No matter what it’s called, a children’s talk, conversation, or sermon can be an important part of your congregation’s worship experience. Here are some suggestions to share with those who lead this part of the worship service. 

1. The children’s conversation is a part of worship.
Everything that happens in worship is a part of worship, even the children’s conversation. It isn’t a break, intermission, or interlude in worship, so don’t let it be. Be intentional about weaving it into the flow and content of worship. Consider carefully the placement of the children’s conversation in the worship order. Plan the content so that it connects with the rest of worship. Invite leaders of the children’s conversation to use the Scripture texts in their preparation. Provide bulletins in advance so leaders can be familiar with hymns, prayers, and liturgical elements for the day. Encourage worship planning meetings to include the children’s conversation leaders.

2. The children’s conversation is for children.
Perhaps you’ve heard a children’s conversation that is actually a message for the congregation disguised as a talk with children. Avoid misusing this time of worship as a way to get a message to the congregation or, worse yet, as comic relief or entertainment for adults. Remember that this is a time to speak with children in words and images that they will understand.

3. The congregation hasn’t gone anywhere.
Keep in mind that during the children’s conversation the congregation is still there. Don’t encourage worshipers to send the children forward and then “check-out” of worship because “it isn’t for them.” Instead, do things in the children’s time that involve both the children and the rest of the congregation. Like all of worship, a time with children at its best promotes the inclusion of people of all ages in the acts of worship.

4. It is frustrating for the congregation not to be able to see and hear in worship.
Have you ever sat in the sanctuary and watched a children’s conversation disappear down onto the steps of the chancel where you can’t see a thing? Or have you ever strained to hear a children’s conversation in muffled tones? While it can be a good thing to provide a focused time for children in worship, we shouldn’t do so at the expense of everyone else in worship. When leading the children’s conversation, consider standing or sitting in a place where both the children and the congregation will be able to see you. Speak clearly, using a microphone if it is available. Ensure that the entire worshiping community can hear what is being said.

5. Help the children focus.
If in your congregation the children come forward for the children’s conversation, chances are they sit on the steps of the chancel and face the congregation. Unfortunately, this is neither a good learning environment nor a good worship configuration. It places the children “on stage” and, unbeknownst to you, it is a set up for distractions. The children will notice everything but the children’s conversation, especially all the people looking at them. Instead, when the children come forward, invite them to stand or sit facing the chancel. That way you can stand in the chancel facing both the children and the congregation. It will help the children and the congregation to focus on the conversation rather than each other.

6. Limit the “conversation” part and get to the point.
The children’s conversation isn’t really a conversation. It is, at its best, a one-point lesson with a beginning, a middle, an end, and a definite time limit. So, figure out the one point you want to make and stick to it. Rather than introducing several concepts, try to reinforce your one point in several ways. Keep it straightforward, brief, and on track. Also, watch the amount of time you spend chatting with the children or allowing one or two children to “converse.” You can invite group participation without it being conversational.

7. Time is of the essence.
Keep in mind that there’s only so much wiggle room in the typical Presbyterian one-hour worship service. The average American attention span is getting shorter and shorter and we’re cramming more and more into our worship. A three-minute children’s time is ample. Practice beforehand and time yourself. If possible, go by the church and practice in the sanctuary so that you’re comfortable and ready.

8. Ask your questions carefully.
When you ask the children questions during the conversation, plan the questions carefully. Make sure
they are important questions. Silly questions will get silly answers and kids do say some silly things. Kids also say some very profound things, so find a balance that manages the time and talk well but also allows the Holy Spirit to move.

9. It isn’t funny, but it should be fun.
The children’s time isn’t the comedy moment, but it should be enjoyable for everyone. Have fun doing it and enjoy the experience. Try not to take yourself too seriously. You may laugh at yourself on occasion, but keep in mind that it isn’t necessarily a good thing for the congregation to laugh at what the children say or do. Though their actions and comments during the children’s conversation may be humorous, laughter for some children will be embarrassing and even hurtful. For other children who seek and enjoy the attention, congregational laughter may teach them that worship is about attention-getting rather than attention-giving to God. You won’t be able to ensure that the congregation won’t laugh, even at something you say, but do what you can to keep the focus of this time on God.

10. Children learn in worship.
One of the most important lessons children learn in worship is not the content of the children’s conversation, but that they belong in church and are valued and loved by God and the faith community. Worship leaders and the congregation can “incarnate” the welcome that Jesus Christ offers to children. God’s love and the hospitality of the faith community can be experienced and understood at a very early age. Make the children’s conversation just one part of the inclusion of children in worship. Rather than a token offering for the children, consider other ways to involve children fully in the worship life of a congregation.

For more on this topic, order the resource Children in the Sanctuary: Involving Children Fully in the Worship Life of a Congregation.
See the Ideas! E-zine for a downloadable format of “A Process for Preparing and Leading the Children’s Conversation.”

The author, Carl E. Horton, Coordinator for Church Leader Support, can be reached at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5453, or send e-mail to chorton@ctr.pcusa.org.

Additional resources on the topic include: 
Children in the Sanctuary: Involving Children Fully in the Worship Life of a Congregation. This new 2002 study guide with video or DVD is available from Presbyterian Distribution Services at (800) 524-2612.