Children in Worship.
December 5, 2007 – 10:34 amTonight is our Wednesday Evening worship at 7:30 pm. Trinity/Monroe is hosting the event at 70 Manalapan Road, Spotswood. Conklin UMC, South River is conducting the worship service. I am looking forward to worship tonight. The texts are Sunday’s lectionary readings.
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
In particular, for Wednesday nights, the clergy decided to expound on the Epistle Readings (Romans 15:4-13). I am really looking forward to just worshiping. My mom is coming up to stay with the kids. This is one several reason I am looking forward to it.
One of the challenges I have had recently has been worship with our children. I wonder what Jesus would expect regarding worship at church with children. Sundays for me are unique because I am up front (often with my wife) and my three little lovelies are left to the care of those saints that either enjoy them; enjoy the challenge; or [fill in the blank].
On vacation a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity of worshiping with them at Harvest Chapel (a Free Methodist church in Fredonia, NY). I love worshiping with my kids, but in some ways it is challenging;
- they have trouble sitting for the hour
- they can’t read the words for the songs
- they can’t understand the much of sermon because of their ages
- they can’t understand the much of the prayer because of their ages
When I try and help them by telling them what is going on and teaching them how to participate within the community, I inevitably feel like I am not participating myself (because I am engaged more with teaching the children then the moment) and at times I feel like I am interrupting (e.g., talking to the children about what prayer is and appropriate postures of prayer in church). One of my favorite things to do with them is hold them during the music and sing to them, but as they get bigger that is getting more difficult.
On that particular Sunday, I short-circuited and we left early. (The sermon was shaping up to be a good one - the pastor was talking about Mary (Jesus mother) being asked by God to give birth to Jesus and how God at times asks us to be unconventional or uncomfortable with what He is asking us to do.) The whole experience of dealing with my expectations regarding my children and what I expected from worship caused me to be challenged regarding what worship is and how we can engage our children in what God would want from His little creations during worship. My children are precious gifts from God and have their expressions of worshiping and honoring God (which typically involves making up songs or singing, praying, jumping around, and drawing/coloring).
Is worship something for all generations together? I think it is. Why are children considered disruptive in worship? Why did I feel so much pressure appropriateness in worship, as to not bother people around us? How can worship be structured so that it can be edifying for all generations at the same time in the same room?
Have children? Any insights? Any ideas?
