As most of you already know, I was a minister of miscellaneous for 20 years. The proper titles I had at my prior places of ministry were Minister of Youth and Children, Minister of Youth, Children, and Senior Adults, Associate Pastor/Education, Youth, Children, and Adults. In other words, I did a lot of ministry with quite a few groups and I never felt like I gave any of my areas of ministry their proper attention. I remember thinking how pleasant and satisfying it would be to do one job really, really well. Like most of those in my situation, some areas came easy and some were a struggle. It is simply impossible to adequately fulfill the ministry needs of all those segments of the church population even if it’s in your job description and title.
At one of my ministry stops, I had adults and parents who did the children’s preparation and work and I just showed up and took credit for it. But this enabled me to enjoy my time with the kids. One of the things I appreciate about Poplar Springs is the children. I am the pastor now and I get to go to events for the younger set, hype the kids up, run and play with them and then turn the little ones over to Nicole, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, and volunteers.
Children are a vital part of any congregation. They are our responsibility and pleasure in the present and our hope for the future. We often speak of the simple wisdom of children and how they can educate us and change our point of view in a variety of ways. In fact, little Jaime was about ten years old when she inspired me in my efforts to minister with the little ones (she’s probably in her forties now with a couple of kids). I was hiking with the children of Mount Olive Baptist Church in King, NC at Hanging Rock State Park when this rather mature ten year old looked up at me as we navigated a rocky trail and, as I hoped and prayed I would return to the van with at least one hundred percent of those in my care, Jaime paused, made eye contact with me and said, “Andy, thank you for taking time to be with the children.” My heart melted and my ministry changed as the words of unexpected appreciation imprinted my memory. Children need ministry too!
Poplar Springs is a congregation that values the birth thru 5th grade crowd and it shows. I have noticed the positive way they are treated when they are here. Teachers are patient with their young students. Leaders and helpers are approachable and are available to them. In other words, you don’t see interaction with the little ones as a dreaded duty or a forced obligation. And folks, it’s working. The “younguns” are showing up and I have heard a number of them talk about how much they love their church. I have watched them linger longer than tired parents would like them to. Our children are offering up sincere prayers and reading scripture, singing and playing music in worship. They are included in Sunday and Thursday Ultimate Frisbee games with youth and adults. They are the future of our church obviously but we aren’t reserving their participation ‘til later on. You are including them….now! I will close with a modified quote from Jaime directed toward you, PSBC, and our dedicated minister to children, Nicole Hamrick, “Thank you for taking time for the children.”
Andy O.
(704) 300-0062