Lesson(s) Learned

 Recently, at our church, my husband has been leading a short children's devotional near the beginning of the church service. Every week, all of the kids in the church sit on the front steps of the stage as my husband explains to them a portion of their lesson for that week. Every week, he asks a question, the kids provide just the right concoction of cute or humorous or Sunday-school-expected answers, and the whole church is blessed as a result of it. Isn't it neat to see how the family of God is blessed when we're all together? Well, every week, I don't really have any concerns with this set-up. The kids listen well, they're polite, and they answer appropriately. Every week, I don't have any concerns about the church kids, or my kid, parading in front of the church. Except this past week.  My child (of all the children) decided to go up on stage without her shoes on. At first, I honestly didn't even notice. It could've been the vantage point from my se...

So, I grew up in church and have been a member of several since my adult years. Every church has it's own strengths, energy, weaknesses, flair, and problems. But it seems to me that no matter where I have attended church over the years (in more than one church and more than one state, mind you), children's ministry has always been "a problem." "Getting enough people to serve in the children's ministry has always been a problem." It's very true, but why? It's not because children are being children. It's because adults are being adults. As Americans, we're so addicted to our own comfort that we don't even blink an eye at it. Not true? Ok, then prove it by serving in the children's ministry this week. Change a few diapers. Wipe a few noses. Teach the kids about Jesus. and then go home and take a nap 'til Monday. And next week, do it all over again.  Children's ministry isn't something you have to feel especially called t...