role and response of the church child advocacy: the church's mandate in childcare by jacques...

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THE CHURCH’S MANDATE TO THE CHURCH’S MANDATE TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDRENTAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN

Exodus 2:9Exodus 2:9Jacques Masiko

Africa Renewal Ministry

TAKE THIS CHILD AND NURSE HIM TAKE THIS CHILD AND NURSE HIM FOR ME…FOR ME…

Exodus. 2:9Exodus. 2:9 Myles Munroe in his book,

"Understanding Your Potential" says, “Everything in life was created with potential and possesses the potential principle. All humans were created with limitless credit, but seldom draw to their full potential”.

DEFINITION OF POTENTIALDEFINITION OF POTENTIAL

By definition, Myles Munroe defines potential as:o Dormant ability, reserved power, untapped strength,

unused success, hidden talents, capped capability.o It is all you can but have not yet become.o It is all you can do but not yet done.o It is how far you can reach but not yet reached.o It is` what you can accomplish but have not yet

accomplished.o Potential is unexposed ability and latent power.

Stakeholders in intervention levelsStakeholders in intervention levels

Hebrew midwives – Shiphrah and Puah Exodus 1:15-22

Jochebed - Moses’ mother Exod. 2:1-3Miriam - Moses’ sister Exod. 2:4-8Pharaoh’s daughter – Exod. 2: 5-10

PotentialPotential- It is all you can be but have not yet - It is all you can be but have not yet become.become.

It is said of Abraham Lincoln that:o He lost his job 1832o Was elected to the legislature 1834,o Suffered death of his sweetheart 1834;o Suffered nervous breakdown 1834;o Was defeated for speaker of the state legislature 1838;o Was defeated for nomination for Congress 1843, was elected for

Congress 1846;o Was rejected for a position of office 1849;o Was defeated for Senate 1854;o Was defeated for nomination for Vice-President of USA 1856;o He again was defeated for the senate 1858,;o He was elected the president of USA 1860

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Biblical Mandate for the ChurchBiblical Mandate for the Church

Our mandate comes from Scripture: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”

(Proverbs 31:8-9, NIV).

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““Do two walk together Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3:3Amos 3:3

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ObjectivesObjectives

Explain the biblical mandate for the church to minister and advocate for children.

Identify and analyse gaps in church involvement toward child advocacy and possible interventions to initiate or increase involvement.

Demonstrate individual and collective commitment to child advocacy, through a prayer commitment ceremony.

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Believers (church) ought to knowBelievers (church) ought to know …..…..They are God’s hands,

His arms,His voice for those who are in

need.

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The Role of the churchThe Role of the churchTo do advocacy by speaking up against

injustice.Defending the cause of the poor.Holding those in power to be accountable.Empowering people to speak up for

themselves.

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The Role of the churchThe Role of the church

Why did God raise advocates in Bible times? 1 Kings 3:16-27

What qualities does God look for in a man or woman whom he will use to speak and act on behalf of the children and those who are suffering and needy?

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Why church?Why church?

The church is the catalyst for social change in the community.

The church is a God-appointed channel for ministry to children and families.

The church brings local understanding and resources.

It can also offer vision, ownership, and a long-term commitment to the child development process.

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Why Church?Why Church?

God has a special place of the church in His Kingdom (Eph. 3:20,21).

BecauseThe church is mandated and

commissioned.

Matt. 28:19-20

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Why is the care of children the Why is the care of children the responsibility of the church?responsibility of the church?

1. Only the church can respond to the needs of the whole person. Luke 2:52

(Our expectation and prayer is that all the children under our influence will also grow in these four areas)

2. God hears the cry of the children. Gen.21:17

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God hears the children cryingGod hears the children crying Gen.21:17Gen.21:17

What can we learn from this story about God’s intervention for children?

God hears the children cry. God speaks from heaven.. whom does he send? God asks about the problem.. (what is the matter

Hagar?) God encourages those who care for children…

(don’t be afraid)

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God hears the children cryingGod hears the children crying

God gives instructions on caring for children…(lift up the boy…relief activity.. physical, emotional, moral).

(take him by hand .. Developmental work) God makes promises about children. Gen 21:18 God opens our eyes to resources. Gen.21:19 God becomes a friend. Gen.21:20

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3.Caring for children dispels disbelief

1 Kings 17:17-24 Woman had faith that provoked miracle Elijah provides resources. Caring for children requires living in upper room. Caring involves living with children. Watch out for crisis and respond accordingly

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Caring for children dispels disbelief cont’d… Involves prayer and taking action. V20 Involves crying out to the Lord. v21 The Lord responded to the cry. V21-23 The Lord resurrected the boy (gave back life) Elijah picked up the child in his arms. Gave back the child to mother.. (your son is alive)

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4. Because only the church can remove the curse. Mal. 4:6

It is not a secret that as we work and walk among the poor, many of these places have been stricken with a curse.

