The Divine Service is the True "Children's Church"
Necessary Roughness - The Divine Service is the True "Children's Church"
The Divine Service sings the same words and melody from week to week, which makes it easy for kids to pick up. Perhaps our services would be more palatable for children if we return to singing the liturgy. Music is a wonderful mnemonic device; what a fine way to get the Word of God to stick into our heads.This past Sunday I became horribly self conscious about our normally well behaved children. It was only our second sunday at the fieldwork church and the first for the whole family. Immediately after the words of institution, Gabriel's incoming teeth really got to him and he did not desire to be in church. Now we are only five rows back so we waited out his tirade. The congregation was singing so we felt it wouldn't be too bad. He even was a wreck for the distribution at the rail. I took him to the back after that experience and stayed there through the end. I wouldn't have been so self conscious except our field work supervisor has received complaints from field work churches that our wives don't know when it is appropriate to take kids out of church. I really don't want that call. Yet Gabriel belongs in worship. He sings along, he recognizes the Lord's Prayer. He can participate and return God's gift of worship. This post brought me peace.
