7 Reasons Why I’m Grateful for Children (and Children’s Workers) in the Church

My wife is the best children’s worker I’ve ever known. I realize I’m biased, but I’ve watched Pam give herself fully over the years to teach little ones about Jesus. If you work with children in your church, I hope this post encourages you today. Here’s why I love having children in the church – and why I’m grateful for you as you carry out your own ministry with them:

1. I’ve known children whose faith put mine to shame, and whose trust in God was unwavering. As a pastor for many years, I often had opportunity to listen to children pray, watch their eyes light up as they retold Bible stories, and hear their stories about telling their friends about Jesus—regardless of any potential fear or cost.
2. Pastoring families has been a great joy for me. In our side yard is a rose bush that a group of siblings gave us when I was their interim pastor. In my files are drawings that kids created based on my sermons. I still remember other stories, too, like baptism experiences where littles one leaped into the baptistry with abandon.
3. Preschoolers and children remind me that my academic title doesn’t matter. I carry the title, “Dr. Lawless,” but the joy of having that title pales in comparison to being “Pastor Chuck” to church families or “Uncle Chuck” to missionary kids. “Dr. Lawless” doesn’t mean nearly as much.  
4. Most believers turned to Christ during their elementary or early teen years. Studies vary in their findings, but the evidence points to the importance of proclaiming the gospel to a young generation. I want them to hear the gospel from me and see the gospel in me when Pam and I are privileged to spend time with them.
5. For some kids, the adults they see at church every Sunday are the most consistent, compassionate adults in their lives. The horrible stories of abuse in churches are nothing less than evil and tragic–and must be rooted out–but many children find believers in churches who love them, pray for them, and protect them.
6. Simply seeing kids in church is a reminder to pray for them. I suspect that many of them have no one praying regularly for them; even parents and grandparents often pray only reactively when the situation demands it. I want our church to intercede for preschoolers and children, asking God to draw them to Himself, shelter them, and use them for His glory in the years to come.
7. Children’s workers usually serve graciously and faithfully behind the scenes. They seldom worry about being in the limelight. Instead, they just want next generations to know how to follow Jesus. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, they serve. 

Thank you, children’s workers, for all you do in your church! You and I get the privilege of training the little ones.