It is not a surprise that the hearts of the children are not turned to the fathers nor the hearts of the fathers turned to the children.

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Note:

A curse is not removed by providing food and medicines, blankets and clothing.

Not removed by providing school supplies, top up fees more learning opportunities such as university education.

A curse is a spiritual matter and it is only the church and Christian believers who can address the problem of sin – the true root cause of poverty.

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An International problemAn International problem

4/27/2004 7

An International ProblemStatus Of Children In Sub-Saharan Africa

Presented at EFOC Consultation, Nairobi,May 2003

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Do we see children as Do we see children as the Lord sees them?the Lord sees them?

Today children are subjected to:

Drugs Crime Violence Pornography Child labour False teaching

Alcoholism Videos – Blues Defilement Child Soldiers HIV/AIDS Sacrifice

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•120,000 child soldiers below 15 yrs

•Since 1990, 2 mill. killed and 6 mill. injured in wars

CHILD

CHILD

SOLDIERS

SOLDIERS

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Lack of medical care

Physical/ sexual Abuse

Sickness / disease

NegligenceDEATHDEATHChild sacrifice

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STARVATION

STARVATION

Starvation:

• 38%of Sub-Sahara

Africa’s Children are

malnourished

3 million newborns

are underweight

one third of people

lack sufficient food

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STREET STREET

CHILDREN

CHILDREN

Street children

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In case words are not enoughIn case words are not enough

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Almost every day, stories are told in the Almost every day, stories are told in the media how children are abusedmedia how children are abused

Old men defile minors Child sacrificeThen why are children given such low

priority? Sunday school vs. Sunday gathering. Church budget 1% (most no budgets) Bible colleges: there is hardly any inclusion

of children in Bible students syllabus.

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The key responsibilities of the church are to evangelize, nurture and serve. Compassion’s desire to be Christ – centered requires that one ministry focus of Compassion is the evangelism and nurture of children.

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What will you be remembered for?What will you be remembered for?Why evangelize Children?

Prov. 22:6Psalms 51:5Deut. 6:6-7Mt. 18:14

Age of accepting Christ

0 – 3 years – 01%04 – 14 years –

85%15 – 35 years –

10%35 – 40 years –

04%

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The church is responsible to minister to the other two key influences of child’s life: family and community. Therefore, the church’s mandate is broader than Compassion’s.

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Why Partner with the Why Partner with the Church?Church?

A church is the custodian and champion of the divine set of values and beliefs that radically challenge and are diametrically opposed to the dominant forces prevalent in the world today. (Mt. 16:18).

Christian faith and values are about: Redemption Reconciliation And Hope

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ContinuationContinuation

Holding these values and beliefs compels the church to action, in order to change situations where people are in suffering and bondage.

Hope is critical in the force of suffering and despair, home can be found in Christ “… hope does not disappoint us for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. (Rom. 5:5).

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The church is made up of millions of people who should be:

Beacons of light (Mt. 5:13-16) Become passionate about helping others in needs.

The church is the only global movement with potential for changing things.

The church is present at all levels of society, local, regional and national. It’s global in scope.

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What is your What is your Role?Role?

Hear the cry of children, Ex. 3:7 Give prophetic voice, 1King 17:22, Ex. 37:4-5 Is the church playing a prophetic role?

What happens when we see dead bones? Corruption HIV

The church must go against status quo. 1King 17:19 – do we have upper rooms? Those who

have upper rooms do not fight with the enemy.

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The role of the The role of the churchchurch

The church need to take advantage (be strategic) of the 50% of the Africa population which is children and view it as its main investment.”

The church need to take advantage of age range of 4 – 14 (window) years that comprises 85% that make decisions for Christ. What a tremendous opportunity the church has. We often miss the target group and aim at those whose life span is well spent.

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The role of the The role of the churchchurchcont’dcont’d

The church need to change its attitude and make children’s ministry a priority

The church need to advocate for the voiceless. Lam.2:19

The church needs to open its arms and embrace the loveless and warm the cold hearts. (empathy) Mark 10:16

The church need to pour oils of love to the breeding wounds. Luke 10:34

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The church need to train Christian leaders that will pass on Christian values and be models since children learn by observation, imitation and participation.

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CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

The church must carry out a Prophetic and Evangelical roles. The church therefore must balance Evangelical Proclamation with Social action.

The church must go to slums. People under stress, high crime areas etc. Most times the church runs away from Frontline. Where action will be required, there shall the church be. This is integrity.

The Holy Spirit gives guidance as we pray to God to determine the direction the Lord wants us to use.

role and response of the church child advocacy: the church's mandate in childcare by jacques...

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