Window Quarterly Vol. 3, No. 2, 1993 Copyright 1993 [Permission is granted to use, print, reproduce this article provided the following acknowledgment is given: From Window Quarterly 3, 2 (1993); ACRAG c. 1993. *** Parents and the Armenian Church by Martin Cholakian As a parent of two lovely daughters - one a nineteen year old college freshman and the other a nine year old third grader - I would like to share with you my expectations as a parent, from a pastor, a parish council and parish organizations and how they all interrelate in making up parish life. My experience as a father with my children range from football games at Spartan stadium in East Lansing to winter campouts with the Eskimo Tribe in Indian Princess'. But, first let me establish one premise. My children, through the public school educational process have been taught to "think critically." They have been exposed to an education system which encourages and promotes young people to say what they think, always question and certainly not follow blindly. They have been ingrained with the proposition that there are no limitations in their futures and as women of the 90's they can choose and become whatever they want to be. We have created a sense of oneness in our family. Each of us is a vital member of the unit with equal voice, yet my wife and I retain the leadership roll as parents. My wife and I learned at our children's baptism and confirmation that our children are possessions of God and we merely have them for a short time, to lead them to Christ. With that as some background on my family, the question is, what do I expect as a father, for my children from the Armenian Church? Ideally, my grocery list would include all of the following: * A Church that is Christ centered * An atmosphere where my children can learn about and experience first hand the love of God. * A Church that truly is the living body of Christ and reflects that in all of its endeavors. * A Church where my children can take their family life experiences and share them with others in Christian fellowship. * A Church community that is a true witness for Christ. * A Church where my children can use terms like daily devotions, prayers before school, prayers before meals, evening prayers, hearing the word of God without being labeled as born again Protestant. * Leadership, both clerical and lay, who without equivocation, accept its young adults and children as an equal and important members of the Church family. * A Church that nurtures its young adults, encourages them to accept their responsibility in the life of the Parish and supports them spiritually. * A Church where the oneness of a family is sacrosanct and the family becomes the frontline soldiers for Christ. * Lastly, a Church that helps the family create a legacy for the future, one that ensures the Parish will have a Godly heritage. All of these things are my wish for my daughters, just as they were for my parents and my wife's parents. I mentioned a legacy for the future and I'm reminded of a story about the early Christians. Picture a television reporter doing a man in the street interview with a citizen of Rome during Caesars reign. "Who among Rome's people will leave a legacy for the future" asked the reporter. The young man immediately responded "Oh Caesar and Nero will. They have been strong leaders who have built a great and powerful Roman Empire." The reporter then inquired, "What about these Christians gathered across the street." The man quietly answered, "Are you nuts? Peter and that bunch follow that guy Jesus, they must be crazy?" And isn't it funny now after 2000 years we name our children, Peter, John and Mary while we name our dogs Caesar and Nero. *** =================================================== _ _ _ _ _ |_| ___ _| | ___ _ _ _ | | | | | | _ / _ \ / _ | / _ \ | | | | | | | |_| |_| || |_ | | | || |_| || |_| || |_| |_| | \_________/\___||_| |_| \___/ \___/ \_________/ View Of The Armenian Church ===================================================