much and earnest

Something to think about from an article by Christopher D. Hall in this month’s Touchstone Magazine:

I understand the concept of “children’s church.” I sat in pews with small children before I was ordained. I know the constant juggling of Cheerios and crayons, the winces as plastic toys hit the tile floor, the random shrieks of babies, and the “whisper” of toddlers that carries halfway to the pulpit.

I’ve said prayers like this: “Our Father, who art in…ssshh! Put that down…thy kingdom come, thy will…no, don’t color on that…Give us this day…ssshh! I said….” It would be nice to have an hour of quiet, an hour of worship, an hour of attentiveness knowing that my children are hearing about our God and Savior.

Children’s church seeks to reach children at a level cognitively and emotionally appropriate at their age, all the while allowing parents to be attentive to worship, but it does a disservice to the children, disconnecting them from the church gathered as the complete Body of Christ, sacramentally present, serving the Body of Christ with our Lord himself. It does a disservice to adults, too, subtly giving them the impression that church is like the evening news or a PG-rated musical: adult fare that requires some maturity.

It’s at least worth pondering for us. Our four-month old is a seven-days-a-week responsibility. When should we take Seth Andrew out of the service? Before he begins to cry, or after he gives a good long wail?

Why can’t all our little ones worship with us?