Parenting in the Pew, by Robbie Castleman, is a book I am reading thanks to my friend and former Director of Children's Ministry here at CCC, Donna Harris. This little book has big vision for children in church. It is encouraging and inspiring! Help me get a conversation going on how parents can "Guide your children into the joy of worship" (the subtitle of the book).
Let's be real: Bringing children into a worship service each Sunday can be difficult! We want Sunday morning worship to be a time of spiritual respite. With toddlers to teenagers in tow, respite does not always describe our experience. Recipe for distraction can be more like it! "The temptations to just stay home, or at least to keep the kids out of the sanctuary, are real. It's hard to pay attention to God and children at the same time" (p 16, emphasis mine). Can you relate?
Fresh perspective can make a big difference! Imagine that we are building something and this is our foundation: We desire our children come to know and love Jesus. To love Jesus is also to love his people, the church. One way we express this love is in commitment to corporate worship. Worshiping with other believers in Christ can be a delight, not duty. When we delight in something good, we want to pass it on to our children. And here's the catch: Delighting in worship with our children is going to take effort. Planning. Yes, even humility! But it's worth it. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me" and he wasn't in kids' church or a Sunday School classroom! He was with presumptuous adults. Our cooing babies, squirmy preschoolers and sometimes-sulking teens are welcome in worship. Together we make up the family of God!
Practical tips to come....
http://www.christianbook.com/parenting-revised-edition-with-study-guide/robbie-castleman/9780830823406/pd/823409?dv=c&en=google-pla&kw=family-0-20&p=1167941&gclid=CKjz4Yr7t7wCFckWMgod-gEATg
So true. We often want church/worship wrapped-up in a nice and orderly package - including children and their behavior - but that is not reality. Love the image of JC calling the kids to Him outside and amongst presumptuous adults! And we stir at a crying baby or crackling mic - heck in JC's time they might have had animals around and birds dropping poo from above :)
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