Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avizandam. We're often told that once students graduate from high school, a high percentage of them have nothing more to do with the church. I've tried to get the statistical evidence and the research on this, but have been unable to do so.
I think the statement may come from an old poll. But What kind of churches were surveyed? I concede that a higher percentage of young people than we would like who have been raised in a church stop attending once they do go to college or otherwise leave home.
So I thought I'd like to give my perspective on this. Many children and many students have a very weak view of the Church. To them church may be Sunday school, pizza parties, events with a sprinkling of Bible verses.
Some churches have adopted the practice of children and students never being in the corporate worship service. In my view, that's tragic. The Church of Jesus Christ is for all ages.
Now, I realize babies and the very young toddlers are in a special category, but children. even young children can be taught to sit. Often the problem is more with their parents Than with the child. At Calvary Church, children in third grade and older are in our corporate worship services. Is it too much to expect young children to follow worship?
Is it being too ambitious or naive to expect children to listen to a sermon of about forty minutes?
Well, at Calvary, That's exactly what we do. Every Sunday, we prepare a worship brochure to be completed by children in grades 3, 4, and 5. They're asked a number of questions. which they should be able to answer if they've listened to the sermon.
Some questions are very easy. Others require a more thoughtful response. On the back of this brochure, there is an opportunity for them to express themselves in a diagram or art form or whatever. Each Monday morning I receive and read these worship brochures. And I continue to be humbled and encouraged by their responses.
Yes, children can and do listen to preaching and participate in congregational singing. They certainly don't understand all of the message, but neither do most of their parents, nor do I. As well as listening to the message and being part of corporate worship, children then learn that the Church of Jesus Christ is not just for them. Other age group. All of us, including children, tend to put ourselves in the centre of the universe.
Being part of corporate worship and seeing people of all ages, different nationalities and different families helps all of us, including children, including students, to understand that the Church of Jesus Christ is for all peoples. It's not just for a particular ethnicity or age group or culture. It is to be a house of prayer. for all of the nations. Children and students then begin to understand that worship is not about their feelings or their preferences, but rather is worshiping the greatness of God and the grace of God.
It's difficult to capture the majesty of God in a small Sunday school class or Bible study. But to hear corporate singing To hear the prayers, to hear the exposition of the word of God with others. In corporate worship, transcends our small and self-centered lives. In my own case, I began to have an understanding of the fear of the Lord in corporate worship. Observing baptisms, the Lord's Supper, Prayer singing and the preaching of the word helped me to have an understanding of the true and living God.
So at Calvary, week after week, month after month, year after year, our students, our children, and young adults, indeed the whole congregation, is being reminded that God is great and greatly to be praised, that the Lord Jesus Christ is central, supreme, pre eminent. that we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, rather than living self absorbed and selfish lives. At Calvary. We intentionally plan to have our children, our students, our young adults involved in worshiping and serving the Lord. Many sing in the choir.
Play in the band. Play in the orchestra. Sing an unensemble. Usher greet work in technical services. Older students help in the nursery.
work with our special needs students, go on missions trips, help in our sports ministry, our vacation, Bible school, music camps, and so on. In other words, Our children and students are not on the sidelines. but are an integral part of the Church of the Living God. which Paul says is the pillar and ground of the truth. Our society loves to fragment us based on our age, our ethnicity, or socioeconomic factors.
but it is in the Church of Jesus Christ where we meet together as one in Christ.
Now, this doesn't mean that every child or student or young person at Calvary continues in their faith when they go to another situation. As they go to college, as they leave home, they will face important decisions. But it does mean That for many years they have been part of corporate worship, which brings honor. and glory to our God and Father. Avizando.
You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
