Ways and Journeys

For alot of evangelicals the concept of spiritual journey seems unorthodox yet for the Eastern Orthodox a guarantee that you're "saved" is unorthodox. Have you been journeying with Christ or did you make a decision and your journey ended or something in between? When Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, no man comes to the Father but by me..." what did He mean? A path, a road, a how-to, a guarantee?

I'm reading another book: Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey: Nurturing a Life of Faith by Catherine Stonehouse. So I went to Bible Gateway's lexicon looking for that word "way" in the passage where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. . . I expected to see a word used infrequently, or some Greek word for "path" or "road" or "journey". But, apparently, that word for "way" in John 14 (from the Gk "autos") appears 530 times just in John ... looking at the first definition with my non-Greek student understanding - I am himself, the truth, the life . . . which says to me, "a person" embodying truth, embodying life ... Without knowing the Greek, the passage itself paints that picture ... how often did Christ (who is the way) say "Follow me"?

...I'll be revisiting John 14 ...

I wonder...

Puppies disconnecting my internet connection . . . here we go...

While I'm reading the book, here's a passage of scripture where children encounter Christ. I added my wonder questions instead of comments and you can come up with your own ... [The concept of "wonder questions" comes from Young Children in Worship.]

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

"Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray Mt. 14: 13-23 (NIV)

You already know I ask alot of questions... Out of my 30+ wonder questions, I decided to leave you with just this . . .

I wonder what the children experienced that day? Would they remember? Would they hear their parents tell the story over and over?

Emerging kids?

...just for the record...

I was thinking tonight that the name of this blog is Emergingkids...but it's probably more about the j0urney of emerging adults looking for ways to engage their children in this journey of faith...and our quest to think differently about faith walking in the way of Jesus...

Puppies and exponential challenges

Taking a break...

Ellie's leash slipped out of my hand yesterday so she seized the opportunity to trot down the slope prancing into morning traffic which, thankfully, was slow. I followed of course, Nyah in tow. She came willingly for a change eager for the adventure. Sun in my eyes, I could only see the black puppy, not the cars slowing and stopping. I finally caught the leash. Luckily she wasn't running. She runs like a bullet.

But there is a point... increased numbers doesn't neccessarily mean that the challenges only double for two or triple for three. (If I was a math expert. . .) Let's try this: sometimes challenges multiply exponentially? Is that the word?

And never try to reach in between two combative puppies hoping to lure them out of their struggle for dominance with a treat. It's a good way to get bit and I don't mean puppy nipping either...Someone warned me about that...but those puppies had been listening so well...They've since returned to their gentle selves. Probably the long walk . . .

It's safe to write about puppies. They can't read so they won't mind!

more from YCIW

I want to offer you some more quotes from Young Children In Worship because I really appreciate the insights and whether or not we actually use the program, some of these insights are valuable in their own right.

A brief synopsis of the things I found most interesting: The begining is a combination of how and why. The rest of the book includes a wealth of specific stories enacted by a leader with wooden figures or felt and laminated characters with actions, materials, and patterns. The time is set up very much like a traditional Order of Worship. All is quiet, slow, low key. The use of repetition and ritual will appeal to some but not to others. But they've found that many many children (even those who you wouldn't expect) really respond to this kind of quiet and order. I also expect it's especially good preparation for liturgical (high church) worship and just directing a child's attention to God at a time when they are still so easily awe-struck. After the Word is presented (as story) the leader may ask "I wonder" questions. The children gather their materials and go to their own space (a towel or rug) and respond creatively or through play. The leader and greeter don't interfere or interrupt unless a child asks. They save their work in a folder - a spiritual journal. They also share a feast at the time in the order of their young worship when adults would take communion. They receive an individual whispered blessing when they leave.

There's also a second book with more stories from scripture.

Quotes:
"...listening to God's word is not enough; the word of God invites response." p. 20

Children can learn simple benedictions and portions of scripture (p 21):
"The Lord be with you..."
"and also with you."
or
"Christ has risen...
"He has risen indeed."

p. 24 "In educational settings the Bible is primarily used as a means of instruction...In effect God is talked about...In worship, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is made known to us in the hearing of the Word. God is experienced and known as we enter into the story."

The chapter on story telling and the Biblical narrative is especially interesting to me, perhaps because I write but maybe because often a person's silence says more to me than their words. "Biblical stories tell only the actions and description essential to the story. The omission of definitions and unnecesary detail provides silences, time and space through which the listener experiences the mystery, awe, and wonder so characteristic of sacred story. . ." (p. 25) "...silence serves another function, it gives space for the Holy Spirit to act in the imagination. .." (p. 29)

Pages 26-27 talk about children experiencing the story kinesthetically. I've read other places and it's probably obvious that children learn through their senses (touch being one) and many many children process life through imaginary play. You'll see them take what they've seen on TV or in a story...why not God's stories?

Another element I found enticing is "I wonder" questions which get you pondering the passage.

When you have a quiet moment, take a passage of scripture, a story, a parable read it out loud to yourself and ask "I wonder. . ."

I've ordered JOINING CHILDREN ON THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: Nurturing a Life of Faith by Catherine Stonehouse - my next reading assignment. Someone recommended it to me ( and one reader wrote a glowing review on Amazon. We'll see...) I'm also entering into dialogue with some other Covenant Children's Ministry leaders with lots of questions, of course!

Underlying assumptions

Have you ever made a decision and jumped in, only to beat yourself up wondering where your brain was when you made that decision? That happened to the Israelites and maybe it happened to Peter in the court yard and yet God was with them. I have to say as someone excited about possibilities, and as someone who doesn't like to make mistakes, this is scary ground.

I'm feeling compelled to back track because sometimes you start new things without really examining your underlying assumptions, here are some beckoning questions...

What is worship? What is worship to you personally?

Is it thanking Him, praising Him, adoring Him, telling Him He's the greatest?

Is it coming quietly into the awe - filled presence of a just merciful God in all His beauty?

Is there a coming in and out of the presence of God? Alone? In community?

Is acknowledging our roots an important act of worship?

Are listening and responding to the Word important elements of worship? Is the Word more than our liturgy?

Is worship all about God? Is it about loving Him with all our heart and mind and soul and strength during the worship service once a week? Is it worshipping Him 24-7? Are we walking out the door with Him? Working with Him, learning with Him, relating to others with Him...are these acts of worship? Is it possible to dwell in the presence of God? Is God just always there? If God is always there why is Sunday worship important?

Is worship about us? Do we reap a benefit when we worship? Is this a time to encounter God and come away somehow changed, a better ambassador or better able to cope or seeing something we needed to see that we didn't see before? Does God do this every time we worship Him?

If worship is all about God, what pleases Him? Loud joyful music? Quiet music? Hand clapping, rhythm, instruments, dance? Music that expresses who He is? Music that expresses where we're at? Exhorting one another? Singing the Word? Singing hymns? Singing spontaneous spiritual songs? Bringing our children? Worshipping alone? All of these? Are there times and places for each of these things to happen...

Do I have a scriptural foundation for the way I think about worship? How I practice worship? People have very different ideas about worship.
...we need to look at families worshipping together, Sunday school, contemporary cultural expressions of Kids' Ministry this way...Scripture says...

Scripture says . . . is the rock-solid ground, the safe place, the only place to be when you're scared, or you're not sure, or you're breaking new ground ... If you're a thinking person you can go back and say I'm doing this because...If you're a feeling person you can say I can follow my gut because I look in scripture and see Jesus doing it, I see the Father caring about this.

I'm not saying that you need scripture to justify every detail of your life...but when you're building something for someone else and God's name is attached to it, you want a foundation that won't start to crumble when you start adding weight...

and I'm not talking about pulling out random verses or using scripture to defend what you want to do but rather prayerfully searching the scriptures, letting God's words lead you, guide you, shape you, mold you, change you so that what you're building won't blow away in a storm.

But what if people with these different ideas can turn to the scriptures and justify ideas that seem to contradict each other? Some options: You can say "Well, both these different statements are true. How do we do both?" or "Both of these are true. Which of these do we need to focus on?" or "If both of these are true, perhaps we just have to agree to disagree because we're both convinced that these are mutually exclusive." But maybe they're not! Or maybe it's right and good that you give yourselves to different things as unto the Lord because God is so big and He wants to accomplish both...

Scripture doesn't always tell us how to implement a Biblical model today, so we prayerfully engage a community of God-given creative minds and question askers and with a certain amount of prayerful fear and trepidation, hoping someday to hear God say, "Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your master..." we jump in.

