CHILDREN

One of the “rites of summer” for Christians of all denominations is “Vacation Bible School.” This event provides one of the major evangelistic thrusts for many churches.

I’ve been busy with Bible School so I’ve not had much time for blogging. Today, I’ll get back into the routine by praising God for a wonderful week ministering to children and youth.

One verse I have reflected upon often in my ministry comes from the Lord, Himself:

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there (Matt 19:14-15).

Jesus loved children. If He were to take a staff position in a local church, I somehow think He’d be more likely to pursue Children’s Ministry, than seek the Senior Pastor position. Jesus said, “children are the very essence of the Kingdom.”

We’ve lost most or our children to other pursuits. We lost a couple of generations that are now parents who have no desire to see their children receive training in spiritual matters. The wave of gray hair continues to rise in most churches. Some churches even consider children an “inconvenience” to be scurried away to other rooms so as not to “bother” the adults as they worship Jesus. The disciples had this same mistaken notion until Jesus corrected them with verses such as that quoted above.

Almost half of the fifty kids in our VBS this year made first-time decisions to make Jesus the Boss of their life. I know I’ll get criticized for “brain-washing” or “brow-beating” these children into making decisions. That’s OK, this is a criticism I enjoy receiving.

For the most part, the younger generation is conspicuously absent from many congregations, along with their thirty-something parents. A nation cannot afford to squander such resources. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds in America. Thirteen million children go to bed hungry in America every night. Half of the children, by conservative estimates, will grow up in a home with an absentee father.

Jesus saw children as the “essence of the Kingdom.” If children were that important to Him, they should be that important to the church. Vacation Bible School reminded me once again how important children are to God – and how fun they are to be around!