Children take the lead in worship at Tahlequah FUMC

BY ABIGAIL SHAW-BOLEN

Kids are not just the future of the church—they are an essential part of God’s work in the world right now! At Tahlequah FUMC, our children are actively engaged in ministry, both within the church and beyond.

In TFUMC Family Ministries, we strive to help children and youth explore three fundamental questions:

1. Who is God? – We teach that God is powerful, loving, holy, and always present. Children learn that God is not distant, but a friend, redeemer, savior, and parent who cares deeply for them.

2. Who am I? – Helping kids understand God’s character gives meaning when we tell them they are made in His image. They begin to see themselves as beloved children of God and learn that God’s expert craftsmanship shapes their identity.

3. Who is my neighbor? –Once children see God’s image in themselves, they begin to see it in others. This recognition drives them to serve and love their neighbors, engaging in mission work that reflects God’s love for the world.

Ministering to others

Our kids aren’t just being ministered to; they are ministering to others and participating in worship, discipleship, and mission work as active members of the body of Christ.

One of my first Sunday School lessons as the Family Ministries Director was on Communion Sunday. I showed them a picture of the Last Supper and asked what they saw. After the expected “Jesus!” response, I anticipated hearing answers like, “bread,” “a table,” or “people eating!” However, one child shyly raised her hand and surprised me by saying, “Believers. Like us.” That moment captured my heart and deepened my respect for these young Christians. It reframed for me the privilege of witnessing these young believers grow in their curiosity, intellect, and understanding of faith.

Week after week, I’ve been awed by how deeply these children engage with scripture. There’s Marcus, who recited the entire story of the Walk to Emmaus weeks after we read it, or Truman, reminding me how the disciples cast their nets on the other side at Jesus’ command. Mary Alice boldly proclaimed the Good News of God’s love, while Zayden, after creating King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol out of felt for our felt board lesson, very seriously warned us all not to bow down to it! These children are insightful, thoughtful, and spiritually gifted. They approach their faith with a mix of innocence and wisdom that is both inspiring and humbling.

A young boy shares a message of faith on Children’s Sunday at Tahlequah FUMC. Submitted photos.

More than just a talent show

Children’s Sunday is more than just a talent show—it’s a true worship service led by our young disciples. The children aren’t performing for the congregation; they are leading us in worship, with God as the true audience. Through prayers, songs, liturgy, artwork, and personal witness, each child contributes to a meaningful service that invites the entire church into a deeper and richer faith. Each child crafted a message to demonstrate our theme, “Be Disciples, Make Disciples,” and brought along an object or a costume to illustrate it. For example, one child shared that being a disciple is like learning to solve a Rubik’s Cube—you have to be patient for all the pieces to fall into place, and you have to learn to love the puzzle before it’s finished. Another child compared a disciple to a sunflower, saying, “We keep our eyes turned to Jesus, the Son and Light of the World.”

Every child is uniquely gifted

If you’d like to develop something like this, you can spend time discerning the spiritual gifts of your children, just as we have at Tahlequah FUMC! Every child is uniquely gifted and has a special calling to share within the local church. Every child can learn to be faithful to God with those spiritual gifts. By celebrating these gifts and inviting children to take part in ministry, you help them realize their God-given potential and inspire them to live out their faith with confidence.

When children are embraced as leaders, servants, and contributors, they bring fresh energy, hope, and joy to the entire congregation. Together, we can watch them flourish as active members of the body of Christ, making a lasting impact on the church and the world—starting right now!

By creating space for children to lead, we’re not only empowering them, but we’re also growing together as a church. These young disciples are helping to shape the future of the church while teaching us how to live faithfully in the present.

We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside them as they continue to grow in their faith and leadership.

Children served communion, prayed, sang, and shared art and personal witness to contribute to a meaningful service, inviting the entire church into a deeper and richer faith.

Each child crafted a message to demonstrate the Children’s Sunday theme, “Be Disciples, Make Disciples,” and brought along an object or costume to illustrate it.