Do we have underlying assumptions about family? community? kids in general? We need to look carefully and keep talking and keep listening to each other...

Tests

Creation declares the glory of God, the Law is a teacher, the Holy Spirit teaches, parents are teachers, some teachers aren't fathers, some teachers are fathers ...

Teaching and testing would be a whole separate discussion. Sometimes I think about instruction and I think about testing. I think, the only tests we have to worry about are when God calls us to account. Someday our children will have to give account... Frankly, I don't know what's on the test...I'm guessing it's not true/false, multiple choice. It's probably not even an essay test. I'm guessing it's portfolio, written narrative, demonstration... I'm guessing He tests us as we go, up until the final. It'd be nice to think that sometimes he allows a retest... but I've gotten side-tracked...

Answering a Question/Comment

I've reposted the Artisan Philosophy instead of just including it in the larger picture because it's important. The rest - just possible"how"s. There are a lot of different ways to implement this. And the how may change over time. The "how" is what this is mostly about. The "how" is what we're trying to figure out.

I've been thinking about Deb's question/comment. Whether parents sit together in service with their kids, sit in the foyer together, switch off in the foyer, switch off in the sanctuary, switch off with other parents is probably less important than children being with one of their parents most Sundays, parents having some time to worship together, and that parents go home with enabling tools.

Maybe we need to reexamine what worship is, too.

We'll also need to consider parents who have more than two kids (more than 2 ages)... Right now, no one has more than two. I missed that one!

Artisan Philosophy Regarding Children

Artisan philosophy regarding Children (pastors):

At Artisan Church we recognize the tremendous value of families learning and growing together. As such, we are endeavoring to create a worship space that welcomes and encourages the spiritual health and growth of individuals as well as entire family groups. We recognize that some of the means to accomplish this value are different than those who are familiar with Children’s Ministries and very counter-cultural to much of what we see in society today.

We realize that much of society encourages the use of childcare in order to provide appropriate, age-specific play and instruction for children while allowing the adult to focus his and/or her attentions completely on the task at hand (work, shopping, worship, etc.). While this may be a societal norm, we believe another solution is more Biblical and healthier for the child, the adult(s), and the church body.

Healthier Children

Children need the contact of their parents or guardians for emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Amidst daycare, school, extracurricular activities, and hobbies we believe the worship gathering should stand as a place to unify a family in a society that favors fracturing it. Unfortunately many of the models of children’s ministry in North American Evangelicalism do just that. From Infant Care all the way up through High School Youth Ministry, children are separated from adults and the adult worship gathering. We have lost sight of the biblical instruction to train up our children, passing on our faith to the third and fourth generations.

Healthier Adults

Unfortunately, Christianity today has turned overwhelmingly inward focused. The myth is that in order for a person to grow spiritually one must always do so on an individual basis. This also often results in a “me” centered approach to worship (e.g. I only worship with hymn/rock/praise/ organ music, I didn’t get much out of worship today, etc.).

We recognize that a parent/guardian watching a one year old, for example, will not be able to focus 100% of his or her attention on the worship or message. However, we also recognize the incredible blessing of a parent/guardian and child(ren) learning and growing as a family. Keeping the family together will naturally allow conversation about what was spoken, sung, or enacted during a Sunday worship time to flow into the remainder of the week and life. Children that have always observed their parents praying, singing, and learning will be more likely to desire to do the same as they mature.

Healthier Church

The trend in modern evangelicalism is for churches to have to reinvent themselves every twenty years or so. We believe this is because the current children and youth ministry model separates children from the adult worship. As children grow into adults, especially during the formative teen years, our youth begin to identify and come to embrace their place of worship and ministry which, unfortunately, is something completely different from the adult worship. The result is a generation of youth that leave the youth program after High School and enter a worship space and style they have never known. This also creates a void in the adult worship where subsequent generations have not been involved in the gradual maturation and shaping of the church. Instead of change occurring in smaller increments that speak to and reach the younger generations, huge leaps of style and method are now necessary (e.g. the “Traditional” vs. “Contemporary” worship controversy).

Allowing our children to influence the shape and style of our worship gatherings encourages a sense of place and ownership. Theoretically it will avoid the problem of a church worship style losing touch with the world it finds itself in.

Simple

I feel compelled to say that all of this looks long and complicated but it's actually just an attempt to paint enough detail so that we're all seeing the same thing when we look at the picture. Most people paint pictures of things that already exist. Not true here!

