If you've been at the church ever, you've probably seen my wife carring a baby. It doesn't matter which one really, just babies. She loves kids, which is partly the reason why she is the Director of Children and Family ministries. It's not unusual for her to end a conversation with an adult just so she can go be with a child or pick up a baby. They are that important to her. They are people, too.
She grew up in a large family, the last of 5 kids. I grew up as the oldest of 2. The average family in the United States has roughly 2.3 children. Many times through the years, we have been derided for having 4 children. It was outside of the norm. People would ask us why we'd have so many. We can't imagine having any less and had at many times talked about having more. (Not lately. We've long since discussed and look forward to grandchildren someday, in the future, many years from now.) So our family is above average. What can I say, we love kids.
I was visiting a church a few years ago and I like to read all of the stuff they have in the pews, just to see what a church is about. One of the nicely published documents was a parents guide to having children in worship. Some of the things on it were: We welcome children of all ages in our worship, children's activity packets are available from the welcome center or ushers, children make noise, but it probably bothers you more than it does us, and my favorite, "if your children are bothering others around you, we'll pray for those other people!" They welcomed children and they welcomed families.
The Children's Ministry, O-Zone, at our church is something to be proud of, but not because it is a trophy, but because the children matter to us and to God. We do children's ministry because we have to care for all of God's children, equally. The same reason we have to care for youth, and young families, married and single adults alike, the young and the not-so-young, the healthy and the infirmed. Our ministry must reflect the kingdom of God, where all are treated with equal care, love and grace.
Jesus told his disciples when they tried to keep the children away from him, "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." (Matthew 19:15, The Message)
In the first Century, children were worth little. Parents loved them, but as a society, children were set aside. Not until they had a use in the society did they gain any value. That's not Jesus' view. He breaks down the hierarchy of human importance and levels the playing field. Children have as much of a place in the kingdom as adults, the poor as much as the rich, the oppressed as much as the oppressors, gentiles as much as Jews. As unique as we all are, we are the same in God's eyes. We are children, God's children. The Kingdom of God is for all of us, equally.
Peace ><>
PC
6 comments:
So you are saying you don't want grandchildren right now huh? Was that a hint to me! Nice devotional today dad, and thanks for the warning... :)
Not saying I don't want Grandchildren. Just saying some days I feel too young to have them yet. But when God brings that my way, I'll embrace it, and them like no other!
Love you,
Dad
You are right, I do LOVE children! Many have heard me say I would much rather be with children than with "big" people. "Why?" you might ask. I believe what Jesus said. Children show us what the kingdom of God is truly like. Just look at how children view the world... They see no barriers, not color, race or economic status. They love openly, honestly and without limit! They know no fear, and they live life to the fullest!
Yes I love children and I really would rather be with them than "big" people. I pray I will continue to learn from them, and will always be childlike!
And it is a wonderful sight to see you work with the kids!
Keep it up Peggy
I sometimes wonder where the disconnect from children happened with me. It was like one day I was one myself and the next they were alien creatures and thats the way it's been mostly ever since.
I know it is something I have to make steps toward if for nothing else then to understand what Christ means. Logically it makes sense and recently Ive been trying to relate better. Im okay ages 5-10, Never got along well with many teenagers even while being one, almost always enjoyed the company of the older crowd. Younger than 5 there is almost a void. This strikes me as odd because I remember being very little probably around the age of 5 and thinking how dreadful it must be to grow-up and get old because grown-ups were so strange and gigantic. Now I think small children are strange, peculiar, and fragile.
Regardless it is obvious God puts people, pastors, and pastor's wives in churches they are needed most. Our church is very blessed in this regard.
Did you think of Jordan before writing this article? :)
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