Let the Little Children
by Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton on 05/04/23
I have focused a lot this past 10 months on radical hospitality - exploring how Jesus practiced it in his ministry and how we might walk in his footsteps here in this time and place. We have had many unexpected, challenging, and uplifting conversations about this - particularly about what it means to be welcoming to our LGBTQIA+ siblings. But that isn’t all! This past Sunday we had kids in the service for the children’s story and reading the second Scripture. Prior to that we had teens in my office working on their sermon for Children and Youth Sunday and our younger kids learning Gospel stories down the hall. Their voices singing “Jesus Loves Me” rang sweetly through the adult Sunday School classroom. After service our teens practiced ringing (bells) and singing with Martha. Most Sundays our service is full of kid energy as they help lead worship, join in worship, and keep us smiling. In Luke 9:46 we read a story of Jesus’ adult disciples arguing about which of them was the greatest. In showing them the higher way, Jesus invited a child into the conversation and told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” Friends, this is radical! Jesus told his disciples that if they are to welcome God they will do so by welcoming a child. And not only the Christ-child - he is talking here about a kid from the crowd, perhaps the child of an adult who had come to learn from Jesus. A child whose name wasn’t recorded. This could be any one of the Phillips children! If Jesus’ words hold true, then we too will see God by welcoming children into the very center of our communities. Not only do kids bring life and vitality, but according to Jesus, they are essential if we are to see and know God. In Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids, the authors Dr. Kara E. Powell and Dr. Chap Clark identified the following characteristics of communities that were able to disciple their kids into adult faith: Keeping the kids and youth involved in all-church worship events (including Sunday morning). Providing ways for the teens to serve the younger children. Supportive adults showing interest in teen’s lives. Supportive adults keeping in contact with young college students. Although Powell and Clark certainly write in much greater detail, much of what they identified comes down to this: children and teens need a web of supportive relationships with adults in their churches who love and know them. I heard this past Sunday that one of our young ones was singing along to the Gloria Patri while lying on their back on the pew. This story made my day! We are doing new things here by incorporating our kids and youth in the full life of the congregation. Sometimes it might be loud or require flexibility. Most often it is joyous and full of life. But in all cases, as we create the web that allows our young folks to thrive in their faith we are doing what Jesus told his disciples to do: we are offering radical hospitality to the smallest among us. As you go about your week, interacting with the young folks in your lives, remember Jesus' teaching and welcome them with love and support. Who knows how God might reveal God’s self through them! Blessings, Pastor Amy
