Rejoice in Worship - Children and Their Spiritual Journey

The father of Methodism, John Wesley, gave worship a special place in the church. He had a very clear concept of what true worship should be and what should be expected from the congregation as it gathers to worship.

The children are an important element in the life of the congregation, for they will be the church's leaders in the future. Consequently, a good spiritual base for the children in our congregations is of utmost importance. It is, then, the responsibility of the parents and of the members of the congregation to instruct the children from a young age, teaching them the importance of worship in the company of the faith community, that is, the church:

"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." (Proverbs 22:6)

We must teach our children that it is through the worship experience celebrated among the faithful that we receive God's love, which we must then share with our neighbor. They must also understand that God speaks to us and prepares us for this task through prayer, Bible study, sharing with the faith community, and service.

We must remind our children that, just as God has prepared a special place for them, so the church offers care and support by providing opportunities for them to participate in the life of the church. This will help them feel they are an integral part of God's family.

It is important for children to understand the significance of the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. These teachings can take place during training sessions or classes for "confirmation." There, children can be reminded that baptism is a gift from God, a personal relationship between God and the individual, but also a public act, one in which the whole congregation participates. During the baptism of children and infants, both the parents and the congregation promise to instruct the child in the Christian life. During confirmation classes, the children can learn that, through baptism, they become a part of God's family.

Children need to understand also that Holy Communion is a celebration of God's love that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and redemption for us. "Jesus said: 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty'" (John 6:35). Children need to know that Communion is an act of sharing at the Table of the Lord with the rest of the community, a time to celebrate God's active presence in our midst and offer our lives to God. Above all, it is a mandate: "Do this in remembrance of me."

It is good for children to participate in Holy Communion from a young age, along with their families. As they come to the Table, they need to understand what it means to be "children of God." As part of God's family, they will be able to fully experience meaningful worship, but only if the testimony and example of church leaders and members of the congregation is real, transcending the worship experience.

Clara Visot, deceased in 2000, was a lay member of the Affiliated Autonomous Methodist Church in Puerto Rico. She served as chairperson of the Florida Conference Worship Committee and worked extensively with The United Methodist Women's organization. At the jurisdictional level, she led Schools of Christian Mission. In her later years, Clara lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico.