THE ROLE OF A SPIRITUAL PARENT in the SDA CHURCH

                                              By  Prof. Rodreck Mupedziswa

  1. Introduction
  • Baptism is a proclamation that your sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.
  • Baptism is done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
  • In the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, baptism is by Immersion.
  • The SDA Church is facing a great challenge in regard to losing newly baptized members due to lack of nurture and social conservation.
  • Oftentimes newly baptised members are left without clear knowledge of expectations in their new faith; they are thrown into the deep=end, as it were.
  • Hence the need for sober spiritual parents/guardians has become even more apparent and urgent, as the world becomes more sin-sick and weirder.
  • There is even greater need today for the church, through robust spiritual parenting, to feed the newly baptised member with spiritual food; otherwise we continue to lose 0ur newly-baptised members.
  • Its no longer a question of the newly-baptised coming in the front-door and leaving via the back-door; apparently these days they come in the front door and leave via the front door.
  • Often church members witness the newly-baptised leaving the church, but do little in terms of intervention; hence the need for a robust spiritual-parenting “programme/initiative” in the church. There is need to do things the Christ-way.
  • “New-member retention”, ought to be the battle-cry for any Christian church worth its salt……otherwise we are in danger of attaining the label “Christians without Christ”.

 

  1. Spiritual Parenting in the Bible
  • Paul wrote: “I do not write these things to make you ashamed but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides to Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:14-15.
  • Paul reminded the church at Corinth that he was indeed their spiritual father, and they should imitate him.
  • Paul added that, as a spiritual parent, his role was to encourage and correct the Corinthians.
  • Apart from the Corinthians, Paul parented the Thessalonians too, playing the role of spiritual “ mother/father.”
  • In Thess 2:11, he observed thus, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children: (v12) encouraging , comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory”.
  • “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, we cared for you.”……imploring and encouraging.
  • It can be surmised the Apostle Paul acquitted himself admirably, playing the role of a spiritual parent. We too can do the same…………YES WE CAN.
  1.  Who Chooses Guardian/Spiritual Parent?
  • After a candidate is baptised, who is responsible for choosing a spiritual parent?
  • Ideally it is the church that ought to choose a suitable guardian for the newly baptised. Unfortunately the church ends up choosing an “unsuitable” parent because often times the church knows little about the backgrounds of its church members beyond church circles. This is why the church at times even assigns pulpit duties to “regular visitors” who are not baptised in the Adventist faith or who need rebaptism.
  • However, in some instances, the church will allow newly baptised individuals to choose their own spiritual parents. The newly-baptised may know little about the backgrounds of particular potential parents, which action might back-fire.
  • There are therefore advantages and advantages to using either approach. There is no easy solution to this apparent “catch-22” situation. Prayer, and more prayer is the answer.
    • ...

 

  1. Needs of a New Member
  • Relationship with Jesus. (First and foremost – this is most important – new member has to be helped cultivate a relationship with the Master).
  • Relationship with church members (New member needs mentor/coach/spiritual guardian), within the church. Lack of acquaintances pushes new members out of the church.
  • Relationship with the church as an organisation (e.g. The new member needs to be acquainted with church activities and programmes: from worship style, witnessing and evangelistic campaigns,  church building initiatives, etc.
  • Relationship with family and friends (Explaining new lifestyle to family, Sabbath keeping, Diet, No Alcohol, etc), may seem easy but ti can be a tall order. Hence a spiritual parent has to be alive to these needs of a newly-baptised member.
  • Note: Although newly baptised members must lean heavily on the Lord, they also need human support and encouragement. (Javan Harelimana, 2014).

 

  1. Purpose of Spiritual Parenting
  • Spiritual guardians/parents re-inforce positive values for belonging to the community of Seventh-Day Adventist believers.
  • The spiritual parent has a duty of nurturing the newly baptised member (i.e. care and protect).
  • Meeting the newly baptised member’s basic needs (at the spiritual level, but where possible, even at material level).
  • To give spiritual food to the newly baptised member which helps him/her to grow in all aspects of their being.
  • The spiritual parent’s role is to make the newly baptised what God wants them to be. One author says, that is their key and solemn role.
  • Another author gives the analogy pf an athlete: He says many athletes who lack a father figure end up ruined by drugs, for they will have no guiding authority or mentor to keep them on track. (Role of spiritual parent therefore cannot be over-emphasised)

 

  1. Issues to be Covered in Guardian/Child Relationship
  • What it means to be a Christian, particularly an Adventist Christian. Guard against becoming a Christian without Christ.
  • How an individual grows in Christian life (Bible Study; Prayer; Witnessing -These are the roots of thriving Christian life).
  • The history of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church.(The book Church heritage is a wonderful source
  • The 28 Fundamental beliefs (continue learning about these even after baptism).
  • Church organisation and programmes of the church (Explain to the new believer how the church is organised – that it’s not a sect, but a world-wide denomination.
  • What every member can expect from the congregation.
  • What the church expects from each and every new member.

 

  1. The Mentor Role
  • Newly baptized members need mentoring. Note that you can only “feed the flock (1Peter5:2), if you are well-fed. You can only mentor if you are well-equipped as far as the WORD is concerned.
  • The spiritual sponsor/parent/guardian is concerned about the well-being of their (newly-baptised) child.
  • Their role: Implore, encourage, care, love, share gospel based on Adventist doctrine.
  • Some commentators suggest the mentoring should go on for between one and three years.
  • Help and encourage the new member to discover and promote their talents within the church. What are they capable of doing - e.g. singing in the choir?
  • Acquaint and familiarize the newly-baptised member with a clear appreciation of the church programmes (Sabbath programmes, Wednesday prayers, Friday vespers, etc. Talk about the camp meeting among other activities in the church calendar).

 

  1. The Guardian Role
  • One author says, imagine growing without parents -how do you learn to walk/talk/eat/use bathroom etc? That’s the guardian role.
  • Spiritual parents guide, correct, encourage the newly-born child.
  • Take them through their first faulty steps, Do this with keen interest.
  • Fellowship hour (be there for the newly baptised) – at all times (in season and out of season -as it were.
  • Home visitations. Do visit them at home if convenient).
  • Provide prompt information about such challenges as illness, trouble.
  • Foster material as well as spiritual growth in the newly-baptised.

 

  1. Conclusion
  • The guardian/coach/mentor ought to instruct the newly baptised member on what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.
  • The newly baptised member will integrate fully into the church, if they receive proper mentorship from a dedicated spiritual.
  • Spiritual parenting is NOT about controlling the outcomes, the life of the newly-baptised.
  • A mature believer should do everything in their power to parent new believers.
  • APPEAL: Let us all aspire to inspire at least one newly baptised church member before the day comes for us to expire.
  • The more you feed others the more you get fed yourself.
  • Take care of God’s business and God will take care of your