Welcome to this issue of Equip for Ministry. As we worked on this issue together we are reminded that most of our children will return to school soon. Our lead article, as stated in the editor’s note, is a speech given by Joel Belz at a conference on Christian schooling and provoked some good discussion about education. Education, however one defines it, is a process that should be ongoing. One thing I admire about King David is, as he grew older, he continued to learn. Christians should always be learners because our knowledge is always incomplete.

What we learn and how we learn are important aspects of that process. One thing is clear—we are not teaching our young people to think abstractly or conceptually. Consequently, we are not teaching and training them to be discerning or critical. (I mean critical in the positive evaluation of thinking.) More studies remind us that we are not giving our children and youth the kind of framework needed to give them a right perspective on life.  

In Christian Smith’s book, and in two other recently reviewed books by Chap Clark and George Barna, the authors stress the one thing most needed by the young people, even by their own admission, is help in developing a way to understand life. Many studies with youth conclude they are not getting that kind of help. We need to teach our children who they are as God’s kingdom people and what the outworking of covenant relationships really means in their lives. We must see the need for church, home and school to work in concert to disciple God’s covenant children. Also, this gives us an opportunity to realize that making kingdom disciples is not something only the immediate family, or the church, or the school does in isolation from one another, but rather in tandem. There should be no tension among these three entities in making kingdom disciples. The book review Partnering with Parents will connect with this concept.

You will find a sequel in the “In Case You’re Asked” section to the response and review of the emerging church movement from the previous issue. The article is also built around a review of D. A. Carson’s book Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church.

The “Equip Tip” deals with knowing and transformation, a clear part of the kingdom discipleship framework. Bob Edmiston, consultant to CE&P, talks about knowledge, underscoring as we have done in Making Kingdom Disciples, that to really know something is life impacting and makes a difference. You will also find several articles of interest relating to recent CE&P conferences. We also honor Dr. Jack B. Scott, former staff writer and teacher for CE&P. Dr. Scott was recently presented a Festschrift, a celebration book, in his honor and a plaque by the PCA General Assembly expressing appreciation for his life and ministry among us.

We trust that you will find this Equip helpful. We are so pleased with the number of responses we have gotten both by e-mail and at the recent PCA Assembly from our readers. We encourage you leaders and teachers to be aware of resources available from CE&P to assist your ministry.

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