"Let the Children Come to Me..."

I LOVE this quote from Matthew Warner:

"Children are "the sound of a living, breathing, growing Church." ~ Matthew Warner

See more of his fantastic must read here. 

I know there are many denominations who have different ideas about children and worship. I can understand. I've grown up experiencing them all - since my family of origin was Catholic and Baptist.

Many churches prefer children in programs during the main worship time. Here is a post on that subject from Nathan Lawrenson (CF Husband) on his worship blog, from 2010, where I engaged him in friendly 'dialoguing disagreement',  but could appreciate his viewpoints all the same because so many share his views - and we struggle with them in my Catholic denomination. (Clarification: I am also not saying children should run wild, which can happen in cry rooms or in a sanctuary! We need to be respectful and teach our little ones to be respectful. But we should have patience for the little ones in training and their parents who are trying.) I can appreciate those ideas to a point (and I will say many churches have fantastic programs. I know because I have used them as a visitor. I think our Church could always stand to improve youth ministry and I'm grateful for apostolates and their help in that area), but I prefer how our church does the 9am Mass.  We start off together, then the children go to their own liturgy, then return to their parents after the bible readings and sermon/homily for Communion. Our church does not have a cry room, and I'm actually glad for that. My personal opinion is that cry rooms tend to relax parents so much that it becomes a nursery, not a place to allow for a weeping child to go get calm, or a child to learn to participate respectfully with parents who are trying to focus. But, if you like them - I'm glad your church has them, lol!

Going back to what I love about our Mass. If we didn't have that Children's Liturgy option, I would prefer my children be with our family versus gone the whole time. And, it isn't because of what Nathan said in the comment section of his post:

"Let me also add that I do believe that there are certainly times when families can and should worship together. But, if you choose to make Sunday morning that time for your family, what are you doing with the rest of the week?"

My family does spend a lot of time in worship together during the week by praying, singing, sharing, or learning together. But, it is the coming together in Communion (there is a nod to "community" there in the name) that we can't get at any other time during the week, unless it is at daily Mass which can be hard for families to attend with work, etc. We are called to be the one Body of Christ and the branches (John 15:5) of the vine.

I think it also speaks volumes on how welcome a family can feel at a new church if their children can sit with them if they are not comfortable dropping them off at a nursery, Children's Liturgy,  or program on their first visit, and are allowed to do so in any denomination. 

My parish also has several children and adults with special needs who do yell out, or make sounds or squeals during Mass. It makes me feel so utterly grateful to be a part of a church who lets them have a place "at table" (and please do not think I am saying that other groups do not allow those with special needs attend!!! I am just saying I love the inclusion I can see at my own church and I'm grateful for it first hand).

That said, I am also grateful for a nursery for my youngest so I can work with Valiant on her Mass participation more clearly. I am just grateful it is viewed as an option, not an expectation.

How do you feel about Matthew Warner's article? Or, are you more in alignment with Nathan Lawrenson's post? What has shaped how you feel about it?

Bless you!!!

 ** Read my first comment under this post for another viewpoint**