I think the reality is the simpler, the better for everyone. Use what you can use. Throw away what you can't use. When I sent the email about awe* it's just an idea. Use it or don't use it at your own discretion. It's as simple as "Did you see that?" and a moment of awe-filled silence together.

*if you didn't get the email here it is:

Watch, listen, respond to your child’s awe-filled moments with awe. Include them in yours. You really don’t have to explain everything or anything ‘til they ask a question. When they do, answer it of course but consider answering it in it’s simplist form. If they ask another question, answer that one. Parents can get tired of teaching and kids can get tired of always listening to long explanations. On the other hand, a simple approach may keep them hungry enough to keep coming back.

mh

Concerns

One of the things that may be a concern is that if your kids are a handful. If the focus is on parents keeping kids with them you may feel self-conscious.

To be honest, at Artisan you'll hear adults tell you that they're ADD or ADHD (and some who won't tell you but they are smile) ...so they'll probably ooze sympathy not judgement! You'll also see that these adults are not running around and out of control.

You have pastors who are working really hard to incorporate multi-sensory experiences as part of worship. People have the freedom to get up and walk around. There are times to sing, times to sit, times for quiet, times to listen, none of which is too long. . . (maybe the pastor's message smile but so far the older kids who have come seem to have stayed engaged). It may mean adding quiet activity ideas for active kids or ideas for the very social - challenging!

Jumping...part 3

We're leaving later today so you get this before Tues. If you made comments at the meeting that didn't make it (probably because the blog ate the last draft when the comments were running round in my head...) please comment. Please add them.

Earning privileges (Old enough/responsible enough/confession of faith)

-to get snack alone from pre-service food table in foyer and return to space
- to use the bathroom alone (with safety considerations)
-to stay in space the whole time
-to go to the big service with parents
-to sit and work at the craft table alone
-to take communion
-to be baptized

Staff etc. Write Guidelines for Guests (and Regulars)
Philosopy (pastors - done)
Parents/Children in the Foyer (mh)
Older Children in Main Gathering Space (mh)
Children taking Communion (pastors)
Baptism/Coming of Age (pastors)

Future

Anticipating older children and growing numbers

Older Children

Participation/Help in worship (before, after, food)
Participation /Help in community projects/teams/camp/etc
Participation in Prayer and Fasting with adults in in small groups
Participation in Journeys classes (what would happen if you gathered, once at least, the kids starting school, the kids starting high school and the kids starting college)
Participation/Help with Immersed events
Help before /during /after service
Sharing creativity/skills/interests/gifts

Parents
We will provide a simple copy of the scripture story to take home or use during worship
We will provide simple ideas to do with your children during worship or at home
Talk to people/build relationships with other parents
Share your frustrations and the things you're excited about
Look at the "one anothers" in the epistles. Sometimes we expect all of this to come from pastors instead of much of it to come from one another
Titus 2:2-4

Ideas (If someone wants to be responsible)

An e-news like a circular letter where you add your joys/comments/found resources/etc

(on-line or hard copy) bulletin board for everyone in the community (including kids) to share prayers and answers (thank you/please/remember) board.

(on-line or hard copy) bulletin board for everyone in the community (including kids) to share "My Favorites" (toys, books, resources, tapes, music, restaurants & places)

(on-line or hard copy) Random Refrigerator Door Bulletin Board for photos (or combine these last two as a Refrigerator Door bullitan board) Bulletin Board (spelling: bullet + tin . . . I still forget... makes you wonder where the word came from.)

That's it folks! We can use this blog to debrief Sundays, too if you like. (But I don't know how to do pictures...) Please tell us what you think went well and what didn't... A regular Sunday debrief would be really helpful to everyone! We'll watch, wait and worship and see if God will put flesh on this because right now what you see is just a virtual skeleton.

I can also put together more ideas for Sundays (ideas you can pick and chose from every Sunday (ie Margie needs to communicate with people and make sure that the magazines in the main gathering have beautiful images in them to cut out if the pastors are talking about awe and beauty ... but maybe Sponge Bob really is awe-inspiring and beautiful (smile) )

The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine on you today and tomorrow... I have a couple of resources to tell you about (one I need to buy and read first :-) ) More interesting insights from Young Children in Worship, too.

