The Value of the Ministry of Acolytes
Children are not the future of the church. They are fully members of the Body of Christ now. As such, we should be actively ministering to children and open to their exercising appropriate forms of participation in the life of the ministry of the church given their abilities. One important distinction with liturgical churches and other Christian congregations is that through the ministry of acolytes, kids can grow up assisting in the worship life of their congregation. (At left, the author is pictured celebrating communion with his daughter beside him as an acolyte nine years ago when King of Peace, Kingsland was meeting in a house. She is now a college sophomore.)
Having kids who are able to take on the roles of torch bearer and crucifer, as well as thurifer and others where part of the congregation’s liturgies, is an important way to bring children into the heart of our worship life. Acolyte training and then the experience of worshipping in the sanctuary draw our children into the liturgical words and actions in a way not possible from the pews alone. A congregation certainly does not have to have children in order to have crucifer and torch bearers serving alongside the clergy and Lay Eucharistic Ministers. But most every congregation does have children who could take on these roles. Finding an acolyte master who can combine gentleness and firmness in training the children how they should serve with dignity and reverence is essential. But even with a talented and capable acolyte master, having children serve as acolytes provides an welcome opportunity for the clergy to directly support these young persons in this ministry.
I use this Loose Canon column to assist with Congregational Development. But developing a congregation is not all about gaining newcomers and connecting them to the congregation. That is but one small part of developing a congregation. The real work includes discipleship, where those who are part of a congregation grow more fully into being the persons God has called them to be in Christ. In this work, the ministry of acolytes is vital part of creating an opportunity for children to grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist. (At right, the Rev. Jay Weldon rehearses with acolytes prior to a Pentecost Sunday procession at St. Patrick’s, Albany.)
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In every town we are in, there are larger churches, most of which have bigger, more active programs for children and teens. But our churches are usually among the few that involve children so closely in leading the worship of the church. This is no small opportunity we offer our children and one that should be nurtured and valued. Combining an active core of acolytes with youth Sundays that challenge teens to take on even more responsibilities are ways we can live in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue
Canon for Congregational Ministries
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