Guest Post: The Church and Children

[Today’s post is the fourth in our “The Church and…” series. Paula Harington. Paula writes regularly for Forthright magazine, and also has a personal blog, “Thinking Jesus,” with uplifting articles. She is the author of Sunday Afternoon with the Preachers’ Wives, a book designed to give personal reflections for the wives of preachers and from the wives of preachers. Paula, the mother of 5, also is a regular on a podcast called A Better View, a roundtable podcast with 3 Christian ladies (search for it on iTunes). We are grateful for the time she took in writing today’s post. You may find her blog here.]

Recently, I heard of an effort that took place one Sunday afternoon at a neighboring congregation. A group of teenagers decided that they would meet at their church building and then, with their Bibles in tow, would car pool and convoy to another, smaller congregation in order to worship. They called their idea “pew packing.” When they spoke of this endeavor, they couldn’t hide their excitement.

Why was it so exhilarating, you might ask?  There was no hidden agenda.  These Christians were eager about the opportunity to meet and encourage others. The best part of this plan was that there wasn’t an adult in the mix. These young people were the sole force behind this uplifting “scheme.”  I was extremely proud when I heard of their idea but I wasn’t surprised. That’s the kind of the kids we have in the church today.

It only takes a few moments to find stories in your newspaper of wayward teens and their exploits. The discouraging statistics are certain to disappoint and alarm you.  However, there are many wonderful, godly children whose daily lives of striving to follow God aren’t making the local headlines. These young people face trials and temptations that were unheard of when we were their age, yet they persevere.  They stand together and proclaim Jesus when so many of their peers seek the world’s acceptance.  Like the young preacher to which Paul wrote  in I Timothy 4:12, they press on despite their age, set examples for others, and win souls for Christ. By their choices and goals, they demonstrate to the older members of the church that this world is no match for our God. 

There are a few steps that you can take to acquaint yourself with the kids in your congregation. In doing so, you will not only gain a friend, you will have the opportunity to change the future.

Learn them!

Whether we’re from a congregation of 15 or 1500, we have a responsibility to learn the names and faces of our young people. Start by asking for a list of the kids in your congregation and use it to learn their names. 

Teaching a Bible class, of any age, is an excellent way to not only meet the children, but to grow closer to God.  In a Bible class setting, you’ll have many occasions to share your life with your students. They need your support, guidance, and encouragement and it’s imperative that they see people, other than their parents, who are living for Christ.  Young Christians have a desire to see others who have battled hard times and not wavered in their faith. 

Another method of acquainting yourself with the youth is to have them in your home.  If the thought of having the entire youth group at once is overwhelming, pick a grade or two and invite them for dinner or maybe just the young ladies or young men separately. If your home is not large enough for the group, utilize your congregation’s activity building.

The ideas are endless when it comes to getting to know your kids. The key is doing it.  Take the initiative. Devote some of your time to learning these young people. The result will be a bond of love and encouragement that will last forever.

Love Them!

Now that you have the list with each of their names, begin praying for them.  From the babies in the cradle roll to the young adults in the college class, never forget to take their names before the Throne of God.

Get involved in what they’re doing.  The children in my congregation stay busy with work camp, church camp, VBS, Sunday night devotionals, Summer Youth Series, youth retreats, game nights, lock-ins, lock-outs, scavenger hunts, camp-outs, and many other activities.  You’ll never regret giving a child your time and the encouragement you’ll receive from these young people will uplift and strengthen you in your walk with Christ.

Sadly, there are some young people within the church who have less than happy home lives and because of this, they need physical links to the congregation. Be their link. Spending time with them with enhance your love for them and folks, we need to show them that we love them.  Too many of our young people are searching for love and acceptance in the world.  It’s time we show them where true love originated.  Write notes of encouragement, send them an e-mail, or friend them on Facebook. Never let them forget how special they are to you and Jesus.

Lead Them!

The great commission doesn’t have to take place a million miles away. It can begin a few pews over from where you sit on Sunday mornings or a couple of blocks over from where you sleep at night. Bringing a soul to Christ is the greatest accomplishment one can obtain. However, we must have a relationship with God first.  If we proclaim Jesus one day then reject him the next, those watching will take note and we will answer to God for our actions.

Let us remember that parenting the children of the congregation is not the youth minister’s responsibility nor should he be punished when they make mistakes. We should take every opportunity to encourage and support the youth minister and his family at all times, constantly bearing in mind that we are all Kingdom workers.

Not only are children a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), they are the church’s greatest asset. By their lives, they prove daily that the church of the future is well and alive in the present.  Don’t you think it’s time we show them how important they are to us?  

What a wonderful legacy you could pass on to a young person if only you take the time to learn them, love them, and lead them.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. . . (I John 1:3)

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[To end this post, here’s a video of the Lebanon Road youth group on their retreat, made by one of own young people. –Adam]