Stereotyping and Idolatry

When we are thinking about the ministry of children, I think it is important to look at particular examples. Children, like all people, are each unique creations of God. While children may share many characteristics and gifts with other people of a similar age, each one has their own particular gifts and calling to ministry. A person's age alone does not define them or determine the best way for that individual to participate in the Church community.

This kind of stereotyping, as with any stereotyping whether based on age, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity, etc. comes from our own observations of a limited sample of a certain group within wider society. From a theological perspective it can become a form of idolatry.

As we read in Scripture, idolatry is when we ascribe the power and presence of God to an object that represents only a part of the reality of God. Each person, a creation of God made in God's image is also more than simply the accumulated set of characteristics common to groups they represent based on age, race, gender, ethnicity, etc. When we begin to build our expectations for a particular person on characteristics such as their age and we anticipate what this person should be like - what ministry they should be called to. Our observations move from the realm of the descriptive to the prescriptive and we become blind to the unique presence of each person.

Relationship requires real openness to the whole of who a person is and who God is calling them to be. In the case of children, this means that we must be open to the unique ministry that each child brings to our community. Some may bring ministry full of energy and enthusiasm and excitement, while others will minister in stillness and quiet and wonder. Some children are called to music ministry, some to leading worship, some to teaching, some to committee work and we need to open as a community to receiving the unique gifts of each person.

So this week I would ask that we consider how we can nurture each particular child in their own ministry. Have you noticed a child with a special calling that you could support? Are your expectations about how children should participate in Church preventing you from building relationships with these members of the community? Has the idolatry of stereotyping put limits around your own call to ministry?