I recently overheard a conversation about kids in church. 1 person was describing an incident that they saw at their church 1 Sunday, where kids disrupted the service. (I personally know of times when people complain about the bus kids at our church interrupting the service. It annoys me every time someone starts in on this topic. More times then not the person complaining has a annoyed, intolerant attitude about the child they are complaining about. I feel bad for the child involved.)
Anyway, the complaining of the children is what led to the statement that they didn't think that children should ever be running around in the auditorium let alone even be ALLOWED to step foot on the platform.
Which ok, I can go down with that. Children should be taught respect of God's house. I totally agree with that. Children should not run around the auditorium or the main building of the church. Personally it just boils down to a respect of God's house.
But the reason behind why children shouldn't be allowed in particularly on the platform annoyed me. And I have thought on it for the past couple days. This person said that they didn't think children should be allowed on the platform b/c that is where the man of God delivers his sermon. That is the place where he delivers his words from God and it is a high and holy place.
That's where it gets tricky for me. Yes, that is obviously the place where the pastor preaches from. BUT God can move anywhere. I personally rarely have a moving experience from God on any given Sunday. I hear from God in the quiet place when I seek him early in the morning. That is the place where I have grown so much. That is the place where God convicts me. Does that mean that God doesn't move on Sunday morning from the pulpit? Absolutely not!! But I refuse to box God in and say that this high and holy man can only deliver God to the people from the platform during a service.
The thing that I keep going back to in my mind is that even if it were true....isn't there a verse in the Bible about the disciples pushing the children away from Christ, and Christ saying something like suffer not the little children to come to me. IF the only place that we can hear from God is on the platform then shouldn't the children be allowed to be there?
With that being said....I do think at least in my experience that we should teach our children a little more respect for the house of God. Kids shouldn't be running around causing chaos. But that's the same whether your in church at in a home. Children should be taught respect for the things around them.
My Brother in law brought these verses to my attention......
John 4:19-26~The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am [he].
Just something to think about......
3 comments:
I tend to agree with what you're saying, Julie. Certainly the platform and pulpit deserve respect, but I don't think there's anything inherently holy about them. To ascribe some sort of holiness to an object like a pulpit is getting dangerously close to bordering on idolatry, if you ask me. Certainly, respect the pulpit--but it's actually just a piece of wood made by human hands. In our circles of Christianity, we have a bad habit of reverencing the man of God almost to the point of worship--and I DON'T think that's a good thing. Your man of God is a human being, an undershepherd. He is not to be revered as someone who is high and holy. That's my humble opinion, based on my understanding of Scripture.
The New Testament totally blows all of this out of the water, IMO. I can't really write a lot right now, but suffice it to say, God has little care about church buildings, platforms, etc. Our attitude means a whole lot more to Him, and that means a lot of us have way messed up priorities.
totally, TOTALLY agree with your thoughts here!
great post
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