10 Apr 2026, 07:30Dr Kirk Thomas, South England Conference PresidentWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Of Such Is the Kingdom: Making Space for Children in Our Church Life
Pastoral Letter, 10 April 2026
Dear Church Family,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus. This week, our focus turns to our children – specifically, being aware of their needs. It is easy, then, to assume that this reflection is for someone else. But that would be a mistake. As a new grandfather, I know from experience with my children that once they reach a certain age, it can seem like they catch up with the rest of us very quickly in how they grow physically and in other ways, including spiritually at times. Yet based on what Jesus taught concerning children, it is a mistake to let their relatively diminutive size fool us into believing that they are unimportant. Many important decisions can be made during, or heavily influenced by, our early years, so childhood should never be taken for granted.
The disciples had thought of children coming to Jesus in a public setting as bothering Him: “But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 19:14, with the moment Jesus shared this teaching also recounted in Luke 18:16. No one is born perfect in this sinful world. Yet Jesus used children as an example for us when it comes to our relationship with God because of their tendencies to be more straightforward in their communications, open, genuine, aware of their dependency and trusting, which you can see as they interact with their primary caregivers.
Anyone who has observed how children often relate to trusted individuals, how they are when they haven’t seen them for a while, and anyone who has been the target of or even witnessed a child in the throes of a campaign of asking for something from a parent will see a demonstration of these qualities at play. These children do not seem to doubt the parents’ ability to provide what they are asking for, and this is great encouragement for us as we approach God in our relationship with Him and regarding all other needs. It is an amazing thought that Jesus did not say this of adults or any other group, but He referred specifically to children as He remarked: “of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 10 of the same chapter in Matthew also suggests that the connection of children to God and the awareness they receive in heaven as those who are vulnerable is especially strong.
The passage Jesus stands up for the right of children to approach God, connect with Him, learn from Him and be blessed by Him like everyone else. All too often, our plans are based around adults alone, and children can be an afterthought. Not only do His words here have implications for children’s ability to connect with God, but in a related way, to children’s worship, including all outward aspects regarding these activities and the provisions we make.
There was a time when we would often hear the phrase that children are “the Church of tomorrow” Jesus’ statements suggest that they are also the Church of today. Perhaps if we do not allow children to be the Church of today now, by the time we do, it may be too late. How do we factor children’s needs for God into our activities on Sabbaths and in our day-to-day lives? Do we pay attention to their welfare and well-being, or do we leave this to someone else and hope for the best? How integrated are our children into the Church as valued individual beings who belong and have a special place within Church life? Is there something you or I could do to work with children, investing our time, resources, presents, talents, smiles, greetings, presence, and all that belongs to us into providing safe, enriching spaces for them? Do you see their worship as valid and their spiritual lives as something to be cultivated with appreciation and gentleness?
We should not take it for granted that church experiences on offer are sufficient for children. A sobering thought is that, similarly to youth, statistics indicate that in some Christian churches, there are no children in attendance (Church Times: 2024-2025). However, for children who do attend, if their parents are not harsh, research highlights several wonderful benefits that churchgoing and believing children are set up for in their future adult life. For example, higher levels of confidence, positive attitudes, resilience, happiness, positive mental health and well-being (Institute for Family Studies: 2022). There are some indications that involvement with the church can underpin more successful careers, too (Taylor & Francis Online: 2022). Although not everyone has their own biological children, these psychological, occupational and spiritual benefits are something we should play a role in establishing for children in each of our churches because it takes each one of us to build a church community.
Here are some additional points to ponder about children:
We may think that the experiences of children have little to do with us and are not really for us to engage with. However, the saying applies here that we can assess the quality of a community by how well they treat their most vulnerable members.
“Parents should never hurry their children out of their childhood. Let the lessons given them be of that character which will inspire their hearts with noble purposes; but let them be children and grow up with that simple trust, candour, and truthfulness which will prepare them to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Child Guidance, Ellen White: p.204).
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him” Psalm 127:3. Let’s give thanks for children, teach children, learn from children, seek to have a good influence on their lives at a time when this could go a long way and invest in them both as the Church of today and the church of the future. May God bless our children.
