Welcome to this issue of Equip for Ministry. We believe this is an unusually good and important issue for those of you involved in your local church ministry. We have selected articles, books and other resources that we believe you will want to have before you as you minister from the pulpit, in the classroom, in mercy ministries, during Bible studies or whatever your particular ministry may be.

One of the key parts of Christian Education and Publications’ ministry, especially to the rising generation, is through the Sunday school. While there appears to be a downward trend in Sunday school attendance across the nation, we are pleased that attendance in PCA churches is on the incline. One of the reasons for this incline is most PCA members understand both formal and informal Christian education are essential in making kingdom of God disciples. Plus, God has given us an excellent curriculum to place in the hands of our local teachers and Christian education personnel.

In the lead article, Tom Patete, Executive Director of Great Commission Publication and a teaching elder in the PCA, writes about that ministry. The Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, through their respective Christian education committees, jointly own and sponsor this curriculum. I do not hesitate to say that it is the most biblically reformed curriculum that I know of today. It follows a scope and sequence that helps disciple children and youth in a kingdom manner.

At least sixty percent of our PCA churches use the GCP curriculum in part or as a whole. Other supporting resources are available for integration in the program. That curriculum is presently undergoing a change in design, from a three-year cycle to a two-year cycle to follow a current trend. Contact the CE&P office to schedule one of our trainers to train your church in that transition or to assist teachers to use that curriculum effectively. Also at some point in the not-too-distant future, GCP plans to transition to the ESV (the English Standard Version) translation of the Bible. Being a more word-for-word translation and more in the style of the Revised Standard Version, we believe this will make Bible memorization easier along with the general results of using this good and reliable translation. The story behind the joint venture and partnership has been one of testimony to the grace of God. It reflects our taking seriously the God-given responsibility to make kingdom disciples.

Our baptismal vows remind us that making kingdom disciples of God’s covenant children requires intentional and purposeful involvement not only of the parents but also the adults in the church family. We encourage this home and church cooperation and coordination because we believe our covenant theology requires such an effort.

In the “Equip Tip,” Bob Edmiston reminds us of the importance of baptism in the life of the church. We featured this topic earlier this year and in this issue, Bob Edmiston develops another important aspect of this covenantal sacrament. Jesus connects baptism and the disciple making process. Calvin looked at baptism as the beginning of the discipleship process. It has so many definite implications for Christian education but we often need to be reminded of the connection.

I encourage you to read the article on Presbyterian Youth of America, especially the testimonies of some of the young people who participated in this year’s event. Your heart will be blessed as you read. You will also find in this issue several items of general interest regarding our Christian education ministry. Upcoming conferences are included for your prayers and planning to participate. Other resources are included in the advertising sections.

There are several key and important books that we have chosen to review. There are many good books that space does not allow us to comment on here; therefore, our website, bookstore catalogue, and toll-free assistance are available to assist our readers.

Because our next five-year focus is on making kingdom disciples, we have included Kingdom Come by Allen Wakabayashi. You will definitely want to read this book. It reminds us of the need to know what we are doing when we pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We need to have that kingdom focus on the Christian life. We have also included a book by Alister McGrath, The Future of Christianity, because Christians are not only called to be students of the Word, but of the world as well. McGrath’s insights are important in order to understand some of events taking place in our world today. One Faith by J.I. Packer and Thomas Oden attempts to show how those of different theological leanings within the evangelical world can and should learn how to experience a unity of faith that will show the church’s oneness to the world. This is a frequently discussed topic among Christians today, especially in the PCA.

Hollywood Worldviews is another book chosen for review because of the powerful influence of the media upon our thinking and lifestyle. This, as well as the above titles, deserves an entire article on each but I encourage you to read and study this book. The book Who Made God will help you know how to understand and articulate answers to key questions that people ask about God and the Christian life. Finally, Walking Away From the Faith will make you think a bit about your personal faith in God and how that faith has been rejected by some who once professed to believe. It raises questions and challenges us not to be discouraged in our own faith when someone we know leaves the faith.

As you read through this issue please remember that Equip for Ministry and Christian Education and Publications is not about us. It is about God. We are here to serve his purpose to this generation. Our desire is to please him in all that we do which includes serving you and meeting your needs in the area of Christian education and discipleship.

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