Wellington City Libraries Palm Tree Blossoming of Our Children - Kia Puawai Ngā Tamariki - 10th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect

A Theology of Children


 

Download this presentation - 171KB PDF

Author and presenter:

Rev.Nove Vailaau

This approach addresses some issues, from a theological perspective in regards to exercising corporal punishment to discipline children. From an indigenous spirituality approach I will present the importance of honouring and respecting human relationship as a way to sustain dignity and integrity of human life, even from conception.
I will also argue against the misinterpretations of two approaches long used as a basis of corporal punishment in homes, schools and other institutions, for centuries:
  • One is the understanding that God is a God of Justice. I will argue that God is a god of Love as well.
  • Two is the acceptance of discipline promoted by the concept "Spare the Rod spoil the child." I will identify that these words are unbiblical and should not become the basis for discipline of children.
I will however challenge from a theological perspective the God-given rights of children to be valued as gifts from God for human sustainability, and the divine mandate on the responsibility for parents and the wider communities to love and care for children.

Biography

Rev. Nove Vailaau is a Samoan. An ordained minister of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, and for the past 7 years has been a pastoral minister to a Samoan migrant community at Porirua
Noves community involvement in many issues affecting Pacific people enables him to plays a strong advocacy role for Pacific in dealings with government agencies as well as NGO sector.  He is a Council member of Ministers Advisory Council for Minister Phil Goff,   has served as a Chairperson for Community Reference Group, Closing the Gap.  In addition he has done a lot of work with MSD on New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy and a member of Te Rito Advisory Group.

Nove has served as Moderator for Council for World Mission prior to his taking up his current ministry, also representing the Pacific on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches in Geneva.