Prineville Presbyterian Church

^“16But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Luke 18:16).

As we begin our “2^nd Sundays” youth events series (March 8), I’ve been thinking about this Scripture passage (also in Mark’s and Luke’s Gospels).

A quick Google search of images regarding this Scripture has lots of lovely and gentle scenes showing Jesus with any number of neat and orderly and well behaved children; they’re all very similar to the picture above.

And while I have no doubt about Jesus’ great love for all, and maybe even His great love especially for children…I gotta ask: where are the other children?

You know, where’s that kid tugging on Jesus’ robe and asking Him how He felt about the nine lepers who did not turn to thank Him for their healing? (Luke 17:11-19).  

Or, “hey, Jesus…what was the deal with the Canaanite woman and you saying ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs’” (Matthew 15:21-28).                        

Part of our 2^nd Sundays series deliberately includes making space for questions. Man-oh-man I hope they ask all kinds of crazy questions.

In the George Fox Journal, Leonard Sweet says, “A missional church faces outward toward the world. … For too long, churches have faced inward, offering religion as a benefits package—something that ‘meets my needs’ or offers good outcomes.” He tells churches to look at their mission statement. “Is your mission statement based on how to get people to go into the world, or how to get more people to come to church?” He and others who are pushing congregations to be more missional say, “The church is measured, not by its seating capacity, but by its sending capacity.”  (http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/outward-facing-church/)

Scripture never tells us what became of the children brought to Jesus. I do like to think that hearing stories about Him prompted them to want to meet Him; and then having met Jesus they felt their own sense of call to being sent out. And this is where they found faith-filled and God-honoring answers to their questions.

Join us Sundays at 10AM, and bring your crazy questions with you!

Together We Serve,                                                                                                              Pastor Mike

For times and places about 2^nd Sundays: prinevillepc@gmail.com                                        or call (541) 447-1017.