From the Heart of the Pastor

​As most of you know, over the past couple of Sundays we have started a new series in the book of 1 Samuel.  The book begins with the birth narrative of Samuel.  That has afforded us the opportunity to think about our families and in particular the relationship between mothers and their children.  Last Sunday I spoke on my concern about the church’s approach to ministering to children.  I plan to say this publically on this coming Sunday morning, but I also wanted to address it here.  I want to apologize for something I said in that discussion of children and hopefully clarify.  In discussing children’s church at one point I said it was, “of the devil.”  I regret that I used that phrase and would sincerely like to retract it.  As a preacher speaking as often as I do publically, a person is bound to say something they regret.  Although I do stand by my position that children’s church is not the best option for a congregation, that is not the same as being evil or “of the devil.”  Something can be less than the best and not be evil.
            I also wanted to take this opportunity to clarify that my feelings toward children needing to be in the congregation is not to be taken as a condemnation of the important ministry to children.  It is entirely good and appropriate for children to have several opportunities to hear the truth of God’s word in a way they understand and is meaningful to them.  I am so thankful for the work that Stephenie and so many others do week in and week out to meet the needs of our children.  I simply think the best option for the Lord’s Day morning corporate worship includes children worshipping with their families.
            I want you to yet again here me clearly that our children are a precious blessing to our church.  They do not yet understand or appreciate how blessed they are to belong to families and a church that saturates them with Jesus.  Mason Stokes and Adalynn Schwaderer are both examples of the joy that fills a family and congregation at the earliest stages of a new life.  We are just getting to know them, but I am excited to watch them grow.  Alec Shaw and Maggie Stokes are both coming into their own special personalities.  Both are happy little ones that make me smile every time I see them.  Hannah Boyd and Karis Hooker are both at a stage where they are recognizing that they live with little boys and if they want to get what they need, they have to be assertive, sometimes even aggressive.  Of course, Abram Hooker is one of those brothers who keeps his sister on her toes.  Ava Kaneshiro is always ready for a smile and a hug.  Stephen Stokes is … well, I’ll just leave it at he is beyond description!  Adin Shaw and Catelyn Steele have both become my good friends and they never have a shortage of things to tell you.  Chloe Martin-Vegue has the sweetest smile of innocence and love I think I have ever seen.  And Grayson Kaneshiro may be the smartest almost 6 year old I have ever seen.  All of these are the sweetest little sinners!!  Yes, they are sinners, but thank God they will hear the gospel in their families and at Oak Crest.
 
In Christ,
Blain Craig