Jumping into the Unknown with an Ancient map pt 2

[Or maybe we're following an ancient map into the future?]

Part 2

Advantages

- P/G/can attend every worship service
- (hopefully) Moms will be able to participate in worship
-kids are close to mom (p/g) in worship (worship = a positive experience)
- opportunity for parents to model & teach worship
- children are immersed in a community worship environment
- requires fewer staff/volunteers/planning
-children can see/hear but not distract
-special worship space with freedom to be little
-children with snacks from home and toys from home may stay healthier?
-kids are close to parents participating in worship
-perhaps less threatening space for some adults
-easy to grow as attendance grows
-for moms who want to meet new people they're already in the foyer
-reminder of child-like faith, simple straightforwardness, curiosity, wonder
-as people mingle, less segregation
-reminder to all of us that we're children

Disadvantages


-not instructional/age appropriate for children
-the hope is to equip parents to share with/instruct their children

-having to recreate the space every Sunday
-those who help will get to know each other better

-moms/p/g getting frustrated or burned out
-talk to someone
-people looking out for each other
-taking turns taking communion or going in for part of the service

-moms/p/g feeling like they can't worship
-talk to someone

-moms/p/g feeling segregated or on display
-some people who aren't parents will also gravitate to that space and be worshipping with you
-if anyone's judging you they shouldn't be!
-praying for one another is good

-temptation to socialize
-socialize before service, after, during the meal, during the week
-minister to one another

-can we accommodate visiting extended family in the space
-you have the option to start in the large gathering and move to the foyer

- what if we outgrow the space
-we could change buildings
-we could use all the rooms like this if everyone's worshipping (an interesting thought!) with a couple of core people in each room...

-can we accommodate single parents or parents participating in service
-if we are a community looking out for each other, yes

-what about visitors who expect childcare
-they may chose to walk with us or not

-children being disruptive loud or arguing
-parent removes the child from the space and they return when the issue is resolved

Earning Priviledges and more
[saved for part 3 lest the blog eat this one too...] There were more thoughts about instruction before the blog ate the last one, examples and such. I don't know whether or not they'll come back ...

Comments?

Hi Momma,
its Christie i hacked into your blog cuz you left for the ankle biters....thats their new names, everyone must be consistent in calling them that....thats all ahve fun deleating this =P


Christie

Jumping into the Unknown with an Ancient map pt 1

We are jumping into the unknown but with an ancient map - the scriptures and what we believe to be Biblical models. It is the Living Word and His Spirit that will ultimately keep steering and adjusting us, hold us steady, keep us on course, and give us confidence when we want to give up. All of our young pastors have young children or children close that they care about. They have assured us that they will not contine on this course if they don't believe that this approach will enable their children to draw near to God, encounter Christ, and walk with Him, help grow healthy families, and contribute to a healthy community.

[a simple cut and paste was more challenging than I anticipated. If the format gets screwed up I apologize now.]

Current Plan for Kids at Artisan
August 2005

3rd Revision including Pastors' philosophy, comments from Mike (worship leader), parents' & Rogers' initial reactions, (it's all mixed in...)

Pastors' philosophy:

"At Artisan Church we recognize the tremendous value of families learning and growing together. So, we are endeavoring to create a worship space that welcomes and encourages the spiritual health and growth of individuals as well as entire family groups. We recognize that some of the means to accomplish this value are different than those of many familiar with Children's Ministries and very counter-cultural to much of what we see in society today.

We realize that much of society encourages the use of childcare in order to provide appropriate, age-specific play and instruction for chldren while allowing the adult to focus his/her attentions completely on the task at hand (work, shopping, worship, etc.) While this may be a societal norm, we believe another solution is more Biblical and healthier for the child, the adult(s), and the church body.
Healthier Children

Children need the contact of their parents or guardians for emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Amidst daycare, school, extracurricular activities, and hobbies we believe the worship gathering should stand as a place to unify a family in a society that favors fracturing it. Unfortunately many of the models of children's ministry in North American Evangelicalism do just that. From Infant Care all the way up through High School Youth Ministry, children are separated from adults and the adult worship gathering. We have lost sight of the biblical instruction to train up our children, passing on our faith to the third and fourth generations.

