February 8th, 2026
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)
I started helping my mother with Sunday school when I was thirteen years old. I cut paper plates, refilled glue cups, and helped facilitate the games. In the summer, I served as a pre-school guide for VBS and soon graduated to leading music on a few occasions. Even in seminary, I found myself repeatedly serving the children of the Church and I have come to believe there is no greater honor, though there are certainly a great many challenges.
There is a common and unfortunate misconception that Children's Ministry is all about keeping the children busy with Bible stories so that the adults can do the real business of worship or study. But the reality is that, while little bodies may have different needs than older bodies, they are just as integral and important to the life of the church. While it rarely ever goes as planned, nor is it a particularly quiet or orderly job, it is one I am blessed to take part in. Even in the moments when they are too loud, or difficult, or just tired, they remind us of our own humanity and our need of a Savior.
Imagine the court room of a King, a grand open room with a throne at the front. There are those who are talking with the King directly, there are those off to the side having a conversation about other matters, and there are others running around playing some sort of game. They are all welcome in the King’s court because they have been invited.
As adults, we often complicate things to a point of being incomprehensible. We become haughty and self-absorbed, assuming that worship must sound, look, and smell a certain way; allowing our preferences to cloud the true purpose for our gathering. It has been in striving to teach children the beauty of the Christian faith that I have often found the most healing for my own soul; in stripping away the pride and being willing to meet children at the foot of the cross, to tell them the truth about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who wants them to be part of his family because he loves them.
Retreating to the nursery each week, though strategic, is not for the benefit of the adults worshiping in the nave. Nor is the time spent there less worshipful than that spent in the nave. It’s a time to provide space for the type of learning that children crave: not simply playful, but relational. It is my desire that each child who comes through our catechesis program not only learns the truth of God’s love but experiences it through our love of them.
May we image the grace, mercy, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ for the children of Grace, and remember that, in their childhood, they too image Christ.
Megan Gongola, Lay Catechist to Children and Families
