Kevin DeYoung:
Teenagers in our culture often balk at attending corporate worship. But how many of our teenagers have we setup for this reaction, because we did not consistently include them in worship until they were a teenager? If attending church for years has always meant coloring Bible pictures, singing songs to a cd, playing games, and doing crafts—then we should not be surprised that our young people find worship to be odd, uncomfortable, and even boring. I love good children’s songs—they ring through my house. I love good children’s Christian crafts—they decorate my study. But if this alone is the rhythm of church life we have set up for our children week in and week out, we have done them a great disservice
via Children in Worship–Let’s Bring it Back – Kevin DeYoung.
Absolutely on target. For years the emphasis was solely focused on creating a children’s church experience that was so dynamic and enjoyable, they would want to come back week after week. In this, of course, there was always the goal of fostering genuine love and faith in Jesus. But, the goal of intentionally designing children’s church with a goal of ultimately integrating the children into the broader worship of the church was not a high priority. In everything from what songs we teach to what lessons we include in children’s church, this goal would impact a number of aspects of children’s church.
As evangelicals increasingly recognize the communal, not just the personal, nature of the Christian life, involvement within the life of the church has become a higher priority.
The value of all our broader programs and ministries has to be measured on a longer yardstick that what works today or next week or next year. The long term question, “Are we really helping kids grow toward full involvement in the whole church?” must be a central question impacting both why and what we do.
I love the idea, and have thought the same thing several times. And then I realized that I was only seeing half the picture because I’m the husband. This seems like a wonderful idea until you talk to the moms who have to supervise their kids during worship while the husbands (unfortunately, inevitably) zone on on worship. The truth is that your 2 year-old and even your 5 year-old isn’t mentally capable of discerning that they should sit still so you can close your eyes and lose yourself in worship. They need constant supervision and this creates stress for parents. It doesn’t bless them.
So let’s get kids back in worship but let’s do it when they’re old enough to handle and respect the gathering of the saints. I’m thinking around 10 years old.