I've heard people say that children are our future. They are the future of our society; the
future of our churches. Others have said
that children are our NOW. They are a
part of our society and a part of our churches.
In age appropriate ways we need to incorporate children into our
conversations, our decisions, our plans.
They need to know that their voices are valued and important to help us
move toward the future in a more whole-istic way. If we don’t include them, we may dismiss
them.
Decision-making is not easy for adults. How realistic is it to think that kids can
make decisions that affect them?
Especially when they appear distracted through their multitasking with
multiple screens, and busy toys, when it appears they are not listening and are
so immersed in their own worlds. Believe
it or not, our kids are probably more tuned in than we think. Some kids need tactile activities to be able
to focus more on what is being said around them. (Have you ever tried to have a private
conversation in the front seat with kids in the back seat, hoping they don’t
hear what is being said, and then hear them later repeating your conversation
to Grandma?) Kids pay more attention
than we think!
As I've been sitting at the altar looking out toward the
congregation, I see kids of all ages, participating in worship in a variety of
ways. In particular there are about five
kids who are very busy with their hands, drawing, coloring or stringing cards
with laces. They have developed their
own little community within the service that I’m sure is fostered in Sunday school
and with the parents. They get pretty
excited when it’s time to pass the peace and are reverent when they come up for
communion. Some other kids said “Thank
you” when they receive their wine. One
of these Sunday’s I’ll sit down with them after the service and talk with them
about what they heard. They may have
great stories to tell me! I bet they
could tell me how what they learned in Sunday School was repeated during
worship. I bet they would teach me a
different understanding of the Gospel or of a prayer or of God.
Engaging children in ministry, including them in learning
opportunities and worship, allowing them to squirm or thread cards or color
pictures, giving them a chance to teach us…that is living out our faith.
O Father of all children, we are yours! Use us to teach one another about your
love. Let us see the face of Christ in
one another. We are all your children,
no matter our age, and we have so much to offer, to teach and to learn from one
another. Guide our words, open our
hearts and help us to see all the gifts, no matter the size, we each
share. Amen.