Covenant Children

When a child is baptized, the church vows with the parents to help them in the spiritual instruction of their children.  Baptism is the official sacrament that signifies entrance into the covenant body of believers.  We can read more about this covenant relationship in Calvin's Institutes (book 4 ch.16 #5, #9, and #30, etc.).  Also, Louis Berkhof in his Systematic Theology explains covenant theology succinctly.

This is wonderful stuff and all, but it does not imply that the church should share in the responsibility with the parent in raising those same children.  That is not the function of the church as I understand it - and I would resent it as an unwanted intrusion if not purposely sought for.

"Children obey your parents for this is right", is the first and greatest commandment we have one to another.  It is the first commandment with a promise, "that you may live long in the land".  It is the responsibility of believers to mutually encourage each other in the faith.  This we do when we come to church to hear the word of God.  But to suppose that this lets us off, in our own individual responsibility, to not approach God on a daily basis, is asinine.  It is similarly asinine to expect the church to raise and watch our children for us when we congregate together.  Or worse, to let them do whatever or go where ever they may wander while expecting no consequences.  But I am sure that everyone in the church are perfectly trustworthy.  We would like to think so.  But this is besides the point.  Parental responsibility never lets up.  Even when our children are grown and married, the next generation has need of the wisdom God has endowed us with as a result of, what I call, intentional parenting.  This is our ever present assessing and reassessing the needs, strengths and weaknesses in our children and then making purposeful steps that would most benefit them as our own skills and talents allow.

My children are my life's longterm mission endevor.  If parents are not properly i.e., intentionally parenting their own children, or are oblivious as to the whereabout of their own children, it is not the fault of the church when their covenant children go astray manifested by idiotic, repugnant and inappropriate behavior demonstrated amongst the people of God.  Furthermore, it is unfair and irresponsible to expect others to do what the parents can do better.  No one knows my children better than I do.  I know their needs, strengths and weaknesses better than anyone.  I am best qualified in teaching them and correcting them and far more influential than anyone in instilling within them the morals and spiritual fortitude that will last throughout their lives.

Not everyone has the same convictions as I do.  If I fail to properly instill my beliefs in my children, but I expose them to a wide variety of philosophies and belief systems without teaching them how to be discerning, then why should the church be held responsible for my failure when they walk away?  Our Lord will not turn to the church and condemn her; he will turn to the parents because they are the ones, ultimately, who were unfaithful in the dispensing of their charge before the Lord of raising godly seed for the kingdom (Malachi 2:15).  Instead they squander their responsibility away to others.  We are managers of the blessings He gives us.  It is a great privilege for God to bless parents with children.  It is a fearsome responsibility and we pray we remain faithful.

-Joe