Be Inspired for Mission!
Dear Church Family,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus. This week, our focus turns to our children – specifically, being aware of their needs. It is easy, then, to assume that this reflection is for someone else. But that would be a mistake. As a new grandfather, I know from experience with my children that once they reach a certain age, it can seem like they catch up with the rest of us very quickly in how they grow physically and in other ways, including spiritually at times. Yet based on what Jesus taught concerning children, it is a mistake to let their relatively diminutive size fool us into believing that they are unimportant. Many important decisions can be made during, or heavily influenced by, our early years, so childhood should never be taken for granted.
The disciples had thought of children coming to Jesus in a public setting as bothering Him: “But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 19:14, with the moment Jesus shared this teaching also recounted in Luke 18:16. No one is born perfect in this sinful world. Yet Jesus used children as an example for us when it comes to our relationship with God because of their tendencies to be more straightforward in their communications, open, genuine, aware of their dependency and trusting, which you can see as they interact with their primary caregivers.
Anyone who has observed how children often relate to trusted individuals, how they are when they haven’t seen them for a while, and anyone who has been the target of or even witnessed a child in the throes of a campaign of asking for something from a parent will see a demonstration of these qualities at play. These children do not seem to doubt the parents’ ability to provide what they are asking for, and this is great encouragement for us as we approach God in our relationship with Him and regarding all other needs. It is an amazing thought that Jesus did not say this of adults or any other group, but He referred specifically to children as He remarked: “of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 10 of the same chapter in Matthew also suggests that the connection of children to God and the awareness they receive in heaven as those who are vulnerable is especially strong.
The passage Jesus stands up for the right of children to approach God, connect with Him, learn from Him and be blessed by Him like everyone else. All too often, our plans are based around adults alone, and children can be an afterthought. Not only do His words here have implications for children’s ability to connect with God, but in a related way, to children’s worship, including all outward aspects regarding these activities and the provisions we make.
There was a time when we would often hear the phrase that children are “the Church of tomorrow” Jesus’ statements suggest that they are also the Church of today. Perhaps if we do not allow children to be the Church of today now, by the time we do, it may be too late. How do we factor children’s needs for God into our activities on Sabbaths and in our day-to-day lives? Do we pay attention to their welfare and well-being, or do we leave this to someone else and hope for the best? How integrated are our children into the Church as valued individual beings who belong and have a special place within Church life? Is there something you or I could do to work with children, investing our time, resources, presents, talents, smiles, greetings, presence, and all that belongs to us into providing safe, enriching spaces for them? Do you see their worship as valid and their spiritual lives as something to be cultivated with appreciation and gentleness?
We should not take it for granted that church experiences on offer are sufficient for children. A sobering thought is that, similarly to youth, statistics indicate that in some Christian churches, there are no children in attendance (Church Times: 2024-2025). However, for children who do attend, if their parents are not harsh, research highlights several wonderful benefits that churchgoing and believing children are set up for in their future adult life. For example, higher levels of confidence, positive attitudes, resilience, happiness, positive mental health and well-being (Institute for Family Studies: 2022). There are some indications that involvement with the church can underpin more successful careers, too (Taylor & Francis Online: 2022). Although not everyone has their own biological children, these psychological, occupational and spiritual benefits are something we should play a role in establishing for children in each of our churches because it takes each one of us to build a church community.
Here are some additional points to ponder about children:
We may think that the experiences of children have little to do with us and are not really for us to engage with. However, the saying applies here that we can assess the quality of a community by how well they treat their most vulnerable members.
“Parents should never hurry their children out of their childhood. Let the lessons given them be of that character which will inspire their hearts with noble purposes; but let them be children and grow up with that simple trust, candour, and truthfulness which will prepare them to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Child Guidance, Ellen White: p.204).
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him” Psalm 127:3. Let’s give thanks for children, teach children, learn from children, seek to have a good influence on their lives at a time when this could go a long way and invest in them both as the Church of today and the church of the future. May God bless our children.
Be Inspired for Mission!
