Advent and Peace in Children's Ministries
/Peace is something we seem to have in short supply, whether we are talking about conflicts around the world that are displacing millions of people and taking countless lives, or whether we're talking about the choice to act out in violence in public places, or whether we're talking about interpersonal conflicts and constant stress in our internal lives that can bring us to a breaking point.
Advent offers the reminder that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace, to offer the peace "that passes all understanding" - a peace that doesn't make sense but just is, and that reminds us of the powerful, loving presence and acceptance of God and the rest we can find. Advent is a good time to take stock of how well we're doing at finding that peace, of making it a priority to rest in God's restoring presence, and of spreading peace to those whose lives intersect with ours.
Turning to children's ministry, peaceful is rarely an adjective used to describe anything to do with children. However, I think too often we have a narrow idea of what peace looks like. For adults, peace is usually followed quickly with "and quiet" but they are not synonymous, especially in church. In fact, parents know that if the house is too quiet, their kids are up to something and it's probably not good.
How do we gage how peaceful our children's ministries are? A great first step is to talk to the kids themselves. Ask them what peace looks and sounds like. When and where have they found peace at church? For some Sunday schools, it's a minor miracle when there isn't interpersonal conflict going on and when kids remember to keep their hands and feet to themselves and listen to others. For others, peace with each other is not the problem but peace with parents and siblings. For still others, caring about the needs and worth of those beyond their learning space and the church's walls is an issue.
When we all know how to be together in community and we all know how to act, then that can sometimes turn into the idea that only those who are already a part of us belong. How do we find peace with those of different denominations who we might perceive to be arrogant (and who may perceive us the same way)? How do we find peace with those of another faith or no faith, with those who will respect us and those who won't?
Figure out what your peace learning edge is for your own children's ministry. Where is God challenging you to grow as you live out the calling to be a blessed peacemaker? Talk with your kids and leaders about positive solutions to conflict and disagreements. How can we all feel God's love when we're here? How can we take God's love and peace into our sibling and parent relationships? How do we talk to others so they will want to listen, and how do we listen so others will want to talk?
Add prayers of peace to your prayer wall, if you've begun this. If possible, have a globe or world map so that prayers can be placed on specific places and to remind learners to think beyond themselves. Provide slips of paper that say "As a peacemaker, I will..." that can be added to the wall. Provide a quiet place for reflection - a corner of a classroom or little-used room with Bibles for different reading levels, peace themed picture books, a blanket and some pillows. Invite kids to go to this space as they need to in the days leading up to Christmas.
As adults responsible for children's ministries, make sure you talk and think and pray through peace in your programs. Where is there tension with volunteers or parents or participants? What misunderstandings have taken place? Where is there a lack of unity that can erode the good that Jesus is doing through you? How has God's peace transcended challenges since September? How are you modeling the peace we find in Christ?
Have a peace-filled week, carving out some time to rest on the everlasting arms in the midst of this busy season of preparation.