The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Natalie Justice
Date: 07.03.2011
Category: Evangelism Among Children, Evangelism Training, Truth and Pluralism
In the church I currently serve I am able to work with children in grades K-5th who not only learn but also lead sometimes during worship. Sometimes the most amazing message from God can come from the mouth of a child. The kids have gotten up at the pulpit and shared some deep messages on their heart. One young girl, she is in 3rd grade, got up and told how important it is to be a servant. She talked about how she learned we are all in missions no matter how old she was. These messages were written by the children.
Why can’t children serve small and important roles in our worship services? I have seen growth in these kids because they were able to serve during worship as well as do service projects. Praise God for Children!!!
Views: 9029
Comments: 37
Recommendations: 1
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United States
Like many who have posted responses, I also serve as minister with children. Children often have responsibilities in leadership in worship in our church and I’m blessed to be part of a church that allows for and embraces the role, perspective and message that children have to share with us. One of the things I love about working with children is how curious they are and how much they want to learn and grow in their faith.
When children are present in worship services and when they participate in the ways they can (and there are many) then they learn, along with adults, what it means to be part of a community of faith and what it means to worship God in the ways that are most pleasing to God. And, I am a strong believer in their being regular opportunities for children to be leaders in worship.
To do something once in awhile or once a year is insulting to them and makes us poorer because we did not allow for them to show us a means of connecting with God that only children can do.
12.11.2012
United States
@ L_Sills:
L_Sills, you are right on! Only allowing the children to participate once or twice a year is insulting to them. They should be encouraged to share what they know and experience. Children experience life without blinders or censors. Thus, they are able to have experiences that we overlook or rationalize away. We can learn a lot from taking to heart the experiences of these little ones. Keep encouraging!
20.11.2012
United States
I agree. There is something magical about hearing a child tell about their experience with God. They are uninhibited and say what they feel without trying to make it make sense. It is important that we keep these children invovled in the church and allow them to participate in order to continually affirm that what they experience is real and shareable.
20.11.2012
United States
Hello! On June 24th, The Church I currenetly ( while in seminary) rekindled it’s Youth Sunday back into it’s fourth Sunday slot. Praise God! For years Youth Sunday had went domat, and many of the youth in "usual" church service were being "lost in the wind". I was so overwhelmed to have witnessed (6) baptismals, a childrens choir, and prayer form such innocent and cheerful children. Children definatley have a voice and if we give them a chance to speak or serve, they could really impact the life of the church. God Bless.
Cora C.
03.07.2012
United States
Hello! On June 24th, The Church I currenetly ( while in seminary) rekindled it’s Youth Sunday back into it’s fourth Sunday slot. Praise God! For years Youth Sunday had went domat, and many of the youth in "usual" church service were being "lost in the wind". I was so overwhelmed to have witnessed (6) baptismals, a childrens choir, and prayer form such innocent and cheerful children. Children definatley have a voice and if we give them a chance to speak or serve, they could really impact the life of the church. God Bless.
Cora C.
03.07.2012
United States
Hello! On June 24th, The Church I currenetly ( while in seminary) rekindled it’s Youth Sunday back into it’s fourth Sunday slot. Praise God! For years Youth Sunday had went domat, and many of the youth in "usual" church service were being "lost in the wind". I was so overwhelmed to have witnessed (6) baptismals, a childrens choir, and prayer form such innocent and cheerful children. Children definatley have a voice and if we give them a chance to speak or serve, they could really impact the life of the church. God Bless.
Cora C.
03.07.2012
United States
Hello! On June 24th, The Church I currenetly ( while in seminary) rekindled it’s Youth Sunday back into it’s fourth Sunday slot. Praise God! For years Youth Sunday had went domat, and many of the youth in "usual" church service were being "lost in the wind". I was so overwhelmed to have witnessed (6) baptismals, a childrens choir, and prayer form such innocent and cheerful children. Children definatley have a voice and if we give them a chance to speak or serve, they could really impact the life of the church. God Bless.
Cora C.
03.07.2012
United States
I so remember being a young girl and joining in childrens’ time during worship service, where we little ones all went down to the youth minister at the front of the church for a small lesson in front of the congregation relating to that days sermon; these are truly special memories for me. Our church does this as well, but I wish more often. There also are the choirs for different age groups; however, they only sing, it seems, on special occasions. I remember being part of a different church (I think in the military?...) and they rotated the choirs weekly so that no group would get burnt out. When the little ones sang, no matter which church I have been a member of, it has always been a special time of worship because of the sincerity and innocence that comes through their faces and voices. But I also agree that it would be great to hear the children read scripture and become part of worship service in other realms more frequently.
03.12.2011
United States
Teaching children to serve is an awesome task and we should alltake your advice and find them places to do so.
29.11.2011
United States
As a Children’s minister. I love children serving or in the worship service. We have them each week carry down the Bible, and light the candles. Two to three times a month a child reads the scripture. It is one time where the child who is reading pays the most attention to what they are saying, and practice over and over, just like a speech. This practice allows the scripture to dwell within their lives. It also adds a great way the parents can help the children figure out some of the larger words in scripture and become a family affair. By having the children singing a song in the worship to just sitting and listening brings a dynamic to worship that is needed. Worship is a joyous occasion for all to come together to celebrate the wonders of God, including children.
