Four vivid pictures that concern our children and grandchildren, and the world in which they are growing up, have impacted me this week. And this is particularly relevant as we receive another child into the congregation and are reminded of Jesus' concern for children.

The first picture came with the terrible news of the shootings in America by teenagers, where at least two were killed. One of the people responsible was a girl of only 14! Coupled with this was a report I heard on talkback radio where a man who works with teenagers in our own city spoke of young teenagers walking around with hand guns in their pockets! While we might feel that our community in Northbridge is somewhat removed from such things, that may not be so. The latest Neighbourhood Watch report reveals an alarming level of crime, and I am told that drugs are rife in our North Shore schools.

The second picture came from a Child Psychologist who was being interviewed on radio. He made the observation that no child that he had seen before the courts had had a good relationship with his father. For quite some time I have been speaking of the importance of fathers for building a child's self-esteem and sense of security. This is true for both boys and girls, but especially for boys. Here is a secular psychologist making the same point. This does not mean that every child with a poor relationship with their father will end up before a court. But the chances are much higher. And, in a society where a larger number of children than ever before are growing up without their natural father, the prospect for the future is frightening.

This can be a particular problem in our area. Even when fathers are still around, their commitment to work or their own pleasure, or their emotional inability to get close to their children mean that children are growing up without the strength and guidance they need.

The third picture came from a lecture I attended on the characteristic of the "post-modern" society in which we live. The lecturer, a visiting Professor from Canada, pointed out some of the major changes in values and attitudes that have occurred over the past 10 to 20 years. And he showed how these changes are reflected in some of the popular TV shows like "Star Trek" and "Friends". Most of us have not noticed the changes taking place, but they mean that our children are growing up in a very different climate of thought, and with very different sets of values to those which shaped the lives of their parents.

The professor pointed out that, in contrast to the 'rationality' of twenty years ago, 'spirituality' in now in. This can be seen in the large numbers of TV programs like the 'X-Files' and 'Charmed' that deal with the supernatural. However, post-modern spirituality does not follow the old paths. A 'Newsweek' report said that today's teens "cobble together a mixture of various faiths". This is far from the commitment in the Baptism Service to "confess the faith of Christ crucified".

The fourth picture follows on from the above, and arose from a question from a parishioner about the plans of another church to hold a teenage camp with a "Harry Potter" theme. The young people attending were asked to dress up as a character from one of the Harry Potter books. The books about Harry Potter have become the literary sensation among the younger generation. Was well as being the world's best sellers for children's books, there is now going to be a Harry Potter movie and Harry Potter dolls!

The worry of this for many Christian parents is that the Harry Potter stories are set in the world of witches, wizards, magic and spells. While some Christians see this as pure harmless fantasy, the Bible is very clear that such things are part of the world of darkness that God's people are to avoid at all costs. Certainly, the modern proponents of witchcraft and the occult have expressed delight that the books have increased interest in their practices.

Today's children are growing up in a world of increased violence, decreased fathering, changing values and spiritual uncertainty. The answer to each of these is positive Christian parenting. Let us take up the challenge.