Have you heard it lately?? I have!! It’s incredible!! It’s a wonderful sound. It’s the sound of children in our church. It’s not just the sound of children coming to Sunday School. Oh, I enjoy that and interacting a bit with our children. But the sound I’m thinking of is the sound of children with us in worship!! To me, it’s the sound of children being taught through parent’s actions the value of connecting with a church family and the value of connection with God! Young children with their parents & families in worship is a beginning point for children learning to connect with the spiritual part within each of them.
I’m reminded of a church that I visited in the district I served when I was a district superintendent. There were no children in that church. They said it was much too quiet. They also knew that without children and families in their church, that within a matter of years that church would most likely shut it’s doors forever. They didn’t want that to happen, not just for the sake of the institution of the Church, but because that church family believed that Jesus still had much to offer their community and the world today.
So, early in my time of ministry on the district, when I was meeting with this church family, and they were lamenting about their situation. I asked them what they were going to do about it? They weren’t sure. I made a comment about making babies. They just laughed and said, “Look at us pastor. That’s not happening.” I asked them if they remembered how old Sarah was when she had a baby?” I challenged them to take my question seriously, about what were they going to do about the lack of children in their church.
After I left that meeting, and over the next several months…they started doing something about it. They made some changes and improvements to make their church more children and family friendly. They actually worked on becoming a friendlier and more inviting church family. But the most important thing they did was that they began to pray for children.
Two or three years later, when I visited them again toward the end of my time as their DS, they were so excited to report to me that they had 4-5 baptisms that past year. They had even started a Sunday School. They loved the sound of children in their church. We had a great celebration that evening around about a remarkable change that had happened in their church and the fact there were children’s noises in their church building once again.
I’m reminded of a well-known story told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The story is of parents bringing their children to Jesus so he could be near him and experience his love. The disciples were the curmudgeons, trying to keep the children away from Jesus, after all, he was a busy man. He had more important things to do than have his day interrupted with children. Fortunately, Jesus intervened and straighten the disciples out about what was most important. You likely know the words Jesus spoke. “Let the children come to me. Do not stop them, for it is to one’s such as this that the Kingdom of God belongs.” Luke 18:16.
I am so glad I serve a church that is open to and welcoming of children…and the sounds that often accompany children. It is truly a wonderful sound and I believe it makes Jesus smile. Next time you hear children noise in worship, give thanks to God and maybe even compliment the parents/family for understanding the importance of bringing children to church!!
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith