When I was growing up, I met some real live heroes. I still have their autographs! My pastor, Paul Miller, encouraged children to ask for autographs when guest preachers, missionaries and musicians came to our church. We collected them in the front pages of our Bibles (though an autograph book or journal would do). They were held up as heroes – godly men and women to admire and imitate.
Diana DavisTo a child, adults are heroes. Churches and parents can help kids connect with Christian heroes – pastor, music minister, church leaders, guests. Need ideas?
? Encourage your child to shake the pastor’s hand after church on Sunday.
? Invite Christian heroes to your home so your child can interact personally. Ask the new Sunday school teacher for lunch on promotion Sunday.
? Sit near the front and help your child to participate and enjoy worship.
? A Pastor’s Pals notebook can have blanks for sermon title, scripture text, and spaces to draw something mentioned in the sermon or write the sermon outline.
? Perhaps children could be interspersed among the adults in choir and praise team during worship music one Sunday. They’ll enjoy helping to lead worship, and they’ll meet a Christian adult.
? Allow children to work alongside Christian adults at church workdays, special events, prayer emphases, and mission projects and trips. Involve kids in ministry to nursing homes, shut-ins, benevolence and outreach.
Kids need heroes who love Jesus. As I look at those long-ago autographs, I thank God for how Christian leaders have impacted my life. I realize that I’ve gone on mission trips to many countries where those missionaries served. Maybe God used those autographs to inspire one child to want to serve Him more.