Bern, Switzerland [CD EUDNews; Elsa Cozzi]. KID is an acronym for Kids in Discipleship, it is a concept, not a program, created by a father who rediscovered his parental responsibilities in life and in the spiritual development of his children.
Society becomes ever more hectic and demanding keeping families in continuous stress and tension. This distracts and weakens the influence of parents on their children. Increasing number of parents feel overwhelmed by the inability to build a healthy and satisfying relationship with their children. More and more parents complain about their inability to manage the generational conflicts and misunderstandings. In short, parents’ task seems to become more difficult with increasingly negative results. If this is the reality of modern society, we have to admit and accept that believing families are not exempt from these tensions. Obviously, the spiritual aspect is what suffers most.
Restoring balance and finding dialogue seem impossible. The Word of God reminds us that at a time like this it is important to work to "restore the hearts of the fathers (parents) to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6)
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 it is written: "And these commandments that I give you today shall be in your heart, teach them to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up."
As first glance, we can say that child rearing is done when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when to rise up. In practice it means that I have to model Christian attitude by my actions, my words, my work, every single day of my life. In other words, we teach 24/7 not only by speaking, but also by acting.
The project KID started with the aim of inviting parents to reclaim their role as spiritual guides, just what God had established and recommended: to make their children true disciples of Jesus.
The founder and current Executive Director of KID Ministry, Don MacLafferty, with the help of education experts, have developed a program to help parents and children on a path of discipleship. This concept does not refer to the mere transmission of religious practices or theoretical aspects of religious beliefs but to the active involvement of faith in daily family life.
The project KID first began in the Inter European region in November 2009. In almost five years it has been adopted by the majority of European countries, and has helped several families to re-establish their spirituality.
For several years now we have wanted to organize an event that would allow families who have gone through the project to meet together. This would also give opportunity to those who have not yet done so, to start this adventure.
The KID Convention, a first of its kind in the world, was founded with the objective of being a platform for meetings, exchange experiences, and designed to reinforce the spirituality dynamics in the family.
The date is May 1-4, 2014 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy), not far from Venice. There will be guest speakers and international education experts on childhood and adolescence as well as experts on religious education. Along with Don MacLafferty, there will also be Linda Koh and other KID Directors from other parts of the world. Together they will share decades of experience in KID Ministry.
Oriented to develop inter-generational family dynamics and community, the program provides time for sharing experiences within the KID project, practical workshops and interactive time of recreation and tourism. There are also plans for a visit to Venice. For all other information please visit: kid-convention Register on: kid-convention-registration
The invitation is open to all those who care to respond to the invitation of Jesus to make disciples. Our kids are no exception.
See you in Lignano!
pictures: 1. The KID logo; 2. Lignano Sabbiadoro (Wikipedia); 3. Elsa Cozzi, EUD Children's Ministries & Children's Sabbath School Director;
