|
For Parents (and Grandparents) of Young Children |
|
|
Author Robbie Castleman defines worship as "the exercise of our souls in blessing God." When your elementary and pre-school children (or grandchildren) attend worship with you, "Bless my soul, O Lord!" may be your chief concern. The Children's Ministry Team at Covenant has been discussing ways we might help our children enter more fully into the worship experience. One result of those discussions has been the creation of "Kids Worship".
While programs can help children begin to understand more about worship and why we do some of the things we do during worship, as parents and grandparents you are your child's first and most important teachers. In her book Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship, Castleman offers practical advice for this important task. She writes, "Younger worshipers especially need help in learning how to pay attention in worship." Using her own family as examples, she relates how she helped her pre-schooler as he stood on the pew beside her, "this brought him up high enough so that I could easily put my arm around him." She calls this "'affectionate control.' You are holding your child very close, but in a way that is more of a hug than a tug." She encouraged her children to follow her finger as she pointed to words being read or sung and to say the words they recognized as soon as they were able.
Castleman's advice extends beyond the worship hour. She advises our preparations begin the night before by laying out clothing, etc. She writes with honesty and clarity, admitting that some may disagree with her advice in some areas (such as her position on children taking communion). Her passion for doing and teaching the work of worship is inspiring. Worship "does not come naturally to us." She says, "It is difficult to worship on the leftover energy of a long week and a late Saturday. The Sunday-morning encounter with God is worthy of our best energy, not our least." Good advice for all of us!
Find Castleman's book on the book cart in the library. Check it out to meet this woman who reminds us that "Worship is first a blessing to God, and he values the presence and praise of children." |
