This Sunday reminded me of why I’m so grateful for the intentionality of our children’s ministry and youth ministry here at Emmanuel. During the morning service, our children and youth took the lead. They helped select the music; they read the scriptures and offered the prayers. They served as greeters, played the offertory, and pronounced the benediction.
It was no mere novelty to solicit clicks online. For us, this service arises out of the deep belief that all members of Christ’s Body have something significant to share. Regardless of age, background, economic status, or educational level, we all bring our own gifts to the table of grace when we worship. I loved seeing and hearing the many wonderful ways our young people led us on Sunday morning.
But that wasn’t the only moment of gratitude I experienced on Sunday. Later that evening we showed up on the 3rd floor for the Summer Recap with our youth. I watched as incoming youth group members were welcomed by their older peers. And I shared a time of blessing for the recent graduates. Together with their families we offered our heart-felt prayers for this new season of life.
As we experienced what was happening, it dawned on me that these were the moments you miss if you just hang around the fringes. Don’t get me wrong, you can still glean a good deal from the fringes. The music can still inspire you there. The stories and laughter might still resonate. But wading into the deeper waters together is one of the reasons that being church to one another matters on a more significant level. It’s there in those deeper waters that we truly connect. It’s where we hear the voices of many generations blessing us. It’s where we see that the Spirit has been active all along, building something beautiful of our lives.
This thing we do matters.
Comments