Healthier Adults

Unfortunately, Christianity today has turned overwhelmingly inward focused. The myth is that in order for a person to grow spiritually one must always do so on an individual basis (this also often results in a "me" centered approach to worship (e.g. I only worship with hymn/rock/praise/organ music, I didn't get much out of worship today, etc.) "

We recognize that a parent/guardian watching a one year old, for example, will not be able to focus 100% of his or her attention on the worship or message (God knows that, too mh) However, we also recognize the incredible blessing of a parent/guardian/child(ren) learning and growing as a family. Keeping the family together will naturally allow conversation about what was spoken, sung, or enacted during a Sunday worship time to flow into the remainder of the week and life. Children that have always observed their parents praying, singing, and learning will be more likely to desire to do the same as they mature. "

Healthier Church

The trend in modern evangelicalism is for churches to have to reinvent themselves every twenty years or so. We believe this is because the current chldren and youth ministry model separates children from the adult worship. As children grow into adults, especially during the formative teen years, our youth begin to identify and come to embrace their place of worship and ministry which, unfortunately, is something completely different from the adult worship. The result is a generation of youth that leave the youth program after High School and enter a worship space and style they have never known. This also creates a void in the adult worship where subsequennt generations have not been involved in the gradual maturation and shaping of the church. Instead of change occurring in smaller increments that speak to and reach the younger generations, huge leaps of style and method are now necessary (e.g. the "Traditional" vs. "Contemporary" worship controversy)"

Allowing our children to influence the shape and style of our worship gatherings encourages a sense of place and ownership. Theoretically it will avoid the problem of a church worship style losing touch with the world it finds intself in."

[My understanding is that if you'd like the scriptures you can ask Brian.]

A random but I think appropriate scripture as most of our children are 0-8.

Isaiah 40:10-12 (NIV)

"See, the sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young."

The first time I really noticed this, when my kids were little. The better part of every two years I had a nursing baby for about 9 years and the translation I happened to read: "nursing ewes". The picture of Jesus for me at the time was profound (for lack of a better word).

The Plan

This isn't a set of rules. It isn't a how to. It's a rough draft of a moving picture that's still in progress.

Goals:
To include children as important members of the Artisan Community
To equip/enable/encourage/support parents

Current Community Activities
Sunday Worship
Sunday Night Meal
House Blend
Prayer/Fasting
Immersed Events
Service Sunday gathering/meal
Service (outside projects)
Opportunities for Artisan folks to initiate activities for kids/families (with background check)

Scriptures: Deut 31: 11-13, Ezra 10, Joel 2: 15:17, Neh 12:42-44, Matt 14:20-21, Matt 21: 15-17, Matt 19:13-15

Sunday Worship

Assuming parents/guardians/parent designees (as in designated) will be responsible for thier own children during worship but the worship space will not exclude others

We may have designated adults (with background check and ID photo on lanyard) who are watching and available to answer questions or help.

Babes in arms

-remain with p/g/pd (parents/guardian/parent designee)
-clearly mark rooms for nursing moms (signs)
-"Do not disturb" signs for room(s)

Crawlers/Toddlers/Preschool
-P/G/PD and young children enjoy a worship space (not a nursery) in the foyer
-P/g/pd bring their own soft/quiet toys/snacks/drinks
-Adults are encouraged to worship. Children have the option to observe quietly, worship, play with respect for the space and for others
-P/g/pd encourage singing, dance, rhythm instruments as appropriate in service (loud, soft, fast, slow, stop)
-Notice images on video screen
-Worship table?
Bible
church seasonal colored cloth
lamp or candle
offering basket (coins or other child chosen offerings)
CM staff
-set up TV/audio monitor of service
-turn furniture
-add sanctuary chairs by windows
-hang posters (stained glass/creation/people/Israel travel pictures)
-quiet toys from nursery
-message toys
-child table/chairs
-puzzles/caryons/paper/playdough
-dress up cloths ?

