Let’s reflect for a moment on parenting: We know it’s so important…though at times it feels seemingly impossible. Let’s realize we won’t be impeccable, but remember we can be intentional. That’s the theme of this year’s Summit: Intentional Parenting. That word intentional means deliberate, thoughtful, purposed, we could include prayerful, and certainly focused--keeping your eye on the goal. And our goal as parents is to love our children toward a relationship with Christ. And the church exists to support and surround us in this.

Scripture’s instructions to parents are pretty general and straightforward: Discipline your children without exasperating or discouraging them. Model the faith and set an example, being worthy of the respect children are instructed to have for their parents. Teach and train and talk with them about God and His truth. Like so many of Scripture’s directives, these are simply applied love--faith’s first principles of love applied to parenting. “Let love be your greatest aim…” (1 Cor. 14:1) That’s both our WHY and our HOW—love. It’s what we need first and most from our Heavenly Father, and it’s what our kids can spend a lifetime receiving from us.

-Rob