BEFORE YOU COME!
I’m a Bible-Believing Christian before anything else...This includes being a dad. Having tasted and seen that the Lord truly is good within my own life; my insatiable desire for Ayden and Aubrey to grow into a saving knowledge of Jesus resides center most in my prayers. It's the only reality that will stand the test of time. Truly, there is nothing more important in life than a biblically sound, robust theology on what it means to be justified, adopted, and sanctified; especially when our most precious (children) are involved. Of course in a language they can understand :-)
As a former student ministries pastor, I have witnessed “the sufferings” that comes affixed to many young people's faith...that for a plethora of reasons...have been choked out by a malnourished understanding of the one true Gospel; which is founded upon a fascinatingly-peculiar type of grace only God can lovingly unlock. Witnessing this painful epidemic breaks my heart.
Therefore, it is important for you to know that we (the Rachal's) teach our children that ONLY God saves.
Instead, I teach them about God's providential...predestined plan of redemption and the scandalous adoption story of a people who are underserved but yet were chosen through the blood-bought gift of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Indeed, this is hard teaching.
So for the purposes of Aubrey’s celebration, I wanted you to know clearly what we teach and would talk about. This celebration is about Aubrey’s decision to follow Christ... NOT a celebration that she “got saved”. For there is no special prayer or gimmicky creed I can lead her in that eventuates her eternal destination. The test through fire, time, and gospel-centered fruit will ultimately reveal the genuineness of my baby girl’s faith. So we are careful about how we navigate affirmations at such a young age to our children. I personally affirm the desire/pursuit for Christ and rest ultimate proclamations of eternal security for Christ to announce to my children at the matured time He allows... And I find great rest in letting God be "Savior".
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE!
This is an incredibly joyous occasion of a young girl’s affections being stirred up in such a manner that provides evidence that God is at work in her! This will be a happy occasion where we each get the opportunity to affirm Aubrey's outward proclamation of wanting to follow Jesus with ALL her heart. And I can’t wait to affirm to her that God has an eternally blissful plan for those who hold fast to Him!
Obviously, I will not talk at this level during the celebration. I will communicate these realities in a life-giving and appropriate way for her age. Ultimately, the purpose is to MAKE MUCH of her independent decision as she articulated that Bible stories and going to church are no longer enough for her...she desires a living relationship with Him. Praise Christ!
I’ve been accused of being long-winded. That's ok. :) In a time where American Christianity becomes less and less Christ-centered, I wanted to be clear about what we are doing so as not to unintentionally offend any of you whom Jillian and I love and greatly respect. Perhaps this celebration for Aubrey will stir up questions for you and your family? I know it already has with our son Ayden... And prayerfully one day the Lord will move his heart; and we will be celebrating his unique and personal decision as well....all in God’s perfect timing... And I'm so comfortable with His timing... so pressure-there is not-for my baby boy).
Hoping you are able to attend this occasion. For there is no greater celebration outside of Easter that we could possibly invite you to.
Grace and Peace,
Brandon K. Rachal
As a former student ministries pastor, I have witnessed “the sufferings” that comes affixed to many young people's faith...that for a plethora of reasons...have been choked out by a malnourished understanding of the one true Gospel; which is founded upon a fascinatingly-peculiar type of grace only God can lovingly unlock. Witnessing this painful epidemic breaks my heart.
Therefore, it is important for you to know that we (the Rachal's) teach our children that ONLY God saves.
- We cannot save ourselves.
- Mommy and daddy cannot save you.
- The church cannot save you.
- Your pastor cannot save you.
- Reading the Bible cannot save you.
- Doing the right things and being a good person cannot save you.
- Not even prayer apart from God can save you.
Instead, I teach them about God's providential...predestined plan of redemption and the scandalous adoption story of a people who are underserved but yet were chosen through the blood-bought gift of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Indeed, this is hard teaching.
So for the purposes of Aubrey’s celebration, I wanted you to know clearly what we teach and would talk about. This celebration is about Aubrey’s decision to follow Christ... NOT a celebration that she “got saved”. For there is no special prayer or gimmicky creed I can lead her in that eventuates her eternal destination. The test through fire, time, and gospel-centered fruit will ultimately reveal the genuineness of my baby girl’s faith. So we are careful about how we navigate affirmations at such a young age to our children. I personally affirm the desire/pursuit for Christ and rest ultimate proclamations of eternal security for Christ to announce to my children at the matured time He allows... And I find great rest in letting God be "Savior".
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE!
This is an incredibly joyous occasion of a young girl’s affections being stirred up in such a manner that provides evidence that God is at work in her! This will be a happy occasion where we each get the opportunity to affirm Aubrey's outward proclamation of wanting to follow Jesus with ALL her heart. And I can’t wait to affirm to her that God has an eternally blissful plan for those who hold fast to Him!
Obviously, I will not talk at this level during the celebration. I will communicate these realities in a life-giving and appropriate way for her age. Ultimately, the purpose is to MAKE MUCH of her independent decision as she articulated that Bible stories and going to church are no longer enough for her...she desires a living relationship with Him. Praise Christ!
I’ve been accused of being long-winded. That's ok. :) In a time where American Christianity becomes less and less Christ-centered, I wanted to be clear about what we are doing so as not to unintentionally offend any of you whom Jillian and I love and greatly respect. Perhaps this celebration for Aubrey will stir up questions for you and your family? I know it already has with our son Ayden... And prayerfully one day the Lord will move his heart; and we will be celebrating his unique and personal decision as well....all in God’s perfect timing... And I'm so comfortable with His timing... so pressure-there is not-for my baby boy).
Hoping you are able to attend this occasion. For there is no greater celebration outside of Easter that we could possibly invite you to.
Grace and Peace,
Brandon K. Rachal