These past two Sundays, while doing a “communion cup collection” for my Studio Artist Son-in Love, I’ve worshipped our God as a visitor amidst a most welcoming congregation. My initial impression was their cart was in front of the horse. Didn’t take but a moment for God to correct me. His redirection signaled “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come unto Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven!’.” Matthew 19:14 (ESV).
This new covenant church, to my human eye, had their order reversed — Sunday Worship first and Sunday School last. However, in God’s insight, their timeclock was minute by minute punched in to best fulfill Divine work.
Waiting for the service to begin, I was awestruck by the large throng of unlikely worshippers filling the church. Children, from newborn up, were quietly and reverently sitting side by side their mommies, daddies and grandparents. This was not only a family of God event, but also, a family of man happening. My initial response was not thinking bountiful blessing but, rather, catastrophic childcare closure. First indication my “logical” deduction was way off course was confirmed when no explanation of an interruption of normal procedure was offered as worship began.
Didn’t take but witnessing the start of celebrating God to understand the children were not “visiting” the big church but regular participants in bowing their heads and lifting their hearts and souls to their Father God. Not only was I wowed that this was happening, but I was, also, stunned at how it was happening. Youth fidgeting, distracted (and distracting), playing with tech toys or anything else intended to keep them preoccupied was totally lacking. Respectfully, these little ones were, to their highest level, participating in worshipping their Daddy in Heaven. The young blessings were not misplaced but a mile marker of direction that God’s Words and way were never given to exclude children but to encourage their inclusion in coming to their Almighty Daddy.
Against my anticipated expectation, no kid noise was heard at any point during worship. Their joy filled voices did, in song, add to the adult choir — angelic music to this Grammy’s ears!!
Only youngsters needing to be carried out of Church by a parent were little ones needing the restroom. Each time this excursion was required, tiny arms were lovingly wrapped around a parent’s neck as the guardian securely carried, and cared for, the needs of their child. It was the picture of God’s relationship with His children and vice versa.
From birth, this congregation’s babies are not taught, but shown, how to worship God. This Church is not a place you graduate to when you are grown. Baby roots are from day one planted in God’s soil, watered by God’s Word and learn full force that Church is where you belong. Church is HOME, be they seeking and in need of celebration, discovery or refuge. Church is these youngsters’ natural setting, not an acquired seat when old enough for their feet to touch the floor when sitting. No matter how short their stature, their feet are never too tiny to stand with God and side by side their Church family.
The running order of this Church intentionally walks the path of children’s energy. Best chance of aiding focused, calm demeanor in these young worshippers resulted in putting Church Service first and Sunday School second. Chit-chat and playing with friends should always come second to praying with God; and, let’s be honest, it’s hard for the young to reverently and respectfully embrace and learn about God after being wound up from the recess of Sunday School. I chided myself for having initially thought this congregation as mixed up. Truly, it has sorted out, and eliminated, one of the greatest barriers for the young to sit in God’s presence and grow.
Am I now on the soap box of criticizing or restructuring 99.9% of America’s Sunday Worship protocol? No, I’m not. This is not my goal nor my calling. However, I can’t help but wonder if our conventional approach to the young in our churches is, in fact, shutting God’s little children out of His temple ???
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 