2005
Georgia Humphrey
A Little Child Shall Lead Them: Understanding Seekers as They Join Churches and Learn to Build a Relationship with God in the Present Day Culture
This thesis considers the needs of seekers who have come or returned to church to be married or to have their children baptized. The data were collected through reading and through a questionnaire from four churches. In addition several interviews with seekers and parish leaders were used. Through a variety of Family Ministry programs at St. Barnabas, the children are learning how to build their relationship with God. The parents have addressed the needs of their children and are presently beginning to address their own needs in order to fulfill their desire to build a relationship with God and the church. This thesis illustrates the need for transformation within the church if the church is to follow its mission “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, 855)