The wonder of exploration

By Nigel Hanscamp

I wonder … can I embrace the gasp and giggle of little ones in worship? (a confession)

The guest speaker put several precious items in front of the communion table, including clapsticks and their possum blanket or cloak.

It wasn’t long before three-year-old Gemma spotted the possum blanket.

She walked up and touched it, looking over her shoulder at dad as she did (permission?).

I tensed: I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who wondered if touching this was appropriate.

Kids walking around during the worship services isn’t unusual – in fact they are welcomed. It’s the reason their parents can feel relaxed and welcomed, and happy to bring their chattering, dancing, singing little people to church.

Gemma wandered off for a little bit, then came back, touched the possum cloak again getting a sense of the soft fur under her small hands; touch, stroke, touch, look over her shoulder at Dad … and then bending over and feeling it with her cheek.

The sensation of such soft and unusual texture was obviously a wonder and delight to her. I’m also sure I wasn’t the only one who wanted to join Gemma – but maybe I’m too adult and too polite.

And then, quite naturally, she laid down on the possum cloak – as its owner would have done in the past. I felt again my breath catch – ‘is this appropriate?’ (internal gasp) and ‘that is so wonderful!’ (internal giggle) at the same time.

Both generational and intergenerational ministry is full of these moments of curiosity, wonder and exploration that confront the boundaries of what we think is ‘normal behaviour’ – when we use all our senses to learn and worship. I wonder if that is what Jesus means when he tells me to ‘welcome the kingdom as a little child’?

While I’m thinking about that, I’ll leave you with the mental image of a three-year-old curled up on a possum skin blanket in front of a communion table.

Nigel Hanscamp is Director – Priorities, Focus and Advocacy within equipping Leadership for Mission