The Church IS for the Kids

Here are some thoughts on children in the worship service. At the church I pastor, we have a whole bunch of kids. Kids are kids. Sometimes they do silly things and sometimes they need to be corrected. But as we treat them like believers (little believers, of course) a funny thing happens; they love coming to church and they worship vigorously. They also feel they are part of The Church with all of its responsibilities and privileges (we don’t have “children’s church” and the kids are full participants). It has also been my pleasure to serve a congregation where the kids are much more respectful to adults, officers of the church, and to the church as a cultus.

Sadly, most of my Christian experience has been in congregations where the kids are a confusing appendage that everyone wished would somehow transform into ideal adult Christians via photosynthesis. Unfortunately, most of these kids leave the church when they reach adulthood.

So, let’s stop putting stumbling blocks in their way and as King Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)

Comments

[Scott]

Nice! Well put.

[Marci]

Amen and amen!! I hope I get to see all the precious little saints grow up - I hope I get to see who and what they all become. They are all a special part of The Lord's Day. Thank you for writing this.

[Donald Jacobs]

AMEN!
The American church in particular has an attituded toward children that views them as inconvienences that get in the way. Instead of training them up in the way, we shuffle them off to "children's programs" designed to entertain them while the parents worship. This approach robs not only the children of an education in proper worship of God it robs the parents of an education in how to best disciple (read discipline) their children in the worship context.