Children’s Ministry and Seventh Generation Toilet Paper?
by Pastor Jason Hinton
When our family lived overseas, we realized that some things were more complicated and some things were simpler. When we returned to the States for a visit, we realized that some things were unexpectedly complicated. Reverse culture shock is a real thing! Back in the States, one thing that was surprisingly complicated was grocery shopping. While part of it was simple (we could read the labels and were familiar with most everything on the shelf), what was especially complicated was the number of choices! Choosing a box of cereal, a bottle of shampoo, or a brand of pasta was somewhat stressful because there were SO MANY OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM. Complicated!
While stressing out about which kind and what quality of toilet paper to buy, I noticed a brand called “Seventh Generation Toilet Paper.” What a name! That certainly caught my attention, and for a few moments at least I was relieved of the stress of “too many options.” What does “seventh generation” have to do with paper products, and how did this lead me to think about God’s heart for children?
The commitment of “Seventh Generation” products is the following: “in every deliberation, we must consider our impact on the next seven generations.” Clearly this is an attempt to create paper products that are safe, effective, and support environmental sustainability in a way that will have a positive impact even until the seventh generation. That is long-term thinking and commitment! Well done! Immediately, my mind wandered away to the big and small ministry decisions that we make. Do we think long term at all? Often, in our ministry deliberations, we barely think about the implications for next year much less for the next generation… or the seventh generation. I don’t remember which kind of toilet paper I ended up buying, but I was challenged in my mind and heart to think strategically, intentionally, and with long-term commitment related to the next generation of believers, and beyond.
Question: At First Alliance Church, and in partnership other churches that meet in our building, how are we “deliberating” and making decisions considering the impact on the next generation? The second, and even the seventh generation from now? What sort of investment are we making so that the “saddest verse in the Bible” doesn’t repeat itself on our watch? As we think holistically about evangelism and discipleship here at First Alliance, let me challenge each one who calls FAC their home church to consider not if, but how, you can be a part of investing in the next generation. This is for everyone, not just the staff and not just a select few who enjoy working with children!
As in most any ministry in the church, an easy model for engagement is built around three foundational things: 1) PRAYING, 2), GIVING, and 3) GOING! While we will flesh out opportunities to invest in children’s and youth ministry by GIVING and GOING soon, I would like to firstly ask you to consider committing PRAYING for our children’s and youth ministry at FAC. Prayer must be at the heart of anything significant that we want to do for God. Beyond a generic commitment to pray, would you consider joining a PRAYER TEAM, receiving weekly updates and prayer requests specific to our children and youth? If you have read this far, please take time to consider being a part of this strategic prayer team, and seeing how God continues to build a ministry team here at FAC whose spiritual investment will impact the next, and even the seventh, generation from now!
For more information, or to express interest in joining the prayer team, please reach out to Jason Hinton at: JHinton@1stalliancechurch.com.