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Let the Little Children Come To Me...

Last month, I attended the first of three two-week intensives required for my Doctorate in Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. One of the first assignments was a paper chronicling my faith journey, especially as it related to leaders in churches I attended.

As I thought through and wrote the paper, I realized that pastors in churches I attended in my childhood seemed - at times - distant and unapproachable. Stern, even. Especially to children. 

I'm sure I'm not alone. Many of us share a similar experience, though we attended different churches.

But, the call of Jesus is always countercultural:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10.13-16)

The disciples' initial response was understandable. It was assumed. It's easy to make them the bad guys, but they were just reflecting the common cultural norms of their day. 

In a way, those norms continue today. (Remember those distant, unapproachable, even stern church leaders we just thought of?) But we have this countercultural call of Jesus to welcome children in His name - what's more to become like a child to enter the Kingdom!

On Monday, July 25th, over 100 adult servants will welcome over 300 children to campus, to share with them the love of Jesus, the Light of the world. Words don't do justice to my excitement for this week and my pride that so many of you are putting your own lives on hold to serve these kids!

If you haven't yet signed up to serve during VBS week, we still have two needs: 

  1. Pray! Lift up these kids and their parents - that they would feel welcome on our campus and would commit to following Jesus, the Light of the world. And lift up our adult servants, too! That they would have energy, patience, and passion to share the love of God. 
  2. Serve Friday night! We are still in need of willing servants to help dish up Chick Fil A sandwiches at our Friday evening VBS celebration. Contact if you are willing to serve.

And remember Jesus' instructions: If you want to enter the Kingdom of God, don't act your age.

Pastor Curtis

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