Children & Families Ministry Symposium
Location:
Parkville The papers from this highly successful Symposium are now available for distribution. Presenters included Peter Ackland, Beth Barnett, Richard Mallaby and Alison Sampson.
Find the papers as a pdf document below...
Peter Ackland - Pastoral Care of Childhood
Peter Ackland is a graduate of Whitley College (2008 & 2010) and a member of a team of dedicated volunteers that leads the primary school children's program at Mill Park Baptist Church.
Synopsis
Exploring Biblical Perspectives on the innocence, salvation and blessing of childhood, reviewing Historical, Developmental and Theological Perspectives on childhood and reflecting on models of Pastoral Care – including interventionist, program, welfare, therapeutic, spiritual appreciation and healthy Christian family & community models – this paper invites a reconsideration of Pastoral Care models in the light of a developing theology of childhood.
Beth Barnett - The Child in 1 Corinthians 13
Beth Barnett is the Baptist Union of Victoria's Children & Families Ministry Facilitator, a prolific writer of reseources and mother of two fantastic boys. Beth is involved in the teaching of numerous units relating to Children & Families ministry across a variety of theologica institutions.
Synopsis
Flowing from Paul’s attending to the discourses of status and valuation that preoccupied the Corinthian community, the place of discourses of rationalism, developmentalism and spiritualisation in creating a powerful cultural conversation that shapes Western identity and theology is noted. In Paul’s placing the image of the child in the midst of this conversation – without romanticizing, idolizing or idealizing childhood - a positive model is offered for us. In choosing the child, the question of status is replaced by the question of relationship.
Richard Mallaby - Exploring children's spiritual expression of wonder
I minister with children at the Box Hill Baptist Church, currently researching ‘Children and Gardening’. My background in agricultural and environmental science, along with theology influences my ministry. I am married with three children and one grandson. I enjoy gardening, renovating and sailing.
Synopsis
In seeking to engage children in a full and rich experience of life and depth of relationship with God, self and others I have discovered the significance of involving children in gardening, care of animals and play in natural surroundings. Children offered the opportunity of ‘attending’ to their surroundings, play in safety to extremes and fully engage their senses in the out-door world experience wonder, excitement and joy. Maria Montessori and others describe this as a spiritual expression. Aside from the health benefits of being out doors children gain a greater awareness of self in relationship with other, recognition of beauty, greater sense of place and belonging and empathy as they exercise creativity and imagination. Children are less stressed and empowered to offer hospitality and healing to our earth that is currently experiencing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem breakdown.
Alison Sampson - Children, Agency, Worship and Pastoral Care
Alison Sampson studied theology at Whitley College, and worships with the South Yarra Community Baptist Church. She lives with her husband and three young children and, in between the nappies and the dishes, writes about everyday life at www.theideaofhome.blogspot.com. Her writing has also appeared in The Age, Eureka Street, Meanjin and Zadok.
Synopsis
The concept of the priesthood of all believers underpins the participation of children in worship. Whether or not they are baptised, children who are part of the life of the church are regarded as members of the priesthood; as such they have pastoral and ministerial gifts to share. Like adults, they have a need to worship God; and as catechumens, they need to learn about faith.
By being enabled to participate fully in the worship service, children have an opportunity to share some of their gifts; they are encouraged to engage in worship; and they learn the patterns of the faithful.
Chris Barnett (on behalf of Judyth Roberts) - Godly Play, the State of Play
Judyth Roberts is the Children and Families Ministry Consultant Board of Education Synod of NSW and the ACT. Judyth is currently leading a trip to the UK that includes exploring the Greenbelt Festival and participating in further Godly Play training. As a consequence, Chris Barnett - the Children & Families Facilitator for the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania - will present her report.
Synopsis
In late 2009 a Godly Play study trip was undertaken by Judyth in the US and the UK. The primary goal of the study trip was to be able to reflect on her experiences and recommend to the Uniting Church in Australia ways that Godly Play may be nurtured and implemented in the Australian church context. If Godly Play is able to provide a powerful way to engage children’s spirituality, through a focus on scripture, ritual and worship, then it is important that we collaborate with others to develop a Godly Play network in Australia.
