When the Non-churched Clubber Behaves like a … Non-churched Clubber

What’s his name? That non-churched kid at your church?

Joey’s friend Dylan made an impact on the well-ordered Awana club at the brick church on the corner. Dylan had never been to church before. Ever. Within five minutes, he had wandered out the door of the Sparks room and down the hall. The leaders, working with the other Sparkies to complete a wall mural, didn’t notice that he had gone. Wandering Sparkies were not usually a problem and they were concentrating on the kids who were drawing Moses’ tent.

“My friend’s gone,” Joey announced.

The director, instantly alert, hurried out the door and down the hall to find Dylan in the empty church nursery pulling toys off the shelves. She took his hand to lead him back to the Sparks room, but he let out a fierce scream, kicked his feet and flopped down on the floor.

And that was just the start. He didn’t sit when the class sat and when he did sit, he crawled under the table, making it difficult to reach him through the myriad of chair legs.

He laughed when Sparkies were told to be quiet and then let out a few choice words.

Not only had he no interest in memorizing the verse, he had never heard of the Bible or God (except as a swear word).

At the end of the night, the leaders were exhausted and when one mumbled, “Hope he never comes back again,” others nodded in agreement.

But wait a minute.

Why do we work in children’s ministry?

When the Lord told the disciples, Let the little children come to Me (Matthew 19:14), He didn’t add “if they’re sweet, obedient and quick learners.”

Let’s be honest.

That girl who always wears her clean vest/jersey, who always has her verse memorized, who stands behind the game line and runs around the pin, probably doesn’t need us all that much. Someone (a parent) is training her well. That’s not to say that kids like “sweet, church girl” don’t benefit from learning new aspects of God’s Word, or having a systemized method of memorizing or spending time with their Christian friends. They are benefiting and these benefits can make a big difference in their lives.

Yet, they already have dad and/or mom, grandparents, an aunt/uncle – someone who is doing a great job of nurturing them spiritually.

At the beginning of the year we pray that we’ll have a great year in Awana. What do we mean by that? That all children will be perfectly prepared, behaved and cheerful?

Not going to happen.

Let the little children come to Me.

The Lord meant all the children, including the non-churched Sparkie who behaves as if he’s … well … non-churched. These are the children who are most in need of our love, our concern, our prayers, our attention and our patience as we begin to teach them biblical concepts that are as foreign to them as another language.

We can make a difference in that child’s life.

Yes, sometimes we are exhausted, discouraged, frustrated or not feeling well … but we need to keep on keeping on. God promises, so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty (Isaiah 55:11).

That’s why we do what we do.

So, instead of groaning or rolling our eyes or mumbling to our friendly, co-leader when we see that non-churched child wander in the door – let’s thank the Lord for the opportunity to teach this young child about His Creator, the One who can change His life forever!

After all, that’s why we’re here in the first place.

By the way, what’s her name? That non-churched child at YOUR church?