Children and The Church: A year without children's ministry

So for the last year or so we have lived as the church with a small group of people. While we do hope for our community to grow and flourish, for now we live our lives as a family that loves each other. We have no worship team, no greeters, no ushers and the biggest thing NO CHILDREN'S MINISTRY! 

Yes you heard that right, no children's ministry. While I am not against children's ministry, I have definitely learned many things from not having children's ministry. There have been many meetings where I have taught and had children crying loudly, fall asleep, run wildly, not pay attention, get sick, whatever could happen has happened. I even had a child poop on me as a meeting was about to start in my home. 

I have come to find that while I have tried and prayed to be an influence in the lives of the children in our church, I have come to find they have influenced me more. So here are my thoughts. 

I take myself too seriously...

"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away."    (Matthew 19:13-15 ESV) 

I can only imagine what the disciples were saying during this interaction. My impression was they thought Jesus was doing something too serious for these children. They probably thought they needed to be doing something separate, like children's church.  Again I have no problems with children's ministry, but many times I find that our dealings with children in the church is us trying to make them act like adults when actually the gospel calls us to be more like children. My children, not literally mine, teach me to have more fun!

I have become more patient...

In the beginning of my church planting journey, I was convinced that good and correct teaching would save this city and mature our church. While I do believe there is a place for strong teaching, it should never be at the cost of being unloving towards our younger members, our children.

"Stop, hush, be still, we are talking about a loving, and patient God. You're getting on my last nerve."

Talk about living the word (sarcasm intended)!

I look at these children and cant help seeing myself before I was saved, and even myself now. I see from God's perspective, I see how an eternal God is trying to communicate the truth about himself to me, a mere babe. I get bored, distracted, and poop on things (figuratively of course.). And during it all He abounds in love, grace, mercy, and patience. The best thing we can do is live the word in front of our children. We should strive to be patient with them, teach them graciously, and love them dearly!

I see the real need for discipleship...

Our church planting journey started on the premise that we were not coming to start a service but rather to make disciples. Many times we want the church to disciple our kids for us, but honestly that job falls on parents. As leaders in the church we should be equipping people to make disciples. Not just equip people to reach their neighbors, coworkers and the barista at the coffee shop, but also our children. I look at these kids and realize that one day it will be my job to help reveal Christ to my own little child, to pray for them in hopes that they will grow up to put their faith in Christ and in turn make disciples too. I pray that as a church we would press on parents more that they are called to disciple their children and not to rely on staff and programs. They should look to those things to aid them not replace them.

Are we at a disadvantage?

I don't see ourselves at a disadvantage for not having a children's program. I firmly believe that our children have a unique place in our churches to help disciple and strengthen us. While we have not had a children's ministry, my hope is that we have ministered to children. I pray we focus more on equipping parents to disciple and lead their children. They have just as much to teach us, if not more, as we have to teach them.