BIRMINGHAM (TAB) — There is a war being waged for the hearts and minds of children, Traylor Lovvorn of Undone Redone said, and it’s one that his organization, Samford University’s Ministry Training Institute (MTI) and The Alabama Baptist are fighting through events like “My Secure Family: Equipping Parents to Protect Children in the Digital Age.”
“Events like this help prepare parents for the battle that they are in,” said Lovvorn, who co-founded Undone Redone with his wife, Melody, to minister to those affected by sexual sin. “Good parenting is preparing our children for the world that we live in. In [this] age, shielding them from reality is no longer a viable option.”
“My Secure Family,” which will be held at Samford on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon, will cover specific apps and websites that are dangerous and educate and equip parents amid the ever-changing digital landscape.
“Our main focus will be to provide the framework that parents can use to begin or continue a healthy dialogue with their children in this area,” Lovvorn said.
“We want our children to develop a biblical, Christ-centered worldview. So, as parents, we must counter the many, many messages that our children receive on a daily basis that [go against the Bible].”
And parents having the right kind of information is key to making good decisions for their children, Lovvorn said.
“For some parents, [this seminar] will be a wake-up call as they begin to understand how easily the innocence of our children can be taken in our day and time.
“Our big hope is that, because of this seminar and some of the practical steps that are put in place as a result, many children who otherwise would have been exposed to inappropriate content are protected and kept safe.”
Kevin Blackwell, assistant to the president for church relations and executive director of MTI, said, “If you are the parent to children who have smart phones, tablets or who interact with computers you will need to make this seminar a priority.”
Guest speakers will be Traylor and Melody Lovvorn and Wellspring Christian Clinic’s Melea Stephens. Stephens is a marriage and family thearapist who works with individuals and couples dealing with issues such as positive parenting, trauma, depression, spiritual struggles and personal life skill development.
Deadline to register for “My Secure Family” is Jan. 22. For more information or to register, visit www2.samford.edu/eve/index.php?formid=1281 or email mti@samford.edu.
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