You cannot say you do not like working with children...

You cannot say you do not like working with children in the church. I said that I do not really like working with children because I do not have the skill set for kids, and I was scolded.

"How can you not like children!"
"You cannot say that, you are a minister!"
"Where is your soul?!"
"Children are precious and I just do not know how you could say that!"

A few days later I was in a conversation with several people and the topic turned to how horrible youth are in the church.

"They make a mess."
"They are loud in church."
"They do not respect their elders."
"They feel entitled."
"They don't contribute to the life of the church."

So I guess I am curious to know how these descriptors are any different from children? I would submit they do not. The only difference is it is okay to say "I do not like to work with youth" and it is not okay to say "I do not like to work with children."

So if you are a child, you are wonderful.
If you are a youth, you are not.
If you are an adult, you must love children and leave working with youth to the "younger hired hands."

This makes my head hurt.

Sunday Worship Observations

Things which raised my eyebrow this morning in worship:

1. The gospel of Mark begins in the wilderness with John the Baptist who is firing off like a roman candle exploding for a moment then burning out quickly.
2. We listen to John the Baptist like we listen to flight attendants who give us life saving information about safety belts and exits.
3. The was a young kid, Max, who had a plastic alligator on his head while he took communion.
4. A little girl said to her dad while at the Communion rail just before we gave her communion, "I don't know what or understand." - Which I thought was amazingly honest response to communion.
5. Who are we? (self-identify)
6. Who is God calling us to be? (purpose)
7. Who is our neighbor? (context)