Children in Worship – 3 Reasons to Bring the Kids
The child sat coloring her paper. Yet despite her mother’s sincere efforts to keep her quiet, her innocent whispers reached the pew where Ms. Margaret sat. The result was a sour look shot right to the heart of an already self conscious young mother. Unsurprisingly, that family never returned to church.
Every congregation is unique, so there isn’t a universal solution to how each church should navigate children in worship. Yet while it may be tempting to exclude kids from the main worship service completely, there are three compelling reasons to include children in corporate worship.
1. Children Need to Worship
Children are image bearers just like adults. Too often, they are seen as less than a full person. I was amazed when my first
A child who is sent off to be entertained during worship loses an opportunity to interact with their God in the context of a worshiping community. Children are not just passive observers in the journey of faith; they have their own unique spiritual experiences and connections with God. When we exclude children from the worship service and send them off to separate classes or programs, we unintentionally hinder their ability to cultivate a personal relationship with their Creator.
Children have the same basic spiritual need for corporate worship as older members. By keeping them engaged in the main worship service, we provide them with the opportunity to experience God’s presence alongside the larger church community.
2. Children Find Spiritual Formation in Community
Worship alongside adults plays a major role in a child’s spiritual formation. By actively participating in corporate worship, children learn the spiritual discipline of sitting under the preached Word. By being present during the sermon, children are taught to hear and obey the Word of God.
Ironically, this lesson is caught more than it’s taught. As a father of six, I can appreciate how sobering and even frightening it is to know that your children observe how well you submit to Scripture. If you speak highly of God’s Word, yet make a practice of regularly skipping the church’s primary teaching time, your children will know your words are meaningless.
Children Need To See Your Passion in Worship
It’s also important for children to observe their parent’s passion in worship. I do not mean to imply that parents need to be uncharacteristically emotional, but that children should see their parents’ relationship with Christ reflected in how parents worship.
As a child, I learned that my dad was very quiet and even introspective in corporate worship. Though he wouldn’t lift his hands like some, he was quietly engaged with his Savior. From observing the spiritual side of him, I learned that my dad loved Jesus and valued time spent in worship.
Parents are the driving force in
“If your children are going to get the most out of the worship service it WILL start with the example you set.”
Matt Norman
3. The Church Needs Children
If a child has made a profession of faith and is indwelled by the Holy Spirit, they are not merely bystanders in the body of Christ but active participants with unique gifts and contributions to offer. While they may not take on adult leadership roles or tasks, the Holy Spirit works through them to edify and encourage others within the church community.
Children have a remarkable ability to display genuine love, compassion, and faithfulness. Their faith can serve as a powerful example to adults, reminding them of the simple trust and wholehearted devotion that God desires from His followers. The Holy Spirit can work through children to bring comfort, encouragement, and a fresh perspective to those around them.
Children Have Spiritual Gifts
Children possess a natural inclination to share their faith with others. Their enthusiasm and excitement for the good news of Jesus can be contagious, sparking curiosity and interest in those who may have become jaded or distant from their own faith. By including children in worship, we create opportunities for them to share their testimonies, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through their words and actions to touch the hearts of both young and old.
It is important for the church to recognize and affirm the spiritual gifts and potential of children. By valuing their contributions and providing opportunities for them to serve and participate in worship, we not only empower them to grow in their faith but also demonstrate that they are integral members of the body of Christ. When children are embraced and encouraged to use their gifts, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for the church’s mission, fostering a lifelong commitment to serving God and others.
The Lord used the boy Samuel to prophecy destruction on the house of Eli. He used the yet unborn John to greet and announce the presence of the unborn Jesus. Jesus himself later chastised the adults surrounding him for dismissing children. “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”. Matthew 9:14 (
When the church minimizes the role of children in worship, it minimizes the work of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within them. When children are not present in the gathering, the entire church is at a loss.
What we can do
Instead of sending kids out, there are many ways they can be involved during worship. They can say public prayers, read scriptures and sometimes lead songs. Though most churches involve children in worship on special occasions like Children’s Sundays and seasonal programs. Many have yet to intentionally integrate their participation on a regular basis.
This article doesn’t begin to touch on issues such as infants, nursing mothers, and families with special needs. However, all churches and families must ask themselves if they are best served by removing children from the main worship service. It is possible that your church is missing the encouragement of children just as much as the children are missing them.
