Blessing Your Children, Youth and Leadership Team
/As I write this it’s Labour Day, the last hurrah of summer before school begins tomorrow. It’s always a bittersweet time of saying goodbye to summer’s relaxed pace and adventures, and anticipating change, earlier mornings and likely at least some anxiety about what is coming next.
Particularly for students starting at a new school or moving away from home for post-secondary education, this can be a nerve-wracking transition. At the same time, the leaders on your team, particularly those who are new, will possibly have some anxieties of their own. How will my group get along? How will I know how to handle the challenges that will come?
In worship, we have the opportunity to acknowledge and address those anxieties and to bring them before God whose love can reassure us and remind us that we are never alone. In worship, the whole community can be reminded of the importance of our ministries to children and youth and their unique needs as a new school year begins. Starting the year off well, both at school through the week and in ministry programs, should be marked by dedicating them to God and seeking God’s will in how we live them out.
Whether you take the time this Sunday or later this month to acknowledge these new beginnings and to seek God’s blessing, consider doing one or more of the following:
1. I’m personally not a big fan of blessing backpacks. What happens when the zipper breaks or the markers dry out? Did God not really bless them? Instead, a blessing of the children and youth themselves is more meaningful to me. Rather than just saying something to a group of children and youth, think about having elders or other caring adults come forward to gently lay hands on their heads and shoulders and to physically encircle them with love and support. If possible, mention them by name as you pray for them.
2. Don’t forget to recognize and pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for teachers in the congregation and community. The task of teaching in the classroom has possibly never been more stressful or demanding. Encourage people in the congregation to not just pray for your children and youth throughout this year, but also for those who teach.
3. Many churches “commission” their teachers and leaders in front of the congregation. This allows everyone to see who the leaders are, for the congregation to be asked to commit to supporting their work, for their ministry to be acknowledged as from God and critical to the life of the congregation, and for the children to have a part in committing to being part of what is happening in a positive way. There are many commissioning services online to choose from, each with a different focus. Think about what the particular needs are in your own context when choosing and possibly modifying one.
4. Use this time to lift up the place of young people in your congregation. Ask them what they are looking forward to this year, share a bit about the programs and curriculum, and paint a picture of what these ministries look like. Generate enthusiasm about what will be happening. Invite members of the congregation to talk with the children and youth as the season begins about what they are experiencing. If you have powerpoint capability, have a slideshow running of photos while someone speaks about the programs. If not, make sure that there is a variety of photos on prominent bulletin boards for people to see.
5. Often a commissioning and kick-off service becomes about the people more than about God. Be sure to keep the focus on why we are doing these things – we are celebrating the gifts God has given to our leaders, we are answering the call of God to raise the next generation in the faith, we are honouring God’s Word and guidance, we are seeking God’s peace and blessing as we experience new beginnings, we are asking God to help us to remember that we are all learners growing in grace.
A kick-off to your fall ministries is a tangible reminder of many things – God’s presence through all the changes and stages of life, the awesomeness of the journey we are on as followers, the privilege it is to serve and to lead others into faith, the hope and tremendous opportunities we have when all generations are together and honoured, and the gifts we are to each other in offering support and committing to walk together.
May your ministries to all ages this new season be fruitful and inspiring! And may God shower blessings on you as you start the journey once again.