| My children grew up in a church where the gifts of young people were needed in all areas of ministry. The use of their gifts was encouraged by those responsible for the different ministries and appreciated by an older congregation that welcomed with open arms the gifts that young members had to offer "for the common good" and to the glory of God. The age range of the bell choir spanned some sixty years. Both of my children, along with some of their peers, served as worship assistants during high school. My daughter also sang in the choir and directed one summer the Vacation Bible School music program. Wonderful intergenerational friendships developed from the interaction that occurred among older and younger members participating in the same ministries.
While in high school our son began receiving a publication from one of the seminaries. Some time later we discovered that the interim pastor, recognizing our son's gift for bringing lessons to life by the way in which he read them, had put him on the seminary mailing list. God was at work through the pastor who in his unassuming and unique way was exposing our son to the idea of ordained ministry.
All of us need to use our own spiritual gifts to accomplish God's work in the world. We also need to encourage and nurture the spiritual gifts of the young among us in all areas of ministry. The body of Christ — within and outside the walls of the church — will be the stronger for it. |