Can we teach our children to worship God at the same time they are learning to walk, talk and tie their shoes? After all, worship is the only thing they will do forever!
In many churches today, bringing children into the full hour of congregational worship is postponed as long as possible. Generally, we have decided that we can worship better without them. In their book, Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon advocate including children in corporate worship as well as other aspects of kingdom work. They observe:
In many of our modern, sophisticated congregations, children are often viewed as distractions. We tolerate children only to the extent they promise to become "adults" like us. Adult members sometimes complain that they cannot pay attention to the sermon or listen to the beautiful music when fidgety children are beside them in the pews. "Send them away," many adults say. Create "children's church" so these distracting children can be removed in order that we adults can pay attention.
Today, we may be considered radical if we suggest that children go to "big church" before they start school. Yet, many pastors, teachers and parents are taking another look at the practice. They are re-examining what is being done to genuinely train children to worship our sovereign God. A fresh awareness of the blessings of the covenant community is driving leaders to seek new ways to incorporate children into the whole life of the church.
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