Together with Children
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Together With Children is the blog of the Office of Child Advocacy.
Recent posts
- Media Violence is Violence, Too
- Fragile Children in Fragile Families
- Home: A Safe Place for Children?
- The Vanishing Culture of Civility
- When Violence Supercedes Dialogue
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Political Rhetoric or Respectful Dialogue?
September 10
This week’s theme in the Season of Peace is building on a solid foundation of respectful dialogue. It’s also Christian education week. What we do in community in our intentional educational programs is an important part of nurturing Christians of all ages to grow as disciples. But that is only one aspect—albeit a central one— of spiritual formation. The culture and its messages also have a powerful influence on who our children are becoming.
As peacemakers we seek to discern how to engage in respectful dialogue with those with whom we may strongly disagree. That stands in stark contrast to the heated rhetoric that characterizes the political season in which we are immersed. What messages are our children hearing about dialogue from those running for office? What kinds of exchanges do they witness in social media, on talk shows, or in political advertising? What do they overhear from their parents, church school teachers, and other significant adults? How do we work together to counter the mean spirited, destructive words that seem to surround us 24/7?
Today, pray for the discernment to engage others in dialogue about the critical issues impacting children that will be decided by this election. Open your heart to the movement of the Spirit in guiding you to speak clearly and with respect with those with a different political perspective.
- Posted at 3:21 p.m.
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