Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/96

Contributor - Alice Hartmans

Title - On Children and Church

Topic - Children

Some churches like their children to be seen and not heard. they have nurseries with sound-proof glass and parents "check" their babies at the door. Other churches don't mind a little hub-bub. Their ministers compete with the babble of tiny babies. Kids help to make decisions and assist in leading worship. They know that children minister in unexpected ways.

A few weeks ago I was reminded that Jesus loves the little children. I bad been debating with a friend over whether our church should offer a nursery during the first part of the Sunday worship service. I don't find other people's kids distracting in church, but my own 15-month-old tests my patience. I find it difficult to feel 'worshipful" while Erin cries "Mo! Mo!" to get another fistful of Fruit Loops from the family in the pew behind us. Being the pastor's family doesn't help. I shrink behind my church bulletin each time Erin yells "Dada!" during a prayer or tries to sing along with the choir anthem.

One Sunday, after the usual antics and squawks, Erin decided to go to the front to hear her father tell a children's story. She didn't sit on the stairs with the other kids. Instead she toddled around the front of the church, swinging her little dress from side to side. She stopped and pointed to her father's story prop. 'Ball!' she exclaimed, a wee pudgy finger touching the purple ball in Peter's hands.

'Yes, ball,' her father agreed, and the congregation chuckled.

Satisfied with her keen sense of observations, Erin took a seat with the other children on the stairs. But she couldn't stay put. She bobbed up and down, humming to the rhythm of her bounces. A wise mother slipped forward to make sure the flowers didn't jump off their pedestal nearby. I watched, wide-eyed and unsure of what to do.

Then Erin spotted the little stool on which her father always sits to tell the children's story. Immediately she was at Peter's side. She turned and tried to sit on the inch or two of vacant stool. Unsatisfied with this allotment, she stood up and sat down again, this time pushing Peter over a little. After considerable nudging, father and daughter both sat on the stool-Peter trying to recall his story, and Erin facing the congregation with a beaming grin.

What did I learn from this episode (I certainly don't remember the children's story)? I learned about Fruit Loops and friends, little stools and laughter, babbling babies and the Bible. Perhaps they do belong together in church. And perhaps we may all someday be so excited about being with God and God's people that we all bounce up and down in the pews!

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