Children’s Sermons

Another story about Ann and her precocious childhood –

First, some background:

Somewhere along the way Jean and I had been taught in a class, or read in a book, that kid’s questions are teaching moments; that you should answer every question you can, and research the questions you can’t answer. We encouraged questions at home and attempted to answer them fully. We did not talk down to Ann and John; we used words they could understand, but we didn’t avoid new or big words either. Thus we hoped to improve their vocabulary, their verbal skills, and their knowledge base.

The story:

When Ann was a munchkin, rug-rat, and curtain-climber, we were members of Highlands Presbyterian Church. The minister there was Harry Cain. The format of the church service had all of the kids sitting in the church pews with their families until the children’s sermon with Harry. The kids would sit on the floor at the front of the church for the children’s sermon, and then they would head off to the nursery just before the adult sermon began.

It was the children’s sermon that we came to dread. Harry came prepared to give a children’s sermon, but he wasn’t prepared for Ann. Ann was used to asking adults questions, and the presence of a congregation of adults did not intimidate her at all. Harry was repeatedly interrupted with questions from Ann, which provided great entertainment for the congregation. Some of the children’s sermons devolved into a conversation between Harry and Ann. The other kids sat there dully and waved to their parents, while Ann peppered Harry with questions.

We weren’t exactly embarrassed, but it sure made us uncomfortable. Ann’s vocabulary was impressive. We were frightened because we had no idea what Ann might say, but did not want to discourage her inquisitive nature. Is it possible to be embarrassed because your kid is so obviously bright? All the other kids were mute, and Ann wouldn’t hush. Sometimes she would begin to relate something that she felt was relevant, and it generally was, and she would go on at length, and Harry would just let her ramble along.

Church services often ran long.