“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
As several within our church family know, I have been engaged in a Doctor of Ministry program (DMIN) for the last few years. In the Spring of 2020, I completed all the required course work for this degree. What is left is to complete my thesis project and dissertation. The focus of my work is to equip and empower parents of all ages to be faith leaders within the family. This extends to parents of all ages with children of all ages. I believe it is crucial that congregations realize the importance of families growing together in faith and their relationship with Christ. Truly, I do not have to look far to see how a parent can struggle with such faithful practice.
While raising my own children, I would love to say I was the picture of the ideal parent. Like so many, Angela and I struggled with balancing things between the secular world and the church. Travel sports teams and other public school events pulled us in several directions, but mostly they would attempt to pull us away from our life of faith. Still, as I watch my oldest son teaching his children, I soon realize there were many things I could have and should have done differently.
As a father, I certainly missed many opportunities to be a faith teacher for my kids. As I search for a reason, I quickly realize that I never learned how to become the faith leader for my family. Back then there was little emphasis placed on equipping parents for the spiritual fight against the powers of the world, even today there are few resources provided parents mired within this struggle. Now as a pastor, I pray that I can help parents become models of faith for their children, especially for their adult children and grandchildren. Doing so means owning up to those times when we recognize that, as parents, we have fallen short in keeping our
baptismal promises made on the behalf of our children.
Admitting such is not pleasant, but once understood, an awareness of God’s loving grace envelops parents and we soon realize the treasure trove of guidance we have through the words of Holy Scripture and the love and support network of the fellowship of believers. God’s compassionate empowerment is there at the ready for anyone who would ask.
Given my many years of service within the Church, and through life experiences and the lessons I have learned from others, my hope is that the children (of all ages) of St. Jacob’s will grow in faith and fellowship with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that parents will feel they have been equipped to become models of faith for their children.
As my DMIN Work continues, it is my prayer that the fruit of four years of doctoral study will produce helpful resources through which I am able to offer pastoral support for families struggling against the powers that continue in their attempt to pull God’s children away from a life of faith.
If you have ever wondered “Why don’t my children want to come to church?” Or if you have adult children that seem to have fallen away from the good habits of Christian life, I invite you to come along on this journey with me. Part of doctoral work within the church is engaging people in their faith, meeting them where it matters and doing the work of the gospel together.
This is truly an issue that lies at the heart of your pastor. It is my prayer that God would grant me the wisdom, insight, and patience to see it through. I know he will for as my favorite Bible passage states, “He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
