Nov
5
Written by:
Felicia Fox
11/5/2009 9:24 AM
We don’t have a children’s church program here at First Baptist. However, I think we have something much better. We have a church worship service that is very welcoming to children. This past Sunday I was able to see just how child friendly our worship service is. Instead of taking my normal seat on the altar, I got to stay with our children’s choir on the front three rows. It was an eye opening experience for me.
During the announcements when Jenny talked about filling out the pew cards for ministry teams many of our children took cards and filled them out. They were listening and responding to the announcements. The children whispered and asked me questions about what teams to sign up for. Then it came time to sing the hymns. Our children got hymn books and followed along. Many of them sang and they all wanted to know what page the hymn was on. As we recited the Lord’s Prayer together the children joined in. The children have obviously been watching and learning from us adults during worship.
Not only did I get to witness the children worshipping the same ways they see our adults worship each Sunday, I also got to see them lead us in worship. The kids did a great job saying their parts and singing a great song of praise together. We should all be very proud of them.
As adults we often think about Sunday morning worship as being only important for us. When I was little we called the worship service “Big Church.” The truth is our children are learning how to worship and how to be in church during Sunday morning worship. I know sometimes they get a little wiggly and maybe a bit nosier then we would like. All of that is okay and normal. That’s part of being a child. That’s one of the best parts of worshiping in an intergenerational service.
Being a church is about being a community. I’m happy that we have a church that so freely welcomes our children. I’m glad we are an “Everybody Church” and not just a “Big Church.” Growing up in a place that welcomes them and allows them to wiggly and make a little noise is a true blessing for our children. Trust me, the wiggles and a little bit of noise aren’t a big deal to God. He kind of likes it.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ~ Matthew 19:14