Let the Children Come

One of my favorite worship services is the one when the children’s choirs share their spring music concert. Last night was no exception. Children sang. Parents smiled. Grandparents smiled broader. Cameras flashed. It’s no wonder Jesus loved children and rebuked His disciples when they tried to keep the kids away from Him. “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16),” He said. I’ve never understood why some churches consistently have difficulty recruiting volunteer children’s workers. I’m often tempted to say on a given Sunday, “Someone else preach. I’m going to work with the kids today.” In fact, I said that in one church where I was serving as Interim Pastor and immediately had a host of volunteers. Seems no one wanted to preach. In the midst of all our slick strategies to grow churches, let’s not forget that if we miss the children, we create the possibility for a dead church in two generations. Let the children come.