Covenant on 4-14 Window (Draft Resolution)

Raising up a New Generation from the 4-14 Window to Transform the World

International Summit, New York 2009

Preamble

Whereas the Bible boldly states that children are the gift of God and that God desires all children to come to Him; and

Although the Bible also decrees that children should grow up in an atmosphere of family love, wise counsel, tender discipline and unconditional care, the reality of our day is that this has often not become the case as children have been tragically neglected and therefore marginalized; and

Although the church has a responsibility to equip, train and encourage the family to play its proper role in the rearing of children, this too, , has often not become the reality of our day; and,

Whereas the glaring weakness in the handling and caring for children as a global community has contributed to millions of children becoming hopeless victims of our neglect;

Be it resolved that we, the participants of the 4/14 Window Global Summit, have come together to ask God to forgive us for failing to do what we could and what we ought for children as His gifts from above; and for failing to provide them with His holistic blessings and a strategy and hope for the transformation to the world;

Be it also resolved that we commit ourselves and the institutions that God has entrusted to us to improve and increase our efforts for the equipping, care and mobilization of the children and their families in the 4/14 window for the holistic transformation of the world;

In light of this Resolution, we now offer the following Covenant to guide us in the execution of our resolve:

Covenant on the 4-14 Window

General Provisions

1. Title of the Document

This document shall be known to as “Covenant on the 4-14 Window”

2. Definition

1. The ‘4/14 Window’ refers to children and youth roughly between the ages of 4 and 18,
    
2. “Christian organization” means a Christian NGO, or ministry or Christian mission organization that has ministry to children.
    
3. “Denomination” means an organ that a given number of local churches of the same faith and doctrine establish for themselves.
    
4. “Local Church” means a local group of believers who are organized within a denomination and satisfy the conditions set by the denomination or the umbrella for the formation of a local church.
    
5. “National Alliance or Fellowship” means the alliance of fellowship of churches established by denominations and other organs in a country.
    
6. “Regional alliance or fellowship” means the alliance or fellowship of churches established by national alliances/fellowships and other organs in a continent of sub-region of a continent.

Responsibilities of the regional, national alliances / Fellowships and denominations

3. Focus on children

Each regional and national alliance/fellowship and denomination shall:

1. Create a vision and mission statement for child and family ministry;
    
2. Equip and train their member alliances/fellowships or denominations or local churches, as the case may be, to so that they make the children and families in the 4/14 window agents of holistic transformation; and,
    
3. Create plans, budgets and strategies for the equipping and mobilization of children and their families in the 4/14 window for holistic transformation.

Responsibilities of the local church

4. Focus on children

The local church shall:

1. Have a mission and vision statements for equipping and mobilizing children and their families in the 4/14 window holistic transformation;
    
2. Have plans, budget and strategy for the equipping and mobilization of the children and their families in the 4/14 window for holistic transformation;
    
3. Give at least the same focus to the children in the 4/14 window as it gives to its other ministries;
    
4. Train and equip families to raise their children as sources for holistic transformation for their communities and in ways they can protect themselves from the evils of the day.

Role of Christian Organizations

5. Strategies for reaching and mobilizing children and youth of the 4/14 Window

Each Christian organization shall:

1. Have clear strategies for the equipping and mobilization of children and their families in the 4/14 window for holistic transformation and that the same is done throughout its regional and national offices;
    
2. Coordinate its work with organizations’ that have a similar calling at international, regional and national levels to bring about more effective and efficient results in the equipping and mobilization of children and their families.
    
3. Directly or through its branches, work closely regional and national church organizations and local churches for the equipping and mobilization of children and their families for holistic transformation.

6. Capacity building

Each Christian organization shall include in its plans, programs and budget, provisions for capacity building of regional, national and local churches for the equipping and mobilization of children and their families in the 4/14 window for holistic transformation of their respective communities, nations and regions.

Glory to God in the Highest!