“According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary. The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle…Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.”
Numbers 3:28-29, 31 NKJV
Finally! An Old Testament verse says what I’ve felt in my heart for years – children have a place in the sanctuary!
When we lived in Tyler, I read a book called “Parenting from the Pew”. The author, a Pastor’s wife, explained how they included their children in the church service from infancy. There were many good ideas that resonated with me. The best place for children in church is in the pew, alongside their parents. They belong there as much as – if not more than – anyone!
I heard Intercessor and Revivalist Lou Engle share a powerful message at Shady Grove once. He said abortion mentality was rampant in the church and among Christians. He explained that an abortion mentality says children are inconvenient and a burden. It sounds like “I can’t be bothered to work in the nursery because I don’t like snotty noses or don’t want to miss the sermon.” But a life mentality says children are a gift and a blessing! Bring them!! They’re noisy? That’s ok! He concluded his sermon with this statement: “Show me a church turning away volunteers in the nursery – and I’ll show you where revival is.” In other words, LIFE mentality welcomes revival. We can’t truly say we support life if we want nothing to do with children.
While “age appropriate ministry” may have a place for sermons and teaching the Word of G-d, I believe children belong in service for worship. Only once in all of our moving have we attended a church that removed the children for the full service. It went against everything I felt, but Pastor Holly was a rare person that taught the children how to worship, she didn’t entertain them. She engaged them and involved them.
Research shows that 80-90% of children raised in church leave when they graduate high school. My theory is they do so because they don’t belong – they don’t know how to or have a place to serve in “big” church, and “big” church is a much different experience! Gone is the entertainment, fun, and games.
G-d’s design was for children – one moth and up – to be a part of sanctuary ministry from the beginning of time. Yes, they need to be trained to be quiet and shown how to participate. Yes, they may get loud. Yes, it is exhausting at times. Yes, it would be nice to “have a break”. But if we want to raise children that passionately pursue G-d, we have to train them intentionally. One hour a week isn’t enough. They will learn to worship by watching us. They will learn to love His presence by participating in worship. They will learn the value of community and where they belong by being a part of the body.
What place if any should children have in church? They should have the front row. They should be a part of serving in the sanctuary. Yeshua said let the little children come to him. Children belong. It’s that simple.
Father – thank You for Your grace and for churches that have embraced our children over the last 12 moves – for Kari, Holly, Ashlie, Leah. For Pastor Olen, Pastor Jeff, and Pastor Kerry. For LifeChurch who put wings to Alathia’s dream and our dear friend Brent who championed Randal as a young worship leader – thank You. So many who have opened their hearts and made a way for our children to serve and learn in Your Presence. I am grateful!! You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Numbers 3-4