Children's Moment

Rev. Josh Patty

Regional Minister & President

Is there a Children’s Moment in your worship service? How much preparation – by you or others – goes into it? How is it connected to the rest of the service?

I recently read an essay with ideas to strengthen Children’s Moments in worship, which offers excellent advice. It began with a troubling thought. Are these “the most overlooked four minutes in your worship service”? I’ll add a related question: Does the Children’s Moment seem like an afterthought?

Worshiping in our congregations, I’ve seen many Children’s Moments that show significant preparation and are connected with other themes of the day. And I’ve seen a couple that feel like add-ons. Our young people – and our young at heart people who are overhearing these moments – are too important. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach – as much through emotions of welcome and love as with words of wisdom.

Many experienced leaders will likely already recognize the article’s pieces of advice, though I admit that #3 about object lessons caught my attention. Too often an object lesson – or fun demonstration to get attention – is more of a distraction for young people than a help. They are less likely to make the connection because they are more concrete in their thinking at young ages. Telling the story directly in language and images that fit their lives is probably a better approach.

If you don’t lead Children’s Moments, I’d still invite worship leaders to glance at the suggestions. They offer some guidance for Communion and Offering Moments too. And I imagine preaching would benefit from more open questions and comfort with ambiguity (#4). The bigger point, though, is invaluable for worship leaders. No part of our worship should be an afterthought. When was the last time we did a close look at various worship components to make sure we are doing them in the best way?