A Letter to Those in Children's Ministry
Conversations, Part 2 of 5
Dear Ministry Partners,
I can’t help, but wonder where you are, how you are doing, and I also wonder at the heart God has placed in you for children and/or our youth. God is good to call us to this important work. There are not many of us so it’s important for us to pray that God would call more of us. In the past, I had the privilege to attend one of PCA CDM Children’s ministry conferences and while I didn’t get to speak to too many people, I still felt a sense of unity and encouragement. I feel the same here as well. While still a small group of readers, I know that there are parents, children’s ministry teachers, children’s ministry directors, etc. here reading my words. Thank you for being here. My wish is to only encourage and to share what God has placed in my heart.
I’d like to start here:
Amidst His active ministry in which he looked upon the crowds with compassion (Mt. 9:36), parents, grandparents, and those in whom God had given a special love for children went to Jesus for the sole reason “that He may lay his hands on them and pray.” Many sought out Jesus for healing, for His teaching, but these people merely wanted Jesus to bless their children. The disciples rebuked them. I imagine in their thoughts, Jesus’ blessings only belonged to adults. Children were insignificant, dependent and weak. Possibly considered a nuisance. “What are you doing? Jesus doesn’t have time for children. There are too many who need him more,” I could hear the disciples rebuke. I’ve heard similar things:
“Children can’t sit through worship.”
“They won’t be able to understand the Gospel, what’s the purpose?”
“Just give them busy work so that adults can worship.”
So dear brother’s and sister’s in Christ, whom God has given a love to teach and disciple children, I want to encourage you in this. Keep bringing them to Jesus. When I first started in children’s ministry as a director, I wasn’t really sure where my primary focus should be, but I quickly found that one of them was this—remind the church that the children are there. They are sitting in the pews and watching, learning, and being formed by everyone. Encourage your elders to visit, and your leaders to preside over a children’s worship. Give the leaders updates on the going ons. Tell them stories of how the children are growing. I taught a lesson recently about the Pentecost and when we talked about how the disciples were able to speak different languages, a first grade boy shouted out, “like the tower of Babel, but opposite.” Sirs and mams, did you know that I had not made this connection until recently? You can read about it here. Tell them stories like how I asked the children what they were most looking forward to at Christmas, the children mostly responded spending time at church. Last year, Christmas landed on Sunday. I had thought they would say getting presents, but no they were happy to celebrate Jesus at church. Tell them stories about how they recognize and love when the presider mentions them or when prayers are lifted up for them during corporate prayer.
I bet the disciples learned a lesson or two that day. They rebuked the people. So so harsh toward people who wanted Jesus to just pray over their children. Their wrong theology was showing that day. Jesus made it right.
“For such belongs to the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 19:14)
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17
Jesus is not saying here that children are sinless or special, but the character traits of children that the disciples saw that made them insignificant, Jesus saw as wanted traits for us all. (I share more about these passages here.) Their no holds barred attitudes. The way they come as they are with no pretenses. They’re weak. They’re dependent. So let us remember them and continue to remind others of their presence. They are part of the church too. They are part of the kingdom too. And in the presence of these precious children, they will act as reminders for all of us “For such belongs to the kingdom of heaven.” They will remind us that we too are children of the Almighty God. So please keep doing what you are doing to serve our children. We need people with staying power. It is a sacrifice for sure, but one with fruits that will last for eternity.
Next week, I will continue this conversation and share a few ways that we can serve our children better and some things that have been flying under the radar that I’d like to bring your attention to.
Until next time, I’ll save a seat for you at the table.