The other Sunday morning, we walked into church, and I was struck with the vibrant life that I felt as we entered the lobby. There were dozens of people standing around chatting. Our children ran to their favorite people and greeted them with hugs.
There were people of all ages from various backgrounds, businessmen and women, Amish families, moms and dads, and loads of children everywhere. Nearly everyone was talking and smiling and appeared genuinely pleased to be at church.
We checked our children in for kid’s church and then headed into the sanctuary to get settled before worship. As we walked into church, a group of girls near our daughters’ ages ran up, and they all greeted each other with enthusiasm. We went to a bench and got things organized and settled. As I looked around the auditorium, I saw people walking in to find their seats. But they weren’t just filing in solemnly and quietly. No, there were moms and dads corraling multiple children while juggling coffee cups and diaper bags. There were people walking across the room to greet a friend before they sat down. There were waves and greetings tossed back and forth across the room. And it felt alive!
When worship started, there was a group of kids in the back worshipping in their own way with coloring and drawing and chatting to each other. Other children went to their favorite adults to worship with them. I sat back in my seat and took a moment to realize just how absolutely blessed we are to have this church community in our lives right now.
Children are celebrated and welcomed. The children are welcome to go to kid’s church after worship or they are welcome to stay with their parents and listen to the message. If there is extended prayer or ministry time at the end of a service, parents are encouraged to bring their children up from kid’s church so they can be part of it. When the children are dismissed to go to kid’s church, the rest of the church speaks a blessing over them that declares that the children are “safe, wanted, and loved.”
At the weekly prayer and worship night, you are likely to find children either participating by waving ribbons around, coloring in their color books, or playing with their friends in the family room.
I’ve been in churches where children were expected to not be seen or heard. It was almost as if they didn’t actually exist in the church. I’ve also been in churches where children were expected to be completely silent and still, no exceptions. I wonder how those churches survive.
I’ve heard a saying, “If a church isn’t crying, it’s dying.” Our church is rarely silent on Sunday mornings, and I can’t help but think that’s how it should be. We are blessed to find ourselves in a church where children are so welcomed. To have unmarried men and women so selflessly pour their time and energy into our children’s lives. To have other children who will be our children’s friends.
Our church has grown significantly since we started attending in the fall of 2020, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s partially due to the way they view children. 🤔
Anyways, all that to say, I love the church we find ourselves at right now, and I will continue to enjoy it for however long God allows us. And if anyone finds themselves in need of a church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, feel free to check out Branch Community in Gordonville.
Adventurer with God 