Welcome to

Welcoming Children with Special Needs into Corporate Worship On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer that we would welcome children with special needs to the regular worship of God’s people.  Don’t we want all men and women, boys and girls to be included in the community of worshipers?  Isn’t this what Christianity is all about?  But when we dig a bit deeper, three objections to their inclusion typically spring up: Children with special needs (depending on their disability) cannot understand the sermon. Children with special needs cannot truly participate in a typical worship service. Children with special needs can [...]

Why Should We Teach Our Children Covenant Theology? Even though many Christian parents raise their children in covenant communities, many do not fully grasp what the word “covenant” truly means. Most Bible curriculums are taught as a collection of stories neatly told in chronological order. The Bible is more than that. The Bible is the story of how God created His people, called His people, loved His people, and is yearning to bring those people back into full relationship with Him. God made covenantal promises to His people with a love so strong that He was willing to give His [...]

Building Little Pillars in the Faith Back in the day when my pigtails were tied with ribbons, when my knees were constantly brandishing scrapes and scabs, and when (according to my children) dinosaurs frolicked with my pet saber-toothed tiger in the backyard, I discovered the most remarkable toy. Winter in South Florida ushers in an opportunity for its sweaty residents to throw open windows and suck coolish air into their lungs. Part of our family’s celebration of this temporary break from the heat was hauling out a big box fan. This box fan would be strategically placed so that the [...]

All the Things You Wish You Knew  When I began serving in children's ministry, I was very young. I often look back on my years serving as a children's director and think, "Wow! There are so many things I would do differently if I knew then what I know now!" I grew up a covenant child.  I grew up volunteering at VBS and in the nursery from the time I was too old to be in the children's ministry myself.  I loved children and I had a heart for them (I still do!), yet I lacked the knowledge and skills to [...]

Teaching Children to Discriminate With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on homosexual marriage and recent efforts to claim certain legal rights for the “transgendered,” states and cities have responded with proposed laws and ordinances of their own.  Proponents have argued that these are attempts to protect traditional Christian definitions of marriage, as well as the freedom of religion.  Opponents claim these are simply fearful and malicious actions that give Christians the right to discriminate against people who are different.  Some have even gone further to say that particular states are producing new “Jim Crow laws” against the LGBT minority, which [...]