Let the Children Worship
Every church is different, even within the same denomination. Though we worship the same triune God, proclaim the same gospel, aim at the same holiness, each church has their own culture, their own emphasis, their own “thing.” If you had to describe Raymond Presbyterian Church to someone, what words would you describe? How would you define our culture? What would you say is our “thing”? If I could have one book shape the culture of our church, it would be Jason Helopoulos’ Let The Children Worship. Now, why? Let me provide three reasons, starting with the most important.
First, the inclusion of children in worship best portrays the gospel of grace. Over and over, we find Jesus Christ going to the “least of these.” We do not find Him frequenting the houses of the affluent, nor we find Him having drinks with the influential. Instead, who do our most beloved stories of Jesus involve? The woman caught in adultery, the tax collectors and sinners, the lame, the blind, the hungry, and the children. But just like the disciples, we fail to catch the hint, don’t we? In Matthew 19:14, “The disciples rebuked the people [who brought children to Jesus].” Mark adds that Jesus was “indignant,” anger, outraged even at such behavior! (Mark 10:14) Why? “Let the children com not me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
We live in a culture in which children are considered a burden, a hassle, and a disruption. We often hear of children as a hindrance to personal freedom, of their contribution to global warming, and of their exploitation in horrendous ways. What is more countercultural today than the inclusion of our children into our worship? What speaks to their value more than bringing them into the presence of God on Sunday morning? If we want to provide a bold witness to the gospel of grace, it begins with letting our children worship.
Two, the inclusion of children in worship provides them that which is most necessary for their growth. Jason Helopoulos draw out a keen insight into parenting by highlighting our desire to provide the best for our children. We long to see our children have the best education, the best opportunities, the best of everything. How many times have we heard someone say, “My children will have all that I never had growing up”? Now, tell me - what is the best thing we could provide for our children? Is it not being in the presence of God? Is it not worship? This is what they were created for! God has established His strength “out of the mouth of babies and infants.” (Psalm 8:2) Even from a young age, the rhythms, the hymns, and even the preaching begins to shape their young minds. A dear friend of mine who is much older reflected once on the first time he read the Bible for himself as a teen. When he opened the book, it greeted him as an old friend because he had frequented her pages in worship from child. More lasting than scholarships, more satisfying than trophies, more beneficial than opportunities, providing what is most beneficial to our church begins with letting our children worship.
Three, we have a God-given command to pass our faith to the next generation. Yes, a large part of this takes place in family worship and the day-to-day interactions with our children. But what do we communicate if we leave our children out of worship? “Worship is only for grown-ups.” “You cannot contribute as a child.” The means of grace (Word, sacrament, and prayer) communicate the benefits of Christ in a real and tangible way to the next generation. From a young age, we want our children to know that God meets them every step of the way. Even if our children wander away from the faith, the faith passed on to them as a child may be the very tool by which God draws them back to Himself.
Now, you may be reading this and say, “Well, I don’t have children.” But wait - didn’t we all take a vow at their baptism? “Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?” We all have a responsibility in the care of our children. “Care” may be listening to the sermon over the roars of baby coo’s, the rustling of papers, and the litany of pencils rolling down the sanctuary floor. “Care” may be sitting next to a young mother and holding a hymnal and comforting a child. “Care” may be going out of your way to speak to a child to make them feel apart of the church community. Jason Helopoulos offers a multitude of ways in which our church can encourage the worship of our God by our kids.
Now, is this hard? As a pastor with an eight-year-old and an infant, I am well aware of the challenges. (And so is Jason Helopoulous!) However, Let the Children Worship provides many practical helps for better acclimating our children to a worship service. Thankfully, the author does not treat the issue in a tyrannical fashion; instead, he displays great empathy in encouraging parents an church members in the inclusion of children. From Saturday night routines to nursery for infants to the mechanics of being in worship, Jason provides achievable goals for us all.
Let me return to our opening thought. What will our church look like in ten years? Let us together answer that question with intentionality. My desire is that our church would be a place where a multitude of children worship. Praise God that we already have an array of children lifting their voices in praise and thanksgiving! Let us pray for more and more. I would heartily encourage everyone to pick up a copy of Let the Children Worship that we may grow in our understanding of the why and how of making worship accessible for our children and their parents. Copies can be purchased here.
