Frames give support. The whole purpose is that they keep their shape and maintain the structure of a project throughout the creation process. For example a weaving loom:
In their book "Weaving: A just future for Children, an Advocacy Guide" Diane C. Olson and Laura Dean F. Friedrich use the 3 part analogy of a loom to illustrate having a practical framework for children's ministry.
The first 3 chapters are focused on the loom, the actual frame, as a way to look at the theological implications. Chapter 1 "Seeing Children through God's Eyes" highlights how important it is to begin with theology. Consider this - how does your understanding of God, and the nature of God, affect what you think about and how you interact with children?
Here are some key points -
- Images of God help humans understand something about God, yet none is ever complete. Example, God is like a father, yet God is also like a mother, furthermore God is also like the wind. Scripture gives many wonderful and deep images. Just keep in mind, God never only... (God is not only an old white man, young white man, and bird.)
- The nature of God is love. Children are often blessed with the gift of authentically sharing this gift, allowing themselves to be used by God to touch others with God's love.
- Humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27, imago Dei). Yes, humans are created in the image of God, no our bodies aren't like God's. However, as the image of God, all humans have value.
- The coming of Christ in the incarnation further connects God directly with humans, and especially with children.
- The love of God, to be shown to our neighbors, creates a social responsibility to those who have not. If God loves creation and humans are a special part of that creation each having important value, Christians have a calling to speak out against injustice, especially to children.
The general church has responded to the state of child advocacy by encouraging churches to reach out and transform the lives of new generations of children.
The theology however, matters. For if Christians minister to children out of authentic love because they are God's creation, the relationship that can form has great potential. If the loom is not sound, there is no guarantee that the new fabric with work out. There is great risk in working with children without considering "where is God in this situation?". Some of these risks include objectifying children, demeaning their value, or demeaning them until they are "adults." This is in direct conflict with the concept that every person, regardless of age, is created in the image of God.
As I continue to reflect upon these thoughts and others from class and readings, I am struck by the importance of identifying my own framework and theology. It is so easy for me and a children's leader to focus on the colored aspect of the picture - the programming. What will we do? However, if this is not preceded by a general understanding of why it is done, does it create harm?
Who is this child in the eyes of God?
I ask myself - where is God in the life and play of this child?
What does culture tell me about children that affect my view of this child? Is that helpful or harmful? So many questions. Children are a magnificent part of the lives of many, with unique talents to share. Yet, we must take a moment to consider what our basic theology says about children. The frame matters. Theology matters. Why we treat others the way we do speaks volumes to what we believe about God.
Peace and joy,
your sister in Christ~Erin Michelle
No comments:
Post a Comment