It was early one Sunday morning, long before people began to arrive for the day. I was a ten-year-old kid roaming through the halls of the church while my dad set up all the sound equipment that would be needed for the services that day. To occupy my time, I ventured down to our associate pastor’s office and plopped down on her couch. I’m absolutely positive she had better things she needed to be doing with her time that morning, yet she never made me feel as such. She always made me feel like the most important person to her. So, after we chatted for a bit, we made our way to the sanctuary together.

As we were walking up the brick steps that led from the slate floors of the narthex into the sanctuary, one of the ushers looked over at us, saying to me, “One day, you’re going to be up there, just like her.”

Such a simple statement that was saturated with the grace of Jesus going ahead of me. It was a comment that has lingered with me ever since. As I reached middle school, I took on leadership roles in our conference level youth ministry and by the time I was in high school I became a certified lay speaker, filling in for pastors on Sunday mornings when they were on vacation.

All the while I was determined I would never serve as a pastor of a church. This determination came not out of any rational reason that I can recall, simply instead a resolve that I was never “cut-out” for such a task.

Certainly, I was just as shocked as anyone else when at the age of twenty-five I found myself stepping into the role of a senior pastor. Feeling completely unprepared and unequipped opened the door to receiving extravagant grace—from both the congregation, as we learned and grew together, and from our God.

All of that to say, I am constantly reminded of the impact that day so many years ago had on where I am and how I am serving now. From an associate pastor who always made time for our conversations and my random drop-in office visits to the parishioner who saw in me something I wouldn’t even begin to see for myself until many years later, the impact adults in the church can have on young people has the potential for lasting consequences.

“Let the little children come to Me; do not get in their way. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to children like these.” (Matthew 19:14, the VOICE)

After sharing such words of rebuke with the crowd, we are told Jesus embraced the children, laying hands on them and praying with them before moving onward. These words and actions from Jesus are often used as reminders to us about the importance of young people within the church. Yet often, our churches are structured in such a way that we do not embody the same level of importance.

In some congregations the answer to age specific ministry is to throw a great deal of financial resources toward creating the flashiest spaces possible so that as soon as adults arrive in the building, the children and teenagers can be out of sight, out of mind, without the adults ever having to worry about a moment of being bothered by their interruptions. It is a modern-day fix when means are possible for it, right? It makes sense.

None of those things are “bad” in and of themselves and all are understandable, probably also coming from a genuine place of attempting to embody these “red letter words” from Jesus. And yet, I also believe when these are our only solutions, we are no better than the crowds trying to keep the young ones from experiencing the presence of Jesus.

There is so much beauty that happens when multiple generations worship, learn, grow, and serve together. When older adults know the names of the young people in their church, their energy and differences become embraced instead of distracting. When children, youth, and teens are seen and experience God’s grace through the congregation pouring into them, there is no guessing how they might experience God’s call on their lives—even from their early years and throughout their teenage journey.

Jesus’ words were clear when he declared “the kingdom of heaven belongs to children like these.” He didn’t say, “in the future, when they are older and can better understand things, sit still longer, and contribute more fully, the kingdom of heaven will belong to them.” What he said instead was in the present tense. Right then, even in their youth, the kingdom of heaven belonged to them. I am incredibly grateful for a congregation who understood this, embodying it for themselves, and creating space for me to be seen, even recognizing and naming a call that would not come to fruition until fifteen years later.

Join us at Animate 2025 and be part of a transformative movement where young leaders discover, embrace, and use their unique gifts to make an impact in the church and advance God's kingdom. Registration is open through May 15 or until the camp reaches capacity, so don't wait! Choose an artistic track that inspires you and engage in toolbox classes, including those led by Animate 2025 Pastor, Amy Howard.

Rev. Amy Howard is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving at First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa. She is passionate about helping people experience the transformational love of Jesus through communities of belonging. With a background in Christian Education and campus ministry before her last thirteen years in a pastoral role, she especially loves to help young people discover the ways they can use their enthusiastic faith to make a difference in the Church now. Above all though, she loves being “momma” to Cora and Bryson.

Learn more about Animate through these must-read posts!

Animate: Embracing Worship Diversity and Deepening Our Connection to God

Answering the Call: Young Leaders at the Heart of God’s Mission

Animate: A Reflection of the Church as One Body in Christ

Coming Home to Diverse Worship Practices – A Fuller Picture of the Glory of God

What We’re Learning About Young People and Worship at Animate: Final Thoughts and Future Study