A Vision for Children and the Church

"A Vision for Children and the Church" was a response to a concern for the need for a systematic approach to ministering with and for children. Two basic principles guided the writing:

1. The statement was to articulate the status of children both in the world and in the church and to set forth a vision for the church’s response on their behalf.
2. The statement aimed not only to speak for children, but also to hear their voices and provide a way for them to speak for themselves. The intent was for the statement to be clear enough to be understood by a ten-year-old child. A draft was circulated in order to elicit responses from children.

Many children responded, with words and with art, about their hopes for the church and the world. Some of these responses are printed along with the statement itself in pamphlet form, available free from Presbyterian Distribution Service. Based on children’s responses, the statement was revised in order to make it more understandable and powerful. "A Vision for Children and The Church" was adopted by the 205th General Assembly (1993).

A Vision for Children and the Church

Because we affirm that all children are a gift of God, created by God and created good;

all children are a gift to the whole of the human community;

all children have a real faith, and gifts for ministry;

all children have the right to be children;

and all children are not just tomorrow, they are today.

Because we believe that all children depend upon adults for safety and security,

In a world that does not always value children;

All children are affected first and most deeply by those things that work against health and wholeness:

where there is disease, children sicken and die;

where there is homelessness, children sleep on the streets and in other dangerous places;

where there is war, children are frightened and without a safe place;

where the air and water are polluted, children feel the effect in their bodies and in their futures;

where there is shame, children’s spirits are wounded.

Therefore we hope for a world where all children can find a safe place;

where all ages, races, genders, creeds, and abilities are recognized, valued, and celebrated;

where all adults hear the voices of children and speak with as well as for them;

where all children have “first call” on the world’s resources and first place in the minds and hearts of the world’s adults.

Because Jesus welcomed children and encouraged us to welcome them in his name;

Jesus lifted up a child as an example of what the realm of God is like;

Therefore we hope for a church where we take seriously our baptismal vow to nurture all children committed to our care;

where we bring good news to all those places where children are in need;

where adults and children alike share in ministry.

We covenant to act so that this vision may be made real for all children, now and intimes to come.