At the Chancel Steps: Talking with the Children of the Congregation

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Youth Ministries, Health & Well Being, Self Help, Self Improvement, Affirmations
Cover of the book At the Chancel Steps: Talking with the Children of the Congregation by Lowell Uda, Rice Universe Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lowell Uda ISBN: 9781301341825
Publisher: Rice Universe Publishing Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Lowell Uda
ISBN: 9781301341825
Publisher: Rice Universe Publishing
Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

As a pastor, I love to sit with the children of the congregation on the chancel steps and have a conversation with them. I try to recognize each child by name, to look into their eyes, to listen to and to learn something about her or him. I try to be spontaneous in responding to what the child brings forth. I also try to be responsive to the child within myself. This book contains some of the strategies I have used in talking with children at the chancel steps.

I may have thought about what I'd like to say to the children on a given morning, but I welcome interruptions, what they'd like to talk about. Such interruptions are the joy of the chancel steps.

The best way I've found to give control of the conversation to the children is to use a mystery box, a twelve-by-six-by-six shoebox covered with attractive wrapping paper. I ask a child to take the mystery box home and bring it back next Sunday with something in it. That something can't be something alive that might bite me. My task is to learn more about the object and off-the-cuff make a children's sermon out of it. It's fun for the children and even for the adults in the congregation. I was stumped, or tongue-tied only once, when an adult computer expert got a child to put a motherboard into the mystery box. I missed a great opportunity to talk about mothers as the center of all living.

I also like to use puppets. I'm no ventriloquist, but the children don't mind. They are fascinated by the puppet, whether a rabbit, or lamb, or bear. It allows the children and the pastor to be playful, as God is imaginative and playful.

If you are a pastor or a layperson working with children, you're welcome to use any of the ideas in this e-book with the children of your congregation. The ideas belong to the children.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As a pastor, I love to sit with the children of the congregation on the chancel steps and have a conversation with them. I try to recognize each child by name, to look into their eyes, to listen to and to learn something about her or him. I try to be spontaneous in responding to what the child brings forth. I also try to be responsive to the child within myself. This book contains some of the strategies I have used in talking with children at the chancel steps.

I may have thought about what I'd like to say to the children on a given morning, but I welcome interruptions, what they'd like to talk about. Such interruptions are the joy of the chancel steps.

The best way I've found to give control of the conversation to the children is to use a mystery box, a twelve-by-six-by-six shoebox covered with attractive wrapping paper. I ask a child to take the mystery box home and bring it back next Sunday with something in it. That something can't be something alive that might bite me. My task is to learn more about the object and off-the-cuff make a children's sermon out of it. It's fun for the children and even for the adults in the congregation. I was stumped, or tongue-tied only once, when an adult computer expert got a child to put a motherboard into the mystery box. I missed a great opportunity to talk about mothers as the center of all living.

I also like to use puppets. I'm no ventriloquist, but the children don't mind. They are fascinated by the puppet, whether a rabbit, or lamb, or bear. It allows the children and the pastor to be playful, as God is imaginative and playful.

If you are a pastor or a layperson working with children, you're welcome to use any of the ideas in this e-book with the children of your congregation. The ideas belong to the children.

More books from Affirmations

Cover of the book Be Inspired - June by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Lessons From the Garden by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Eliminating Anger: Foundational Principles by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Pure Positive Strokes by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Pocketful of Miracles by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Seedtime and Harvest by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Easy Guide to: Change by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book La forza di volontà by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Be Happy in Life: Stop Worrying, Build Good Habits, Stay Motivated & Change Your Life by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Comment se sortir de la marde by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book New Year Resolution: The Basics by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Golden Keys to Ascension and Healing by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Productivity Through PLF by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Simple Wisdom for Rich Living by Lowell Uda
Cover of the book Talk to God with Affirmations of Faith by Lowell Uda
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy