Kids’ stuff – The tricky art of the children’s sermon

United Methodist Reporter: Kids’ stuff – The tricky art of the children’s sermon

… Now, some United Methodists are asking whether children’s sermons need to go.

“A noble effort but an unfortunate strategy” is how Bishop Will
Willimon (now retired) characterized the practice on his blog a few
years ago, adding that he had two objections to children’s sermons:
“They are not for children and are usually not sermons.”

Melanie C. Gordon, director of ministry with children for the General
Board of Discipleship, isn’t high on the idea of children’s sermons
either.

“Personally, I’m not a fan of them, and I’ve gotten a lot of flak for
that,” she said. “I’ve seen some wonderful children’s moments, and I’ve
seen some that are painful.” …

… But children’s sermons in Sunday worship seem to have really taken
off in the 1970s, as mainline churches, taking cues from Vatican II,
experimented with creative models of worship. In a quick survey of
materials in GBOD’s archives, Ms. Gordon couldn’t find evidence of
children’s sermons in worship until the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Now, churches are rethinking children’s sermons as part of a broader
consideration of what creates vital worship and vital congregations. Dr.
Phillips says that many of his students want to discontinue children’s
sermons at the churches they serve, because children’s sermons interrupt
the flow of traditional worship or seem too old school for contemporary
worship.

Ms. Gordon, too, sees churches debating over whether to continue them.

“Children’s moments fall under that umbrella of a bigger
conversation, about what it means for children to be present in
worship,” Ms. Gordon said. …

… Do it right

Bottom line: For churches that do choose to offer children’s sermons,
it’s important to put time, effort, preparation and prayer into getting
them right.

“Never underestimate the importance of the children’s sermon,” Ms.
Foster said. “What you say makes a spiritual impact on the lives of
those gathered.”

And to Ms. Gordon, the test of excellence definitely applies.

“If you can’t do them well, don’t do them,” she said.