Becoming a Church Worth Growing Up In

by Grady D. King, D. Min

 

I can say with confidence that Jesus loves the little children. You probably want to start singing the song, don’t you?  Yet, some churches could post signs, “Adults Only.” I remember in the church of my childhood that it did feel that church was for “Big People,” particularly during worship time. If it wasn’t for Bible School, VBS, or playing with friends after church while adults talked, it certainly would have been an adult-only experience. Jesus shows us the way.

All three gospels have people bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing, and his disciples try to stop them, but Jesus says, “Let them come, do not hinder them.” Mark records that Jesus is indignant at the disciples. In all three contexts, Jesus’ blessing children is sandwiched in the middle of serious adult topics: divorce, riches, and the Pharisee & tax collector (Mt 19.14; Mk 10.14; Luke 18.16). Jesus uses this event to show adults that humility, like a child’s, is essential to receiving the kingdom. Children have so much to teach us if we pay attention; include and invest in them with the touch and blessing of Jesus. A lot of energy is put into Bible School/classes. Its origins and the way it has conditioned us into a school model has limitations if that is what we depend on.

Robert Raikes (1735-1811), an English journalist and philanthropist, is credited with the Bible School movement around 1780. In Gloucester, he used Sundays to teach poor working-class children how to read using the Bible and provided moral instruction on their only day off. And the model spread. Note the emphasis on “school,” which over time separated children into grade levels for learning. Not bad, but insufficient if that is the only model for faith formation. 

Consider the following for a church worth growing up in: 

Proactive inclusion of children/youth in the worship assembly. For example, inviting them to read Scripture, help tell Bible stories, serve communion alongside an adult, or lead prayers, etc. A great resource is Children Belong in Worship: The Why and How of Intergenerational Church.

Intentional intergenerational experiences. Not merely at the church building, but involved in home groups, parent-led experiential learning, including in service projects, visiting the elderly or homebound, family mission projects, etc. Invite some children into a minister/elder meeting to share what they are learning and pray over them.

Invest in fun times that celebrate their talents and accomplishments. Yes, I am saying fun is holy, and a church that cannot have fun together misses the joy of Jesus with children.

Children are great teachers. Let us learn as we help them learn.

About the Author

Grady serves as President of HOPE Network (HN).  His ministry life spans fifty years with forty years in congregational ministry in Churches of Christ in Oklahoma and Texas. While with HN he served six years as director of church resources at Oklahoma Christian.

His formal education includes degrees from Oklahoma Christian University (Bachelor of Science in Education); Abilene Christian University (Master of Science and Doctor of Ministry). His ministry passion is healthy leaders, healthy churches rooted in the gospel and missional life.

He and his wife, Karen live in Irving, TX, and are members of the Mansfield Church of Christ. They have two grown children and three grandchildren:  Josh, Carolyn, and Madeline King; Chad, Christin, Sawyer, and Hudson Paradowski.

He enjoys reading, writing, sports, playing with grandchildren, and anything helpful for church leaders.