10.11.2011
United States
@ Elizabeth_B:
You make a really important point. When we allow children to participate in worship, we are encouraging them to interact with the scriptures and tradtions in such away that it stays with them and sets the foundation of their faith...
28.11.2011
United States
I think it’s a great idea to have children as a part of the worship service. By allowing them to be a part of worship we reinforce the fact that God wants to hear from the too (Matt. 19:14). Not to mention the self-esteem boost it can bring to the children when the congregation show them support and encouragement. I definitely think that churches should figure a way to incorporate children into the worship service, even if it means worship take a little longer than normal (for those churches, such as the one I grew up in, that must be out the door in 1 hour). The question is how to incorporate them. Thoughts?
03.11.2011
United States
I have Pastored my church for 7 years. I finally 2 years ago had someome to come in to organize a youth chior and the church loves to see and hear them sing. I believe he youth add a very sweet and pleasing aroma to the worship service. I also feel the use of youth in worship service instills in the child the importance of a christ filled life.
13.07.2011
United States
Triedstone1009, Thank you so much for those kind and inspiring words! Thank you for reminding us of the "child like" relationship we have with God the Father. We so often forget.
11.07.2011
United States
St. Luke 18:16 declares that Jesus was touching the babies and when the disciples saw the people continuing to bring the children to Jesus, they rebuked the parents for bringing them. But Jesus said let the little children come to me and whoever will not receive the kingdom of God as little children will never enter in. Jesus is using the children to teach us as children of God to receive his work and his witness as childrens. Too often we as adults want to focus on how mature we are and lose focus that God has grown us up to this stage of maturity. Now surrender your grownness and become children before the most high God and our witness will be more effective. Giving thanks to God for your children ministry at your church. Kudos!!!!
Reggie
10.07.2011
United States
Angeleyes19828, I would appreciate hearing your ideas of how to integrate services so that young and old can motivate, learn, and be inspired by each other.
10.07.2011
United States
I think there is a connection between church growth and children serving early in the church. Think about it. The younger we start getting these children to be mission and service minded the more likely these children will want to stay in the church. If we start them early then they will have a passion and love for service. They will want to rather then feel like they HAVE to. Which sadly many adults do.
09.07.2011
United States
Natalie, I totally agree about children participating in service. The church I grew up in did not let us kids participate (40+ years ago), however, now they do, and membership is growing. Could there be a connection?
09.07.2011
United States
Children should be able to serve in any capacity in the church. The issue is that many adult leaders are too busy playing God to allow God to do what God wants to do with God’s people. If God is sovereign then cannot God decide who God wants to use. If however, God is not sovereign then what does that mean for us? God forbid, I believe that God is soveriegn and I am not big enough to tell God who God can use.
04.06.2011
United States
Many people believe that children have not experienced enough in life to be able to share in the truth of the Gospel. When a child has been homeless, sexually abused, or experienced things that are unementionable... does that qualify as a story to tell. Moreover, we suggest that God is sovereign and can do whatever God wants to do...that includes use a child to do God’s will. I like what Jesus said to Peter, "only the Spirit could have revealed this to you" and that is what we miss when we do not allow God to do what God wants to do--the opportunity to see God move through people.
31.05.2011
United States
Jesus rebuked the disciples because the children were around Him. Out of the mouths of the little children comes a perfect praise.
22.04.2011
United States
I agree, children should be present and active in the worship service. If we want a biblical example then we can look to Jesus feeding the five thousand, with a Little Boy’s supply of food. Tell me that sacrificing your resources are not worship. Children are benefical and need to be treated as such.
18.03.2011
United States
@ eae0925:
You are so right, because teaching the children help keep a positive chain going. They said children are able to obtain a lot while they are still young. We have to teach them God’s way, because you never know when they may be put in a position to help another.
04.04.2011
United States
@ sashe:
I was teaching my youth group last sunday and a five year old was with one of them, so he sat in on my lesson. After the lesson on letting go of our burdens I asked if there were any questions. He raised his hand and said "you said stupid and thats a bad word, we arent suppose to say." I was called out, but the best thing is I knew that he was listening. Hanging on words. May we be ever careful of what we say around little ears, because wheter it seems so or not, they are listening. And what they hear will and can be carried to others. What better sharers of the Gospel than those who are so attentive to what is being said.
04.04.2011
United States
@ eae0925:
I’ve tried to make an effort over the last couple of years to incorporate more songs containing lyrics that are near verbatim scripture, e.g. the music from the Glory Revealed albums. Parents have told me about their kids singing the worship songs from Sunday throughout the week, so they know what’s going on. By incorporating the aforementioned type of song, while the children (and adults) memorize the lyrics, they are also memorizing scripture. It’s really an effective tool. Besides, nothing is more beautiful than watching a parent standing with their child in their arms, while both sing praises to our God and King. It’s one of the best parts of the leading worship.
20.04.2011
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