Children 6-12
-Make worship more kid-friendly
-Include biblical story and "I wonder" question(s)
-Create art/craft tables in the back of the room
Table #1 children 4-10 work with p/g/pd/CM worker
Table #2 children who can work quietly and independently have the option of working alone or with a CM worker
The table is a place where a child can ask questions/respond to message/or Biblical story creatively
-If a child is disruptive parent removes them from sanctuary. When issue is resolves, they return

Children Middle School/High School
Sit with parent or participate in service

Important
-All of these spaces are designated as worship spaces. P/g/pd must understand that these are not nurseries or sunday school areas but worship areas - a place to ponder the Living God. -Come to draw near to God.
-Come expecting God to meet you.
-God has promised that if we draw near to Him, He'll draw near to us.
-Wherever two or more are gathered in His name there He is in your midst
-Let the little children come to Him. Parents brought their children to Jesus and Jesus welcomed them. The disciples tried to keep them away.
-Think simple: encourage your child to be still, to pray, to dance, clap hands, to sing, to use a rhythm instrument, to listen to the pastor's stories.
-Encourage them to play, act out the story, to use puzzles or art/craft materials to respond to what they hear. (Caleb heard his Dad tell the story of the worm he found in the garden. Dad was talking about Awe. Caleb was in awe. Caleb heard his dad telling the story on the TV monitor and he commented to his friend. A possible invitation to Caleb and his friend: Would you like to draw a worm? It will help you remember the story or they might be perfectly content building the lego train.)
-Romans 12:1-2 we worship the Lord in whatever we do

...

There was a whole lot more here until I pushed the "save draft" - 2 hours of work "Poof!"... I'm away Fri/Sat and have to frantically get someone to work, go to a meeting, call the vet and hope I don't have to go back to the vet (we were there yesterday) get kids to the store, off to camp, off to college 1 hr, off to college 6 hr, if you don't see me Sunday...oh and there's Monday night... I'll try to get the rest up Tuesday if not before...maybe it was too long...maybe it was the hacker...I didn't plan well this month...

You can add comments anytime from this point on!

Thoughts on Young Children in Worship pp 1-30

My Young Children in Worship book arrived yesterday (Authors Sonja M. Stewart & Jerome W. Berryman pub. 1989 Westminister John Knox Press). I wanted to share some quotes that I'm excited about. I don't mean to take them out of context but I think they stand on their own.

I don't know how I feel about the program yet but (30 pages in) I like these particular quotes. I like the idea of creating opportunities for children to interact with the Word and letting God's Word speak for itself as opposed to telling someone what it's supposed to say and interpreting it for them. I like the idea of talking about it, wondering about it, responding in personal ways. I see benefit to children learning to interact with God: sing to Him, talk to Him, thank Him, dance for Him. I also see benefit to children being with parents and a community of worshippers and experiencing worship in that way.

The quotes:

". . .worship transforms ordinary time and space into sacred time and space. The experience of God is one of mystery, awe, and wonder. Where education attempts to explain and interpret mystery, worship allows us to experience and dwell in the presence of God as a way of knowing." (p. 13) (my favorite thus far!)

"In worship God is central. We find meaning and order in relation to God." (p. 14)

"[Children] need to know how to find the quiet place within, which enables them to get ready to worship. . ." (p. 14)

"...corporate worship is structured and full of words and symbols based on stories and memories children do not yet have. For children to participate meaningfully in corporate worship, they must first experience the essential parts and stories of worship through sensorimotor means." (p. 15) "the essential parts and stories of worship" meaning the elements consistantly present in a traditional worship service but that probably applies to all of scripture as appropriate.

[4- part order of worship] ". . .gathering, listening [to the Word], thanking, going. . ." (p. 17)

Alot of interesting stuff . . . I'm 31 pages in and these are some ideas I'm pondering, not program but ideas.

puppies, puppies, and the work at hand

8/13 Sat pm:

Two out of 5 of our in-and-out-of-the-nest children* go off to school between now and next Monday... Though they'll miss puppy boot camp, one will be happy that I can't shrink her brand new clothes when she's six hours away... (It's been one of those days...) I may start a puppy diaries blogspot just for them so they don't miss anything... in my spare time. Hah!

Earlier today, I called my 13-years-younger-brother in TX to tell them about the puppies. He said, if we're going to obedience classes (which we are, over and over and over...) we'll be glad we did this two years from now.

After I spent the better part of the day taking puppies out to pee (which they did) and spent the other part of the day cleaning up after puppies peeing (which they also did) I called him and his wife again ( a veteran Schnauzer lady) whining "Please, please! Say it again! Tell me I'll be glad we did this two years from now..." which they did. If Tyler was around we could commiserate . . . (http://poeticsubversion2.blogspot.com/)

Tell me tomorrow that this is somehow relevant to my one track blog. Or maybe it's a neccessary distraction...? The puppy sheets call it "aversion". Never mind. A one track blog doesn't count as bad behaviour . . .Nyah and Ellie are actually very very good puppies . . .

