Some Lutheran churches have a “Childrens’ Message” inserted into worship, a 5-minute discussion between the pastor and the young children of the congregation. There are good and bad things about children’s messages, but that discussion is tangential to what I want to get at.
I have heard it said — by Lutherans — that we need to have childrens’ messages “to include the children during regular worship services on Sunday mornings.” I appreciate the intent, but the premise is badly flawed.
St. Paul tells us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) We place no restriction on this truth, as if this only applied after a specific age or after some degree of cognitive ability. It is our first consolation to mothers who miscarry and lose their children before the opportunity to be baptized, that the Holy Spirit works faith through the Word in children who don’t even have the opportunity to respond. If a child is in the pew and words are going in his ear, he is included in the Divine Service.
I have twin girls, age six. They can and do participate in Matins, Vespers, Compline, and Divine Service III, often without the aid of a hymnal, and they have been able to recite the Lord’s Prayer since the age of three. They are involved in the regular service.
During the sermon, sure, their attention diverts and we either give them something to drink or something to draw on. To tell you the truth, sometimes my attention diverts during the sermon, and I bet I’m not the only one. I guess I should sit up front, too.
Youngsters can participate in worship, but even if they cannot, they are still included. Sometimes they need to be picked up in one arm and LSB in the other arm, and head gestures are used to draw the child’s focus on the music and the text. They will pick up on what’s going on, especially when the service is consistent from week to week. If they don’t, it may be their present God-given office to just listen.
Faith is an unearned gift from God. He who has ears, let him hear, whether he is a year old or of diminished mental capacity for whatever reason. Everyone is included in the Divine Service, even if he can’t utter a syllable.
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Couldn't agree more, Dan. I "inherited" the "children's message" at my congregation, but worked toward intentionally calling it "Catechesis." The children come forward, but it's meant for all the folks in the congregation. We walk together (how synodical of me!) through the six chief parts, then go through the parts of the liturgy together. Then back to the catechism again on a rotating basis. It's a good refresher for everyone. And even during the children's mess…er, I mean, Catechesis, I stress with the kids that the whole service is for them, too, and I commend them when I see them trying to follow along with their parents and the rest of us.
My home LCMS congregation has a "blended" service — not a real Divine Service, but a mashup of Divine Service with evangelical-style praise/worship music and a childrens' message. My girls (ages 3 and 5) enjoy the childrens' message but mainly because they enjoy being the center of attention. (And therein is, IMO, part of the problem with childrens' messages.) Anyway, last week we visited another local LCMS church that did Divine Service I and, far from feeling excluded or being bored, they were pretty fascinated by it. My 5-year old had never seen a LSB before (yeah, I know) and was really interested in following along with the hymns. The 3-year old was fascinated by the organ. And they really liked being able to recite the Lord's Prayer with everyone. (Sometimes in my home congregation they set the Lord's Prayer to music ala Michael W. Smith, and they can't follow along.)
People talk about replacing Divine Service with faux-evangelical praise services because it will get people more involved and engaged, but I'm thinking Divine Service is about as engaging and active as you can get. And I think we quite often badly underestimate the ability of children to follow along, in an engaged way, with "grown-up" church services.
Like Pr. Onken, I try to intentionally use Children's Messages to get the kids to be more involved in the rest of the service. I only have them on Matin Sundays (3rd of the month), which for the second time since I've been here the Second Sunday of Easter fell upon. Both times I've taught the kids to sing the Alleluias for "O Sons and Daughters of the King", to participate in the Easter greeting, and told them (and reminded the adults) of the meaning of "Alleluia"
I've seen some howlers…even done some howlers myself, unintentionally, of course. I think of children sermons I do (once or twice a month) more in pastoral terms. For some of the kids, especially the shy ones, this is good interaction with them. They know that I care for them, and their parents know that I care for them. I usually teach them something, do some 2nd grade exegesis on a reading or the like. I never do "object lessons" or try to make it cute. I know many, many do.
But in all honesty, I really don't believe they run counter to worship by definition. In practice, many churches make it simple pandering and entertainment. What to do?
My former ELCA church had a children message just before the sermon, it really didn't tie in with the sermon and was a waste of time. The adults thought it was cute to see the children go up front. My LCMS pastor doesn't believe in children's sermons, he believes that they get more out of the Divine Service by being in the pew and hearing.
[...] children in the service, one from my own church’s Cantor, Phillip Magness and one from the Necessary Roughness blog. no comments yet « [...]
I've experienced both points of view and I also appreciate the intent. But, yes, the premise is badly flawed.
The purpose of our ceremonies is to teach, especially the young and ignorant. A short part of the Sermon intended especially for kids can do that. I'm not a fan of the parade to the front and back, and like it better after the Sermon (as it seems to fit in better there). But I don't complain too much about it as some congregations deeply appreciate that part of the service for the teaching purpose. I don't know how to criticize that without sounding like the disciples keeping the kids away from Jesus.
The best part is that a good children's message can be an excellent way to add things to the service that otherwise would not really fit. A basic explanation of some part of the liturgy, or a quick Cathechism refresher, or a simple explanation of the Sermon, helps the whole congregation.