Some of you know that Nancy loves word puzzles--especially crossword puzzles. I couldn't begin to count how many hours she has pored over small, obscure and ancient words--trying to figure out the name of an ancient Assyrian coin or something of comparable earth-shaking significance. Well, she ran out of crosswords and tried an anacrostic yesterday--and then laughed when the solution emerged. It read, All species of jackals and the coyote live in close-knot family groups which forage for any food they can find. When a litter of pups is born all the jackals in the family will help to look after them and bring food for them back to the den. Her laughter was that those words seemed to describe our present situation vis a vis the addition of Colette to our family. I continue to make trips out for all sorts of big and small things--and dutifully bring them back to the den... And all care for each other. I can not imagine how a single mom (or dad) could begin to do what is needed to give a newborn child what God placed it in need of... While I am not a Hillary fan, I do agree strongly that it takes a village to raise a child.

And I believe that this is what the church is--a village within which people of all ages can both be cared for and care for each other. Being new to the Greensboro area, one of the things Emily and Steve are looking for is a church home, a people to share the tasks that lie ahead for them. Clarkston and Calvin were that home for Emily and JJ, and Nancy and I are eternally grateful for those of you in those churches who did that work of loving, praying, teaching, leading, and putting up with them--and out of love for them, for Nancy and me, and for the Lord. The church is a miracle, and in our broken world, a world where families are being ripped apart, it is needed miracle...

Having a granddaughter and carrying her around reminds me of the many times I have been privileged to hold a small child and walk down the center aisle of the church, introducing that child to the congregation before a baptism or dedication. When I have done that I have done it as a representative of the church, and as you have been there to witness you have been that church. The vows that you have made on these occasions are sacred vows--they are vows to be that village. And they are vows that you have kept as you have provided love, staff, facilities and encouragement to the children. I think of many people, Warren Hewitt for example, people who know the importance of children and give immense time and talent to them. Some of my happiest times at Clarkston were with the children at our weekly afternoon KC&M (kids, crafts and music), and the times with children at Calvin in Logos and Camp Calvin kept that joy bubbling. All ages are important, but children are in some ways the most needy, and they are among the most dependent on others. And the church is that others--for God's sake.

While I am not supposed to interfere with the future of Calvin and its choice of future leadership, I will dare to remind those who make those decisions that the leader must love the children. When I mentor future pastors who have young children, as I have done for Fuller Seminary, I often tell them that they should not even consider accepting a call to a church or continuing long in a position at a church if that church does not demonstrate in tangible ways a love for their children. Paul counseled his mentoree Timothy about the importance of his family, and I say the same. That is from the pastors side, but from the side of the church, while it may not appear on lots of resumes, discerning the way a candidate sees and relates to children is something that is very unwise to overlook.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. This is one of the most basic tasks of the family, and of the church as well...
In His Adventures, Will Ackles