Welcome to the first Equip for Ministry of 2004. While we plan each issue to keep you aware of Christian Education and Publications’ ministry in the PCA, we create each issue with you in mind. On the vertical axis, it is not about us but about God, and on the horizontal axis it is not about us but about you, the reader.

We select topics, news events, “Equip Tips,” advertising, and book reviews to minister to you. Our agenda is explained by our strategic plan and our motto. We are committed to “discipling God’s covenant people.” Toward this end, we have focused our efforts on training parents, grandparents, and other adults to seize the moment and reach out to and disciple the younger, rising generations.

God’s loves his covenant children and so do we. The results of a recent survey show that Sunday school attendance in the PCA is on the incline, in contrast to national trends. PCA youths are also involved in ministries that encourage and challenge us. Our prayer is that we as a church will take God’s covenant promises seriously. We pray regularly that God would raise up a generation of young people who are salt and light, who understand the Word of God, and who understand their world with a view that will bring transformation in many lives. Because the PCA’s theology is strongly covenantal, we want to see a consistency of practice and excitement throughout the church about the covenant promises, especially to our covenant children. They need to know early on what it means to be God’s covenant children. Once that happens, they know who they are because they know who God is, and they realize that they have a genuine sense of belonging to a covenant family.

CE&P is concluding its fifth year of emphasis on ministry to the millennial generation. As we expand our mission to focus on “kingdom discipleship,” we will include the rising generations. We believe that while making disciples focuses on covenant children it takes a trained, equipped, and caring adult generation to disciple them from the beginning. We pray there will be more and more covenant children who give the following testimony:  “I have never known a time when I did not trust in Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was taught to believe that at home, at church, and at school. I own it as my own testimony.”

The lead article by Dr. Robert Palmer, coordinator of church relations for CE&P, is an excellent précis on the covenant and ministry to children. Bob has assisted in training many adults to bridge with the millennial kids and establish encouraging relationships with them. He shares our burden to see our covenant children grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, and to gain a kingdom vision. A kingdom vision simply means, as Paul wrote to the Colossians, “In all things, Christ preeminent.” His article will be helpful for those who lack understanding about why we baptize covenant children.

The article in our “In Case You’re Asked” section expands on Palmer’s opening article, as I review a powerful book from over forty years ago. Also in this issue you will find several books in “Buy the Book” worth considering. Dean Conkel reviews two excellent books that will be helpful to those investing in young people. John Piper claims that Don’t Waste Your Life is his best book. The book on youth ministry will also. The review of City on a Hill will give some good basics on church growth and ministry from a biblically reformed perspective. Redeeming Pop Culture is an important book about the world around us. Live To Tell is a challenging shift in the disciple-making paradigm.

There are also some important news articles on CE&P’s training schedule that will draw people from all parts of the church. Plan now to register and participate. Testimonies from participants indicate an extremely positive experience in previous training sessions. If you are interested in an in-depth Bible software, BibleWorks is worth considering.

If you find this issue helpful and would like extra copies to pass on to a friend, call Allan McLean at the CE&P office with your request at 678-825-1154 or email him at amclean@pcanet.org. May God strengthen and equip you for better disciple making.

- Charles Dunahoo

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