Children in church

At a meeting the other day, the issue of children (or lack of) in church was brought up. Comments made were along the lines of such-and such a church has their Sunday School as a Wednesday after-school club. (Yes, I too thought that sounded wrong. Sunday School - every Wednesday at 4pm!). Apparently it suits the children and parents better than the more traditional time of during the Sunday service at 11am.

At the end of the meeting, I was discussing this matter with a couple of people I was sitting with. I brought up my concerns about the children being separated from the adults to this extent. I wondered how the children would be brought into the church family - like any family it needs a wide range of ages and experiences. I was told the problem with churches is members expect children to sit and be quiet. I think I can see their problem.

Now, don't get me wrong, having after-school clubs to lead children into a relationship with God is a good thing. I am not knocking that for a second. But, where it's happening because churches rigidly stick to service at 11am on Sunday mornings, where earlier may be better for all or, worse, members of congregations only like having children in church if they sit there and be quiet, then we have a problem.

From my own (admittedly limited) experience, churches where children are made welcome and are regarded as much part of the current church as the 97 year old (usually by the 97 year old), the children want to be there. They bring their friends. Children who want to find out about God bring their parents and their parents become members and the church grows.

I don't know what those type of churches do right. They don't know themselves. I think it's welcoming all - young and old. Showing God's love in action. Teaching about God's love and grace.

The churches I know of for which lack of children and young people is an issue and regarded as an issue talk about children being their future. I know, in my younger days that annoyed me. My own home church didn't have that attitude, but I heard it time and time again. Nothing has changed. It puts enormous pressure on children and they have enough as it is. Besides, they are NOT the churches future. They are the churches present. They may become the church in the future. Who knows? Only God. It's his church and he wants a church family where all are welcome and loved to share community, fellowship and worship together. Old and young. Rich and poor. That's the model we should be striving for.

I know there are no easy solutions. There never has been and never will be. I do firmly believe people begin attend a church which they see as being for them. If it excludes children to a Wednesday afternoon, they won't get young families attending Sunday worship. If it only likes children who sit very quiet and don't make a noise (do any children do that - I mean really), they will not get young families.

This is where leadership comes in. Yes, the minister (oh, I'm putting myself under pressure here!). In any organisation, the dynamic can change with a change of leadership and the feel of an organisation comes from the leadership. And so it is with the church. Does the minister expect children to be like mice? Does the minister engage with the children and their parents? Does the minister preach and lead worship to show how important making a church family is to God? I suspect when they do, children will come. Their parents will feel comfortable going. When the children become teenagers, with all the pressure they are under, they will not drift away.

I pray I can be this type of minister. Guided by the holy spirit to create a church family which reflects all in the parish I eventually serve. Oh, I do like to set myself challenges. Or, should I say God does?

Dogs

I decided, as it was looking to be a pleasant day today to head off for a walk. On the way, I'd do a bit of geocaching too. A great thing Spot and I have found with geocaching is it will take you places you may not have thought of going for a walk, but which turn out very pleasant anyway.

About an hour into the walk (with one cache already picked up), I notice a car swerving for something at the side of the road. From the distance, I couldn't really make out what it was, but I suspected it was a dog. As I drew closer, it was a gorgeous, scared lurcher. As I approached, I saw she was terrified and was lame on one leg. Initially, she moved off as I approached, but I just let her calm down and settle.

In the meantime, I called the local dog warden to report her. As I was walking and she was lame, I couldn't bring her home. I couldn't speak to the warden direct at the time, but gave a 6-figure grid reference for my location. Well, that's where my trouble started. Shortly after that phone call, a warden called me back. "Err, where are you? We didn't use grid references, just our sat-navs which need postcodes" [At this point, I am on a rural road which, funnily enough does not have a postcode. Grrr]. I explained where I was and that I was happy to wait with the dog.

As I waited, the dog calmed down and I managed to clap her. I just don't understand why someone would have abandoned her. Okay, she was injured, but taking her to the vet is part of the responsibility of pet ownership. She was such a good natured wee dog. Even when terrified out of her wits, she never once showed the slightest bit of aggression towards me (or the warden for that matter).

