Over the years I have heard many stories about how parents compelled their children to behave “in church”. Anything from a little pinch on the bottom, taking them out for a good “talking to” and including threats made at home about what will happen if they don’t behave.
I do wonder.
When I served as a pastor I had trouble being upset with children being children. So they talk out loud. If it gets to the point my preaching couldn’t be heard above their voice (after all, I even sometimes had a microphone) my theory was it was time to quit preaching and start singing. My theory did not meet with universal support, nor even minority support for that matter.
Another thing I differed on from my congregations had to do with fast-moving little feet. Children shouldn’t run “in church”. Who invented that? My theory included children, when they meet a long space like an aisle, or an extended cave like under pews, or a hill like a stage, will do what any normal person would do, they ran and crawled. I thought it was neat myself. (No, as an adult I never did crawl under pews, except to retrieve a little one at going-home time.
I stand by my theory still today.
Why should children act like children at their own house, but have to act like adults in God’s house (so-called)?
Jesus said:
“I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3 God’s Word);
“Don’t stop children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:14 God’s Word);
“Whoever wants to be the most important person must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else.” Then he took a little child and had him stand among them. He put his arms around the child and said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37 God’s Word);
“Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of the kingdom of God. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it” (Mark 10:14-15 God’s Word).
Innocent, dependent, fresh-eyed and playful kids represent what God enjoys, no kidding!
So who are you kidding…?
4 responses to “Like the Kids”
nopew
January 18th, 2013 at 07:05
Thanks. Children are so often more fun than adults – and it shouldn’t be.
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robin claire
January 18th, 2013 at 05:21
Hi David,
Such a warm heart for children. This is the first time I’ve ever thought about children in church this way. It’s wonderful!
love to you my buddy,
robin claire
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nopew
January 16th, 2013 at 21:03
100% behind you! The impression we give lasts longer than any lesson or lecture or logic.
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greenlightlady
January 16th, 2013 at 19:08
I never wanted to give our kids negative vibes about church, so I would stuff my purse with books and toys that I had saved just for then so that they would be kept busy… Pinching a child in church seems ludicrous to me! 🙂 My daughter liked to draw all over my bulletin or in a notebook that I allowed her to. She takes notes often in church, now, as I do – and I like to draw/doodle in my sermon journal since it helps me pay attention and keeps me out of trouble.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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