Hello friends,

Someone I know was  feeling extremely frustrated at her church.  She had talked about finding ways for their young (10-15 year old) Christians to serve the church.  She was told they aren’t allowed to serve because they are not church members and they can’t be church members until they are 18.   Say what!? Yes you read that right.  Christians under 18 are not allowed to serve in her Church.   She tried stating that they SHOULD be able to serve. But it was repeated they have to be members to serve and to vote.  They can’t be members until they are 18 because they shouldn’t vote until then.  It’s “in the church constitution”. The people she talked to couldn’t seemingly differentiate serving versus voting and were  not able to acknowledge her point of view that their should be an exception for serving because they were so hung up on the voting and membership aspect.

Growing up my sister Marie and I served in so many areas of the church. Mostly it was childcare, but we were in the puppet ministry, clown ministry (I don’t think we actually did anything for this. I think it fizzled out before we had any events), my sister served in evangelism, and we helped with the nursing home ministry where we went and assisted in a church service once a month.  I can’t even imagine being told we couldn’t do that.  How do you tell a kid they can’t serve Jesus in church?  Am I over reacting? Maybe a little, but I think it is fundamentally wrong to ban children from serving until they are 18.

The Bible says in Psalm 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

In ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ Paul writes to Timothy:

“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

If we are to raise children to know the scriptures from infancy, and train a child so he will not depart from it, then why would we prevent them from doing the very thing we want for them to do?

I’m not saying that I think children should be allowed to direct traffic or watch a room full of babies without an adult, but there should be nothing wrong with them being a door greeter, assisting with toddlers, or helping pass the offering plate.  This is how we train children to serve in the church so when they are older, they will continue serve. They will find ways to serve the church that uses their gifts and talents.  To me, serving in the church is serving Jesus.

Sometimes I wish I could be blissfully unaware of church politics, at my church and others.  But alas I cannot.  Maybe that’s why this lady’s church doesn’t want children to serve.  So they can remain blissfully unaware that people complain for the silliest reasons (such as a tiny screech with the sound equipment, but that’s a post for another day).

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen