Pure Joy

I had a great night last night. I had a great time of ministry. A few months back, I preached a series of revival meetings. One of the things that I love about using art in ministry is that the art connects with the kids. Well this time, the kids said they should have me back to do something for them. The pastor, liked the idea so they had me back. Last night I did the first of a series of four services based on the animals of the Bible. It was wonderful. Rather than doing the event in the sanctuary, we did it in their fellowship hall. The kids were seated at tables. I started with doing a painting, then told the story, and then we allowed the kids to do their own painting based on the story and the painting I did. Basically they created their own reminder of the teaching that night. I have to say it was so rewarding, just a night of pure joy.

I had a couple of observations from the evening. The first was, at the end of the night, when the kids were busy painting, I went back to the adults in the back of the room and joked that on the last night the kids were going to sit in the back and the adults were going to paint. These are great folks who I have ministered to several times, and we have a really good rapport, but quite a few folks seemed kind of nervous that I might be serious. I wasn’t, but it struck me. Children are quick to create at just about every opportunity, but the older we get, the people willing to create, especially publicly, shrinks. It bears out what Picasso said, “All children are artists, the problem is to remain one as one grows up.” I honestly would love to know why that is. I can’t imagine life without creating. It’s such an outlet. I’m not saying everyone has to be a professional or that everyone should seek to get a gallery show, or whatever, I just wish everyone would allow themselves the opportunity to get what’s going on inside them, out, not to mention the fun of creating.

My big observation though was this. This was a church event that started in the heart and mind of a child, that the church leadership took seriously and ran with it. I think that is huge and important. The church is consistently losing the next generation. Churches like this one, that give their young people a voice, and take them seriously, have a much better chance of keeping that same generation and all the ones to follow. Next time a kid comes to you with an idea for the church, rather than looking for the problems, look to what can be gained and give it a try. You might be surprised.