We're supposed to have a "children's ministry" in...how many weeks? Children we have. . . emerging church ministry we have... AND I've gotten two email leads (people to take some questions to) Things are looking up!

8/14 Sun

No puppy accidents from 6:30 am- 12pm . Kids up. Excitement accidents, walks, crate...Church...Home... "Mom, while you were gone the puppies beat up on each other the whole time... They were supposed to eat at 4? I figured that out and fed them about 6:30..." We came home they were in the crate. They came out, obliged me out doors, played a while and went to bed early like we did... That's the distraction...

Back to one of many works at hand. We're trying a new approach with kids at church. The good news is that, talking to the pastors, it looks like a plan. The bad news is that I didn't fill moms in on what we were doing before we tried it on Sunday. The good news is that after service Sun. I had at least three people say, "Gee, I think it's gonna work!!"

Everything that went well, went really well! Everything that didn't go well needed to go wrong because they're important bugs that we need to work out.


8/15 Mon am
Today, tomorrow, and Wed I write, work out more bugs and get some serious work done ... and of course, the puppies...

If you're at Artisan, you'll hear the plan. If not, I'll copy you in ...

*(In-and-out-of-the-nest-kids! Fun expression - from the Institute of Children's Literature e-news)

Puppies

If you don't hear from me often, it's because I'm a puppy mom in training and and this is the 1st time I looked at my computer since yesterday at noon. :-) Rot/Shepherd 's c. 4 months old...no 2 1/2 mo...I'm exhausted... :-)

?Materials & Approaches

Has anyone used Young Children in Worship or a Godly Play approach for 5+ years? Comments?

That list . . .

Understand that I'm partial to children's books and yes, I'm partial to quilting but here is a book that captures something of the multi-faceted "BEAUTY!"! I recently came across THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken publ by Pfeifer-Hamilton Inc. Duluth MN 2000. A fun read! Just in case you all rush the library. . . this one's at Brighton but I haven't returned it yet :-)

Children and Weddings

We went to a friends' wedding the other day and someone said something like, they didn't really understand why people would bring their kids to a wedding.

When we were growing up, EVERYONE went to a wedding - young, old, friends, family. Today there's a budget issue and the first bodies that are struck off the list? Children.

We've always been of the opinion that of all the events that communities of people celebrate, a wedding celebration is a place where children really belong.

But that's just my opinion.

A Minute Here, A Minute There

The other day I was thinking that if you read one short Bible story every night before bed (or a couple verses from Psalms or Proverbs if it's late) you've openned the scriptures with your child 352 times in one year. If you pray a "Thank you, Lord" each time you share a meal or snack (take 6 x 352 per year) . . . If you pray a short prayer for healing or blessing every time a child gets hurt or pray about a worry or a concern ... If you take a moment to thank the Lord for special things or for safety when someone almost got hurt ... If you take an awe-filled moment to notice something beautiful or amazing that God did...

Each of those moments is a building block in a child's life. Not complicated. You don't need any special resources or materials. The layers of understanding grow as a child grows but you're laying foundations and every year you keep building and growing...It's time with you (someone they love) You're teaching/training them to interact with Someone you love and who loves you and who loves them. You're growing habits.

I'm not sure that a weekly program works like that.

(c) 2005 Margie Hillenbrand

Senses

A few weeks ago, one of the workshop leaders at the Highlights Chautauqua Conference, Kim Griswell, made a simple comment that I wanted to share here. (I don't know that this is an exact quote but it's easier to read): "Kids start off very sensory: touching, tasting, seeing, hearing, using all the senses," she said using her hands. "And somehow as we grow it all ends up here," she continued pointing to her head.

What I heard was that children use their senses to learn about their world. Adults are more mental. We tell kids, "Don't touch that." "Take that out of your mouth..." (Granted, safety is important.)

But for everytime you say, "Don't" do you say: "Touch this. Isn't it neat? or "What does this feel like?" "Taste this!" "What do you like?" "Why don't you like that?" "Do you hear that?" "Look at this!" ... It just takes a couple of seconds here and a couple of seconds there. It's a fun way to learn, to notice, to describe, to communicate and to share life experiences.

(c) 2005 Margie Hillenbrand