I didn't have to wait too long. The warden explained that, unfortunately, lurchers are often abandoned. He was taking her to the vets for treatment of her lameness. Fingers crossed she makes a full recovery and, if not calmed by her owners, finds a good home.

All things bright and beautiful

I have just finished reading the James Herriot series. Spot got these as a Christmas present and I was desperate for him to finish so I could begin!

I recall reading one of the first ones years ago; probably when the BBC TV series was at its most popular. But I've never read them all.

It's no wonder these books were adapted into the TV series. The way Herriot describes the people and places almost makes you want to head back in time and space to where and when these books were set. Maybe Tristan Farnon would manage it?!

Reading the books, I laughed and cried. I recalled how beautiful the Dales are and Herriot does do them justice, which is no mean feat. Mainly, reading them took me to a past era. One where horses were (pardon the pun) the work horses of farms, among many other occupations. An era where small farmers struggled to make a living in harsh conditions. An era where we were, perhaps, more in tune with the natural world, but written when that knowledge and in-touch-ness was on the wain.

Is it an era I'd like to go back to? No. Not really. Things may have been simpler, but I couldn't do this. And I'd be a housewife all the time. Thanks, but no thanks.

The main thing on reading these books which struck home to me is our connectedness to animals. As pets, as beasts of burden (once here and still in much of the world), as part of nature to wonder and awe at. I hope I never loose that sense of wonder at the world and I can show it to future generations. Because "The Lord God Made them All".

I've done it again!

Back in March, I got my results for my first semester  first courses. To my surprise, they were straight As. As it's just over a month since my Greek exam, I contacted Aberdeen to see when the results would become available. I liked the reply. Not only were they just out this morning, yet again I have obtained straight As!

So, Edinburgh, here I come!!!

A stand-up show

I've always known I am quite content in my own company. Even as a small child I was happy writing, reading or building things from lego. I didn't (and still don't) really need people around me to interact with. It's not I dislike people, I just find I don't crave company as some people do.

I suppose, given the vocation I will be entering, this attitude is handy. Lets face it, ministry is a lonely job. Yes, it is (or should be, am I being naive?) to do with people. There's the ill and bereaved to see, the schools to visit, the congregation to lead (and the meetings and preparation). But it's still a one-(wo)man show. Pity, maybe shared ministry would be beneficial for all concerned, just a thought.

My, general, contentment being in my own company has been reinforced these last 4 months (4 months already...argh, where has the time gone???!!!). Most of the week, I'm a norm. I've been catching up with house and garden maintenance, going for long walks, geocaching, birdwatching and generally pleasing myself.

I suppose I am quite an introvert, yet there are many who wouldn't realise that. I know from leading worship at my home church there are members who think I look really comfortable at the front. "As if you were born to it, Mrs G" I was told. What they don't know is underneath I am wetting myself. Does this make sense? Is it the right message? Will I get through this without something going horribly wrong? One of the last times I lead worship, the radio mic was majorly playing up, to the point it had to be swapped. I gave off the vibes of confidence, but underneath I was sweating. Afterwards, several people commented on how well I'd handled it and thought I looked like and old hand.

The danger here is when I do err, will there be an understanding response? I'm sure there will be, but a little bit of me wonders if there may be surprise as I don't seem to be nervous, quite the opposite in fact. That's where placements will help. They are getting me as a "blank canvas", with (hopefully) no pre-conceived idea of who I am or what I am like. I know I will be nervous to begin with. I hope I never loose it. To loose it, I feel, would be when I would become complacent. That is a dangerous place in any job, let alone ministry.

So, how do people think I am confident? Maybe I am a better actor than I think I am. Like a swan, I am calm on the outside and paddling like crazy underneath. Spot has pointed out in the past I can be a bit like a stand-up comedian and I have heard may of them are quiet introverts.

No, the confidence isn't an act, it is from knowing Jesus walks beside me when I am doing his work. When I am following him and (I pray) leading others in their journey with him. Without his guidance all I do, say, am, in church and everywhere else would be meaningless. With his, everything is possible, even the shy introvert leading worship and being seen be others as having the potential to be a good leader and enabler.