Young Leaders

Recently, our Confirmation class was honored and helped lead worship on Sunday morning. Eighth graders are funny human beings. They have the ability to think abstractly and to understand metaphor but they also still think in concrete ways. They truly stand with a foot in their childhood yet can inspire, and think in profound ways. Confirmation was their transition into owning their faith for themselves and they now hold voting rights as members of our congregation. This week I was working with our graduating Seniors as they prepare for worship on Sunday. We will celebrate them and they will lead us in worship. I am so proud of the fact that we are still a church that allows young people to lead. I have known other churches that grow to a certain size and then no longer allow any of their young people to help lead worship. In their efforts for perfection, they silence the young voices within the church. This is heart breaking to me because I know that I would not be a minister if my home church had not allowed me and encouraged me to lead in worship as a child and teenager. That little church worshiping about a hundred people has produced fourteen people who have heard God’s call in to full time ministry. ( In addition to myself, Rev. David Wiggs who recently retired from serving Boston Avenue came out of that little county seat church.) We have the evidence that proves that young people who are invited to lead in a safe environment thrive and grow in confidence. And yes, maybe it isn’t always perfect, but neither are the adults. Loving them as they learn is so important.

So as the world celebrates Mother’s on Sunday, we will be praising God and giving thanks for the young people who have found their voices in this congregation. I hope you are looking forward to hearing them give witness to their faith. Then on the eighteenth of May, our new Hand Chimes will be leading in worship for the very first time. These kids and young youth have been practicing for months learning how to play and perfecting their song. We are excited to support this new ministry that Robert B. envisioned for our congregation.

Our young people serve by leading the sunrise service for the entire congregation. They serve as the Welcome Team on every fifth Sunday. They go to Iron Gate, Night Light Tulsa and other non-profits representing us in the work that they do. Our children do missions as well in Local Mission Day Camp every summer and as part of their offering each week. They do amazing things at VBS and they lead the entire church sometimes in singing. We are so blessed to even have a church full of children and youth in a time that most churches are struggling to reach young people.

So well done Faith. You are growing great Disciples. You are sending them into the world encouraged, confident and loved. That is a foundation that will help them as they transition into the next phase of their lives. Thank you for showing up and saying that they are valuable. Thank you for the ways you support them and the ministry that they do.

Love,