What are you doing in Children’s Church?
“And he took the children up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.” Mark 10.16
Many young adults today spent their childhood in children’s churches that failed to teach children how to worship in the larger Christian community. Jennifer, at Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, expressed her concerns that many of her friends who “grew up” in church now feel a disconnect for this very reason.
This past Sunday it was my privilege to be invited [actually I invited myself] to Children’s Church at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church in Guymon, Oklahoma. Truly the Holy Spirit moves in this space. Jacque led a group of young children in Godly Play, taking great care to create a space where children are affirmed and actual formation is taking place. How wonderful it is to hear a child say with the conviction of a four-year-old, ”God is with us” when asked about the meaning of the light of the candle!
On the previous day, I met with several members of the church who talked about their intentional commitment to creating a ministry with children. They took time to look at the reasons behind children’s church in their community and their responsibility to faith formation of their children. In that discussion, which included Barry, the associate pastor, we talked about the importance of children learning how to be in worship. Thoughtful attention now will allow for faith formation across the life span.
What are your thoughts on children’s church? What does it look like in your church community? What should it look like?
Resources for Christian Educators and Parents:
The Children’s Minister by Rita Hays
Children Worship!by MaryJane Pierce Norton
Always in Rehearsal by James H. Ritchie
Resources for Children:
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood
Resources for Parents:
At Home with God: Daily Devotions for the School Year from Upper Room Books
Websites:
October 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
THANK YOU for calling attention to this! I’m working with children as part of my pastoral appointment (aren’t we all), including children’s church. It’s great to have someone else say that children’s church is training for WORSHIP, not extra play time or Sunday School. I’m reading “Parenting in the Pew” by Robbie Castleman and “You Can Preach to Kids, Too” to help me think about kids in the life of the church.