"How do you define CHURCH?"
An elder "patriarch" at my former church's congregational meeting asked that question. The prevailing answer was the old Baptist standard: "A body of baptized believers."
Heads nodded affirmation. Then I "stirred the pot" when I stood and exclaimed, "You just erased all the preschoolers, most children, several youth, regular attenders and guests, who have not yet been baptized!" A lively discussion ensued
Consider your thoughts based upon a former church tradition you observed as a member, and compare them to your current practice.
As you do, ponder what is running through the mind of child…as she enters and exits with “the light” as an acolyte….as he reads scripture in public….as she listens to the sermon or sings in her choir…as he observes baptism and communion….as she plays and learns in the “worship care room," etc.
How do you think God receives such children as they participate in worship?
How do you view your role as a follow worshipper with such young people?
Our church has stated, “Children should be valued as a vital giving and receiving presence in our worshiping congregation, not as passive or frustrating observers. They are naturally spiritual with 'deep' thoughts about God and unrehearsed responses to God."
Monday, October 22, 2007
Finding church in the likely and unlikely places
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5 comments:
I love seeing the children have an active part in worship. It reminds me of the children sitting at Jesus' feet. The children are the future and we must affirm them and teach them now.
The children are the future - but they are also the present. How many of us remember the words of sermons that we heard as children? I don't! But I remember the feeling of being loved and respected and treated as a precious member of the family rather than as a nuisance. If that's what God's family is all about, then I want to be a part of it! That's what I see and feel at Sardis, and I think the children feel the same. I do think we should stress their participation in worship leadership as just that, and be careful not to stress "performance."
No one is more honest and open than children when they are beginning their first worship experiences. If they have been welcomed and prepared, they come eagerly into corporate worship.They observe closely with all their senses. They follow example.They participate when invited and encouraged. They add "life"to the service: they wiggle, they rustle,they whisper,they sing off key,they cuddle,they point,they offer prayer requests,they giggle,they listen,they yawn....and surely God 'smiles' with 'pride' & 'approval'at the "least of these".
Anyone who comes to our worship service surely sees that this is a congregation who values children.It makes me proud to see the way each child is respected and appreciated. They must like to come to church! We should always encourage them and include them.
The intergenerational times during our worship retreat were great. It inspired us to see the enthusiasm and attentiveness of the children.But that is nothing new to us at Sardis, because the youngest in our midst are a valued and participating presence. We "feed" off of them as we worship. They open us up to receive blessings and ponder what we hear.
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