Splash! Top Tips
Each quarter, this page will be updated with new Top Tips from Angela Grigson, the editor of Splash!...
October – December 2011
As children’s group leaders, we are acutely aware of our children being part of the church. We can emphasise this in our groups, but we also need to make sure that the children are valued and welcomed by the whole congregation. In this extract from his book Mega Top Tips on Offering the Best Children’s Ministry, Paul Butler offers some thoughts on children and worship.
We need to see children as equal worshippers when we gather together for worship. In our regular worship we should expect children to participate, and value their contribution.
As the young family walk into church together, is it just the adults who are greeted, or is everyone made welcome? Are the children offered their own copies of the books, service sheets etc? Saying they cannot read will not do; it is the act of being treated equally which matters. Our welcome of all as they arrive sets the tone for the worship. It should mirror God’s welcome of us. In churches where ‘the Peace’ is shared during worship we must ask ourselves, ‘Is this expressing God’s peace and welcome to all?’ Or is it grudging or selective?
As children grow, are they invited to become part of the team that welcomes others, shares in taking up collections, leads prayers, reads the Scriptures etc? Involve and engage them in any and every way possible, seeing them as equals. When children lead a song, or perform a drama don’t set it up, or view it, as a performance; see it as one way in which they are contributing to worship. Applaud them if it seems right – but then applaud adults in the same way too!
Where we provide good things for children, like areas with soft, quiet toys, are we providing things that connect with the worship as a whole, or are they merely activities which distract? All the time we should be seeking to help children engage with God alongside their older Christian brothers and sisters.
For more information, see the Scripture Union Book ‘Mega Top Tips on Offering the Best Children’s Ministry’.