web page - www.childministry.com. Have several dates in mind so that we may accommodate your needs.
 

     Being parents today in America's post-Christian culture is a challenge for any believer. The church stands in a position to assist the parents in their roles as "covenant keepers" in the home. We trust and pray that CMI may also help you understand and, more importantly fulfill your roles as godly parents and members of His church. As we face this new millennium may God grant us the willingness to instruct our children in God's ways.