Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Raising Christians

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A brother pastor, Rev. Christopher Thoma, from Heartland, MI, recently shared the following observations from 32 years of teaching Confirmation Classes to the young people of his congregation, and I believe his words are an incredible reminder for all of us. Rev. Thoma wrote,

I just realized I’ve been teaching confirmation classes for 32 years now. I don’t want to pass the buck, but looking back over the years, I think I can say with relative certainty that a child’s future departure from the faith is, more often than not, already embedded in the catechesis taking place in the home long before he ever sets foot in my confirmation class.

In particular, I’ve learned that few things predict a child’s continuing life in the faith more than the value his parents place on worship. Indeed, faithful worship attendance is unquestionably central to faith’s formation. And yet, for many parents, it’s the first thing sacrificed.

But there’s something else to keep in mind. Remember that part of faith’s formation is learning to resist the devil, the world, and the sinful nature, which are working overtime to pull all of us away from Christ—from His faith-strengthening Word and gifts and life together in the Church. A child cannot resist that pull with less of these things. He needs more.

That said, when I think about the kids who were confirmed in the faith here at Our Savior over the years but later fell away, I feel a great sadness. And yet, part of my point is that no honest onlooker should expect a pastor’s confirmation class to undo in a few short years what has been preached and practiced in the child’s home since birth. We try our darndest. But in the end, even the best confirmation class cannot out-catechize mom and dad.

What one should take away from these observations is that the parents have the greatest influence in teaching their children the faith. If parents want their children to be raised in the faith, first they need to be in church, mother and father. Secondly, every home needs to be a home where God’s Word is read, prayed, and sung.

If you need help or support in raising children in the faith, don’t hesitate to contact me. I don’t have all the answers, but I will do my best to support you in the endeavor of raising Christians.

In Christ,
Pastor Rogness