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Which One of These Churches Really Loves Kids?

Which One of These Churches Really Loves Kids?

Last updated on: July 20, 2016 at 11:26 pm by Jonathan Aigner

Which One of These Churches Really Loves Kids? 2016-07-20T23:26:52-05:00 Jonathan Aigner

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Recently, a friend sent me a copy of one of his church’s bulletins. Contrast Noble’s words to these, given out to the congregation of St. John Lutheran in Wheaton, IL; a smaller, yet thriving liturgical church in a suburban area:

A Special Welcome to Those with Young Children
We are very happy that you are here today! At St. John we want you to feel at home.

First, please relax and enjoy your time here. Jesus knows that children tend to wiggle and squawk a bit, so please don’t feel embarrassed by it. Your children are welcome at St. John.

To make it a bit easier on your family, please dare to sit toward the front where your children can easily see the procession, note the colors, hear the bells, smell the fire, watch the pastors, wonder about those heads on the lectern and embrace the action at the altar. What Jesus does here promises to engage them.

As we go, softly explain the Liturgy to your children, encouraging them to chime in on their parts: Amen! Lord have mercy! And with your spirit! I believe! Our Father! All of that belongs to them too. Be sure to sing and say and pray your parts too as you stand and kneel and sit. Your children learn by following your lead.

If you and your child must leave, please hurry back. We want your children here so much that we didn’t build a nursery in our new space. Like Jesus, we want your children in the Liturgy, not out.

If you need a little help, just ask. There are lots of folks here who will lend you a hand.

Please know that while you are caring for your children, the rest of us will be rejoicing in Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).

We know that your children are a gift to the Church, so we will do our best to welcome, smile, encourage, help and bless you all. Welcome to St. John.

The differences between these two congregations are striking. Do you see them?

One says, “Your children are a distraction, a nuisance.” The second says, “Your children are a gift.”

One says, “We don’t allow your kids in worship.” The second says, “We want and need them in worship.”

One says, “What happens here isn’t for kids.” The second says, “This belongs to them, too.”

One says, “Drop your children off, so you are free to worship.” The other says, “Caring for your children is your worship, and ours, too.”

One says, “Our worship won’t engage them.” The other says, “Jesus is enough to engage them.”

One says, “Crying children are so annoying when I’m trying to listen (or preach).” The second says, “We welcome the wonder and excitement of childhood, even if it’s not always convenient for us.”

One says, “The place for kids is out there.”

The other says, “The place for kids is in here.”

Ultimately, though, if what we call “worship” is just about listening to music and hearing some guy teach, we’re not just depriving our children, but we’re depriving the whole body of Christ of authentic gathered worship. Because that kind of service really isn’t a “worship service” at all.

So as we reintegrate our children into our gatherings, let’s rediscover the true purpose of corporate worship while we’re at it.

Worship is not about entertainment and teaching.

It’s about being together. All of us. Young and old.

It’s about proclaiming God’s story. All of us. Sorry, Perry. Not a celebrity pastor. Not a rock star worship leader. It’s the work of the people.

It’s about recreating and reenacting the gospel events, so that we are once again confronted with its meaning, and reminded of God’s claim on our lives.

Worship is where we, God’s people, meet God through Word and Sacrament, through sign and symbol.

So, for God’s sake, let the little children come.

For the love of all that is holy, let them come.

Let them come, and do not hinder them with “age-appropriate teaching.”

Let them come, and do not hinder them with jesusy entertainment.

Let them come and join you in your sacred storytelling.

Do not hinder them, but be encouraged by their faith. And emulate it, yourself. That really what Jesus was getting at, anyway.

For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Photos:
Flickr, Jaap Joris, creative commons 2.0
Flickr, StevenW, creative commons 2.0

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