I Can't Use These Texts!

So much for enjoyment....I've been looking at the lectionary texts for our rally Sunday.

The first text is one of judgement with one of the more mild lines being "they are stupid children."

One of the (familiar) verses from Psalm 51 is "Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother's womb."

There's a lot of this kind of emphasis on sinfulness, judgement, etc. in these texts.

I do think awareness of sin, our need for grace and such things are important for several significant reasons. But how you teach that, especially if you use some of these texts, without doing it in a way that's demeaning to a child by communicating to them that they're a no good, evil doing, stupid kid and if they're lucky God will be nice enough not to do them in for it?

My Old Testament professor at United Seminary talked about texts of terror. He believes that there are some texts that no matter how they are presented in a context such as a church service will be heard in an inappropriate and damaging way by some people present. He believes these texts should not be used in church services, but reserved for contexts in which appropriate discussion about them can take place such as might be done in some Bible studies.

I had my own texts of terror when I was a kid. There were things that really haunted me, for years.

How do I be faithful to what I believe, to what we believe, to the texts, and to our tradition in a way that will be helpful and not harmful to the kids at church?

May I say that I think what it takes to work with kids in a church setting is, generally speaking, way under rated. Childhood is a formative time. Furthermore children's' cognitive abilities and skills are still developing, they are not the same as an adult's. This means that working with kids calls for an adequate handle on religious and theological issues, plus the ability to present them in age appropriate ways. In my experience, this is no small task.

Pray for me and for our kids.

Let's Have Fun

I'm a little serious sometimes. (In fact that's probably a pretty big understatement and certainly not news to anyone who knows me personally.) I will not say being serious is a bad thing. But a more lightheartedness & levity would no doubt serve me & those around me well.

I've been thinking about the upcoming year of church programming, Sunday School, etc. I think whether you talk to kids, to adults about their current experiences, or to adults about their experiences as kids, one of the big problems related to church is how often it's experienced as boring.

I don't think it should be that way. I think there are things we can do about that. Lets find them. I'm thinking my goal for this year for church and Sunday School programming might be to have fun. In expansive order, not in order of priority specifically to:

• Enjoy ourselves
• Enjoy each other
• Enjoy church
• Enjoy God

Don't worry, I won't be throwing out theology or anything like that. I don't think I could do that if I wanted to, it seems like its just wired into me. But if kids (or adults) can't do what they do at church with enjoyment, I don't think they'll want to do it very long. I think healthy & lively spirituality grows out of an inner drive of the spirit (of the person) and the Spirit (God) in communion with each other. This tends to be exciting and engaging. I don't think a healthy & lively spirituality is well nurtured out of an inner drive for duty that has turned to drudgery.

So, lets look for sparks of joy and fuel them so we increasingly enjoy our worship, our learning, our fellowship and our service.

Exasperation and Grace

Sometimes I become so exasperated, frustrated, angry, embarrassed and humiliated in face of my children's' behaviour during church that I'm close to tears and I feel like fleeing rather than staying in the presence of the congregation witnessing the situation.

I suppose I notice a lot more of the behavior issues than most people in the congregation (I certainly hope so) but I really get about to the end of my rope sometimes. Besides that, I can hardly imagine that some people in the congregation don't think my parenting is seriously deficient and insecurity about that makes me just want to crawl in a hole.

Not to say that there aren't issues, but I have to tell you about the grace that happened again today. I apologized to a person I don't really know who I thought might be particularly unhappy about the disruptions caused by my kids. They smiled and very kindly (and I believe sincerely) told me it was alright. Whew. Thank you, thank you, thank you, again.

This is the context in which I hear "...you have graciously accepted us as living members of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ..."

They Have to Be Doing Something

Last week was Vacation Bible Camp. Gethsemane joined St Mark's Cathedral.

My job was basically to be in charge of the 3-4 year olds.

One of the adults (who I think was sent to help for a couple days when it was becoming apparent what a difficult and desperate situation it was to be in charge of the 3-4 year olds) pointed out about this age that they have to be doing something.

I think that has good applicability beyond age 4 and its gotten me thinking in terms of what we offer kids (or adults) the chance to do (other than sit still and be quite) when they're at church.

Here are examples of positive responses from my kids or others that stand out to me :

• Participation in the Palm Sunday procession elicited a spontaneous "that was fun."
• During some music last week one of my kids wanted me to dance with them.
• Going forward and receiving communion seems important and to be desired.
• Dipping fingers in the baptismal water to make the sign of the cross is frequently done.
• Lighting a candle, making an offering and praying for someone is requested.
• Art work is popular. Someone made a note on the art room chalk board "Art Room - Yes!"

I'm thinking about more ways we can make church an active, doing experience. Not doing for the sake of doing itself....but as a way to express and engage with things that often remain cerebral and unengaging to kids, and even to many of us adults.