The Golden Compass

In what has been a whirlwind week for navigation, allow us to shed some light into an area where mixed messages and confusion cloud the landscape of leisure. When I refer to “navigation”, I am referring to none other than the multi-million dollar power we have seen the compass possess during this first week of December, 2007.

With the DVD release of “Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End” and the release of “The Golden Compass”, there is little doubt that the power of the simple compass has been thrust into a place of prominence in the Hollywood landscape. This fact alone seems only to reinforce the fact that Hollywood, like us, is searching for direction and using whatever tools are available to aide them in their journey.

Navigating through the waters of the entertainment industry presents a formidable challenge, yet we believe the old saying “forewarned is forearmed” holds true. If we are to effectively relate to our children we must be forewarned; we need to know what we are facing. If we desire to make an eternal impact we need to be forearmed; we must know how to combat the challenges we face!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that our direction comes from a source stronger than any magnetic field when it says… “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Golden Compass was a film released on Friday, December 7, 2007. It is the first book from author Phillip Pullman’s trilogy “His Dark Materials”. Selling more than 15 million copies world-wide and receiving many awards including the Carnegie of Carnegies award for best children’s book in the last 70 years, atheist Phillip Pullman’s novel is filled with strong anti-religion and anti-God themes.

By now, chances are fairly good that you have heard something about this film. While the content has been watered down for the theatrical release, the books are much more explicit in their content. As you determine how you are going to approach this film with your children, we would urge you strongly in the following ways:

1. Inform yourself. There is a plethora of information available about this film and its storyline. Educate and inform yourself so you can answer questions kids, parents and families in your church may have regarding this film. Scholastic is working hand-in-hand with this film and has invested a significant amount of resources into it. You may have already seen some of the posters or received handouts from writing competitions they are placing in our public schools. While not every website that has posted information about The Golden Compass is reliable, spend some time researching, reading or listening to information from websites that you trust. Take the information you have available to you and talk with your Senior Pastor (and staff) and come up with a unified approach on how you best feel the subject needs to be addressed in your unique church setting.

2. Inform your Senior Pastor. It will be vital to have the support of your Senior Pastor as you determine an approach to “The Golden Compass” that best fits your church, your families and your children. As with any controversial topic (Harry Potter series, The DaVinci Code, etc.) it is important and Biblically-sound to respect the God-appointed authority of your Senior Pastor and keep them informed of the information you have collected. As you formulate your stance, be sure to work together and corporately determine the best way to handle the topic for your church body.
   

3. Inform your children’s ministries team. After meeting with your Senior Pastor, PLEASE do not forget to notify your children’s workers, leaders, volunteers, youth staff, nursery staff, Sunday School teachers and anyone you know that works in conjunction with your children’s ministries team about the decision you have made. Inform them you have met with your Senior Pastor and that you have jointly decided upon a course of action you believe is best-suited for your church and children’s ministry. Share some of the information you have collected and identify members of your team who also feel comfortable talking about the topic. Also let them know if they feel uncomfortable answering questions from kids or parents that you are also available to assist them (and then make sure you are available).

4. Inform your kids. Don’t be afraid to breach this topic with your kids. The reality is that many of our kids will have seen this movie before you see them next in your Kid’s Church service or Sunday School class. Take 10 minutes and ask how many of them saw the movie this weekend. Find out their thoughts and reactions and allow for a time of discussion. Share the truth of the Gospel and give them Biblical Principles to stand upon. Your kids trust you and will listen to the information you have to give them because of your relationship with them. They need to hear the information and I promise you, the World is offering it freely; from their peers, on TV, in the theatres and in their schools. Boldly take a stand and share the truth with them.

5. Inform your kid’s parents. It is important to take the time to share information with your parents about the “cool polar bear movie”. From movie previews to press releases, everything about “The Golden Compass” looks and appears to be a movie in the same vein as C.S. Lewis’ “Narnia” series. Put together a handout for parents, email them some of the online resources you discovered or take the time to talk with them and share the information you have discovered. They will be the ones taking the kids to view the film and need to know how to handle any questions their children might have. Inform them so you both can reinforce the Biblical principles that are being instilled in them on a weekly basis both at home and at church.

May our words, forged together with absolute truth, assist you as you discover the many adventures you will face on your own journey as children’s leaders, pastors and parents. Take the time to inform yourself, your Senior Pastor, your children’s ministry team and your parents. Seek diligently, watch alertly, and pray constantly!

Be blessed this Christmas!

Standing together,

ChristopherStrok
National Children’s Ministries Agency

These sites may help you in your search:
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
http://www.mhadigital.org/index.php?post_id=274993
http://www.incm.org/MinistryTools/ChildrenMinistryNews/25059.aspx
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/cultureclips2/a0003495.cfm
http://www.ctlibrary.com/51955
http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp