Sumasamba Ka Ba Talaga?

by Elijah Abanto

Noong ikatlong anibersaryo ng Capitol Bible Baptist Church, ay ipinangaral ng isang panauhing beteranong pastor ang kahalagahan ng pagsamba sa Diyos. Biblikal ang kanyang pagtingin sa kahalagahan nito at kakulangan nito sa karamihan ng mga Baptist na iglesiya.

At ilang lingo lamang pagkatapos nito, ay may isang beteranong misyonero naman ang nagsabi na karamihan sa mga iglesiyang Baptist ay hindi talaga sumasamba sa Diyos dahil hindi pangsamba ang mga inaawit natin sa himnaryo, kundi mga patotoo lamang at pang-ebanghelismo.

Sa parehong pagkakataong ito ay hindi naging malinaw kung ano ba ang tinatawag na pagsamba o worship. At nang ako’y nag-imbestiga, aking nakita na sa kabuuan, ay maraming nagkukulang sa aspetong ito. Maaaring isa ka sa mga iyon.

Si Donald S. Whitney, isang Baptist na awtor ng aklat na Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (NavPress), ay nagbahagi ng kanyang karanasan noong ikasumpung kaarawan niya. Masaya na sana ang kanyang kaarawan, dahil maraming handa, regalo; naroon din lahat ng kanyang pamilya at kaibigan. Ngunit nang sila’y manood na ng baseball, iniwanan siyang lahat ng mga ito at nag-iisa na lamang siya habang nanonood. “Ipinapaala sa akin nito,” sabi niya kaugnay ng kwento, “ang paraan kung paano natin tratuhin ang Diyos sa pagsamba. Bagaman dumadalo tayo sa isang okasyon kung saan Siya ang Panauhing Pandangal, posible na Siya’y bigyan natin ng nakasanayan nang paghahandog, umawit ng kaunting mga alam na nating kanta sa Kanya, at pagkatapos ay lubusan na natin Siyang makalimutan habang tayo’y nakatuon sa ibang tao at nakikisaya sa pagganap ng mga taong nasa harapan natin” (Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, p. 86, translated). At pagkatapos nito, sabi pa niya, ay tingin natin ay nagawa natin nang tama ang ating obligasyon na Siya’y sambahin. Ngunit hindi pala.

Ayon sa Encarta® World English Dictionary, ang salitang worship ay nagmula sa Matandang Ingles na salitang weortscipe, o worthship, na ang ibig-sabihin ay “condition of worth” o kahalagahan. Ito ay sang-ayon sa mga talatang mababasa natin sa Biblia na nagsasalaysay ng mga eksena ng pagsamba sa Diyos tulad ng mababasa natin sa mga talatang ito: ; 5:12-13:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. —Revelation 4:11

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. —Revelation 5:12-13

Pagbibigay ng karapat-dapat na pagpapahalaga sa Diyos—yan ang isang kahulugan ng pagsamba.

Sa Webster’s Seventh-New Collegiate Dictionary, ang pagsamba ay nangangahulugang “paggalang o pagpitagan sa isang dibinong persona [tulad ng Diyos]” (p. 1031, translated). Ang “paggalang o pagpitagan” ay isang gawaing hindi nagsisimula sa labas paloob, kundi mula sa loob palabas. Bago ka sumagot sa iyong magulang nang pabalang ay nasa puso mo muna ang hindi paggalang. Bago mo matapat at mahigpit na yakapin ang iyong asawa o anak o kaibigan ay mayroon munang pag-ibig na nasa iyong puso. Ganoon din sa Diyos.

At mula sa panloob nating nararamdaman ay hindi natin mapigilan na tumugon at ituon ang atensyon sa Kanya. Pag nakikita mo ang magandang paglubog ng araw, o tinig ng mga ibon, ay maiisip mo ang kadakilaan ng Lumikha at mula sa puso mo ay mapapaluhod ka, o maiiyak, o mapapa-awit, o makakapagbigkas ka ng pasasalamat sa Kanya. Iyon ang pinaka-ibig-sabihin ng pagsamba: “ang pagtutuon ng atensyon at pagtugon sa Diyos” (Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, p. 87). Basahin mo ang dalawang siping ito mula sa Biblia ng mga halimbawa ng pagsamba:

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. —John 20:28

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

—Revelation 4:8

Makikita mo rin na sa maraming pagkakataon ang mga pinagaling ni Jesus ay lumuhod at sumamba sa harapan Niya:

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.—Matthew 8:2

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.—Matthew 8:2

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.—Matthew 15:25

Mula doon ay masasabi natin na hindi totoo ang sinabi ng misyonero na hindi talaga tayo sumasamba sa Diyos kung hindi pang-worship ang kinakanta natin. Mali din ang aplikasyon ng iba na masasamba mo lamang ang Diyos kung magpe-praise and worship style tayo. Paano ang pipe na hindi man lang makapagsalita? Paano ang mga lumpo at paralisado na hindi makatalon o maitaas ang kamay tulad ng ginagawa ng mga Pentecostal? Ang pagsamba ay higit pa sa pagkanta ng worship song o pagtalon o pagtaas ng kamay na sinasabi nila.

Dadalhin tayo sa pagsamba sa Diyos ng mga pagpapahayag Niyang ito: sa pamamagitan ng (1) sangnilikha o Creation (Roma 1:20); (2) Kanyang isinulat na Salita, ang Biblia (2 Timoteo 3:16; 2 Pedro 1:20-21); at ng (3) Buhay na Salita, si Jesu-Kristo (Juan 1:1, 14; Hebreo 1:1-2).

Hindi lamang pag-awit ang ekspresyon ng pagsamba. Maaaring ikaw ay sumasamba sa Diyos kahit sa pagbabasa mo lamang ng Biblia; pakikinig ng pararangal; pananalangin at pakikinig sa pananalangin; maging ang pagsunod sa Kanya at anupamang bagay na ginagawa sa ngalan Niya, ay maaari yung maging pagsamba. Ngunit higit pa rito, ang pagsamba ay yung punung-puno ang iyong isip at puso ng tungkol sa Diyos na hindi mo na maisip na gumawa ng anupamang bagay. Yun ang pagsamba.

Ngunit, tulad ng aking nasabi, marami sa mga iglesiya, at sa palagay ko’y karamihan sa mga iglesiyang Baptist, ay hindi talaga sumasamba sa Diyos—pangunahin na rito ang mga manggagawa. Hindi porke na isa ka sa mga pinaka-abala sa worship service ay ikaw na ang pinakasumasamba sa Diyos. Madalas ay kabaligtaran.

Nakita ko ang katotohanang ito sa aming mga estudyante sa Bible school. Tandaan na kadalasan ng mga nag-aaral sa Bible school ay mga manggagawa na kani-kaniyang iglesiya. Tuwing kami’y magde-devotion sa umaga o chapel hour sa tanghali ay kita mo ang kawalang sinseridad sa ginagawa ang mga estudyante rito—minsan ay kabilang ako. Makikita mo na dinidiktahan ang nagpapakanta o nangungunang mag-aaral, niloloko o pinagtatawanan ang mensahe o patotoo, nagkikwentuhan ang mga estudyante, at walang paki-elam sa kaayusan ang mga ito. Ang nakikita kong pinaka-sinsero sa ginagawa niya tuwing ganitong oras ay yung isang 1st year student na anim na buwan pa lamang sa Baptist church na kanyang kinabibilangan at galing pa sa Pentecostal. Wala, ayaw-na-ayaw mag-special number, kung aawit man, ay hindi talaga pinaghandaan.

Pag-uwi sa iglesiya, may makikita kang palingon-lingon na ina habang nananalangin; mga kabataang nakikipagdaldalan habang preaching o choir number; mga batang kumakain ng sitsirya habang nagpi-preach ang pastor; mga taong akyat-baba dahil “nasi-C.R.” Ang mga workers naman ay abala sa pagpigil ng ingay, pagkuha ng bilang, pagpapa-fill-up ng visitor’s slip, at pagtatanong kung ano na ang susunod sa “worship” programme. Aawit lang kung kailan naisip, magbabasa kapag sinipag, at ipipikit ang mata kapag ginusto lang. Hindi nga nakikipagdaldalan, ngunit hindi naman iniisip ang ipinapangaral ng pastor. Nakapikit nga ang mata, ngunit sa totoo lang ay pagkain sa tanghalian ang umiikot sa utak. Marami din ang natutulog. Umaawit nga, wala naman sa puso ang kinakanta. Nagbibigay nga, ngunit parang gawa lamang ng responsibilidad. Aktibo nga sa iglesiya, ngunit ang buhay ay hindi tama sa harap ng Diyos. Mga kapatid, hindi ito pagsamba. Ito’y pagpapahiya sa Diyos. Ang Panauhing Pandangal ay gusto na lamang sigurong umalis dahil parang wala naman ang tinatawag na pagsamba. Alalahanin, ang pagsamba ay mula sa loob palabas.

Maraming mga Kristiano na para nang mga Fariseo, na sinasabihan ni Jesus, “Pinaparangalan ako ng mga taong ito ng kanilang mga labi, ngunit ang kanilang puso ay malayo sa Akin. Sinasamba nila Ako nang walang kabuluhan” (Mateo 15:8-9). Ang tawag dito ay ka-ipokritohan.

Ang pagsamba sa Diyos ay pagsamba sa Kanya “sa ispiritu at katotohanan” (Juan 4:24). Sa ispiritu, o sa loob, at sa katotohanan, o sa panlabas. Ganoon ang tunay na pagsamba. Hindi na kailangan at hindi na dapat mang-hiram pa ng musikang hindi sang-ayon sa Diyos para masabing sumasamba ka. Hindi kailangan ng pagtalon at pagtaas ng kamay para masabing sumasamba ka. Ang kailangan ay pagtuon ng atensyon at pagtugon sa kung sino Siya.

Sumasamba ba tayo? Alam na natin ang tunay na pagsamba. Totohanin na kaya natin ngayon? bdj

Ang article na ay isang nerebisa na bersyon ng orihinal na isinulat ni Elijah Abanto, “Sumasamba Ba Tayo? Isang Imbestigasyon Tungkol sa Tunay na Pagsamba sa Diyos.” Unang nilathala sa BDJ, Volume 2, Issue 49 (August 9, 2009). 

If you want to avail a free copy of this BDJ Volume 3, Issue 40, just post a comment on this article.

Are We Worshiping?

by Bro. Elijah E. Abanto

Only this last December 2008, on the third anniversary of our church, we heard a veteran pastor preached about the importance of worship to God. Although this person was wrong in the application of this concept (his reasons to adopt the "praise and worship" style and speaking in tongues), his view about its importance and its lack in most of the Baptist churches is biblical and true.

And only in the past few weeks, a veteran missionary said that many of the Baptist churches are not really worshiping God because the songs we sing in the hymn are not for worship, but only testimonies and evangelistic songs.

And in these two it has not become clear what is the real meaning behind the word worship. And when I investigated, I saw that in general, we are wanting in this aspect.

Donald S. Whitney, a Baptist who authored the book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (NavPress), has shared his experience on his tenth birthday. His birthday must have been happy, because there was much food, and gifts; also, all his family and friends were there. But as they watched baseball in the Superbowl, all of them left him and he was now alone while watching. "It reminds me," he said in relation to the story, "of how we treat God in worship. Though we come to an event where He is the Guest of Honor, it is possible to give Him a routine gift, singing a few customary songs to him, and then totally neglect Him while we focus on others and enjoy the performance of those who are in front of us"(Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, p. 86). And yet, after it, is we think that we have done our obligation correctly to worship Him. But not really.

According to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, the word worship is derived from the Old English word weortscipe, or worthship, the means the "condition of worth" or importance. This agrees to the passages we could read from the Bible that narrates certain scenes of worship to God like Revelation 4:11; 5:12-13. Providing worthy regard on God-that's one meaning of worship.

In the Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, worship means "respect or reverence tp a divine person [as God]" (p. 1031). The respect or reverence "is a work not starting from the outside inwards, but from the inside out. Before you respond to your parents disrespectfully disrespect must be already in your heart first. Before you really and lovingly hug your spouse or child or friend there must be true love in your heart first. It's the same with God.

And from what we feel inside we cannot but respond and focus our attention towards Him. When you see the beautiful sunset, or the voices of birds, you can think of the greatness of the Creator and from your heart you will fall on your knees, or cry, or sing, or say thanks to Him. That the very meaning of worship: "to focus and respond to God" (Whitney, Spiritual disciplines, p. 87). Read these two passages from the Bible for examples of worship: John 20:28; Revelation 4:8. Notice also that in many cases those whom Jesus healed would "kneel down and worship before him."

From there we can say that what the missionary said was not true that we do not worship God if we don't sing "worship" songs. The application also of the veteran pastor is also wrong that we can only worship God if we do the "praise and worship" style. How about the dumb who can not even speak? How about the maimed and paralyzed who cannot jump or raise hands as do Pentecostals? Worship is more than singing a worship song or jump or raising hands that they are telling.

God's revelations of Himself to us bring us to worship God, which includes (1) the Creation (Romans 1:20); (2) His written Word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20 -21); and (3) the Living Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:1-2).

Singing is not only the expression of worship. You may worship God even by just reading the Bible; listening to preaching; praying and listening to prayer; even following him and anything we in His name, may become worship. But more than these, worship is when we become preoccupied with God that we cannot think of other things. That's worship.

But, like I said, there are many in our church, and I think also in the majority of Baptist churches, who do not really worship God--notably the very workers. It does not mean that if you are the busiest in the worship service you are the one who worships God most. Often the opposite.

I saw this fact in our Bible school students. (Note that I'm not against the School; worship is a personal issue.) Note that most often the students who study in the Bible school are workers of the church. Every time we have devotion in the morning or at noon Chapel hour you will see the insincerity of the students--including me sometimes. You can see that they are dictating to the song leader or the leading student, making fun of or laughing at the message or testimony, the students are chatting, and not concerned about the order. The one I see to be the most sincere in what he does is this 1st year student who is only about six months in the Baptist church and he comes from the Pentecostal faith.

Returning to the church, you will see a mother looking around while the congregation prays; children chatting while the pastor preaches or the choir sings; children eating junk foods while the message is preached; people going up-and-down because they need to go to the "CR." The the workers were busy preventing a noise, taking the attendance, filling up the visitor's slip, and asking what is next in the "worship" program. They sing only when they remember to sing, read when they like to and close their eyes when they prefer to. Yes, they are not chatting, but they are not also thinking of the pastor's message. Their eyes are closed, but in fact what they will eat by lunch is what they are "praying." Many are also sleeping. They are singing, but not from the heart. They give, but only because of responsibility. They are active in the church, but they lives are not right before God. Brethren, that's not worship. It's shaming God. The Guest of Honor must have been wanting to leave because there's really no worship. Remember, worship is from the inside out.

We become like the Pharisees, to whom Jesus has said, "This people... honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. ... in vain do they worship me"(Matthew 15:8-9). It's called hypocrisy.

Worshiping God is worshiping Him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). In spirit, or within, and in truth, or without. That's true worship. It's not necessary and we should not adopt music that does not in accordance to God to say you are worshiping. You need not jump at raise hands to say that you are worshiping. What is needed is our focus of attention and responding to who He is.

Are we worshiping? We know now what is true worship. Can we make it true this time?

A Manifesto of Issues and Concerns Among Bible Baptist Churches in the Philippine Islands

A SPECIAL EDITION ARTICLE SERIES
by Pastor Archie Alvarez
Bible Baptist Mission of Imus, Cavite
(PART 1)

In the recent past some Baptist churches in the Philippines started adopting odd practices and became open to modern type of worship. We cannot but raise our silence over some of the issues surrounding Baptist circles today not only in the Philippines but also on other parts of the world.

Article 1

Should Christian Churches Use Drums in Their Worship?

While it is true that drums are just like any other musical instruments available in the music world, we need to examine very extensively some precautions and truth about this controversial instrument as whether to use it or not to use it in a Christian worship.

It is never my intention to malign or degrade anybody who maybe "PRO" in this subject matter but to shed light and present facts of History and Biblical credence not based on logic and personal opinion or feelings. I suggest that we rule out any prejudice for a while and take into serious consideration the things that are about to be unveiled.

FACTS

Since DRUMS, DANCE and WORSHIP are somewhat intertwined, we will have no recourse but to draw out Biblical and historical facts so as to establish the truth concerning the subject. Let me present you five FACTS.

#1

The tambourine or timbrel (sometimes referred to as tabret) in the Bible is not the same "drum" instrument used in a Rock music and some Christian Churches Today who are adherents of "Drum Worship."

In desperation to prove that the same drums are used in worshipping God in the Bible, "Drum Worship" adherents quote several verses in the Bible--take a look on the following verses:

Psalm 81:2 - Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel (Toph), the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Psalm 149:3 - Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Exodus 15:20 - And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Psalm 68:25 - The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

1 Samuel 18:6 - And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets (Toph), with joy, and with instruments of musick.

After quoting such verses they would proceed on explaining that the Hebrew word "toph" simply means drum, but that is half-truth and I believe it is explained in that manner to prove their stand about the drum being used in worship. But let us dig deeper.

Tabret is an ancient percussion instrument which no longer exists as such. The earliest mention of it (Genesis 31:27 KJV) dates back to about 1740 BC--that's over 3700 years ago. The root word for tabret is tabor, which describes a small frame drum with one head. The word tabor is also used to describe the same frame used for embroidery, with two hoops used to keep the material taut. While the timbrel has small bells, rings, or metal discs attached to the frame to make a jingling noise, most sources agree that the tabret did not have these. As a drum, the tabret whould have been played by beating with a small drumstick, o by tapping with the hand. It is often accompanied by a pipe.

In ancient times, it appears that the tabret was used by the Israelites, though perhaps not in the Temple worship itself. (1 Chronicles 5:12; Gen. 31:27; 1 Sam. 10:5; Job 17:6; Isaiah 5:12)

The timbrel, on the other hand, is a percussion instrument which does have bells, rings, or metal discs attached to make a jingling noise when shaken or tapped with the hand. From the Hebrew root word toph, the timbrel first appears in Exodus 15 (about 1490 BC), confirming that it, too, dates back to very ancient times. Some ancient timbrels appear to have a single drum head, like the tabret, and some appear as a frame only. In either case, including jingles and streamers makes it a timbrel.

The timbrel was used for a variety of different reasons including: praise, joy, gladness, triumph or victory, singing, warfare, celebrations, processionals and welcoming. It was definitely an instrument of praise and warfare, often leading armies into battle. It was played in a multitude of different places: in the home, on the battlefield, at feasts and celebrations. (see also Job 21:12; Isaiah 30:32)

Tambourine is the modern term for timbrel ('Toph') and is sometimes referred to also as tabret (1 Samuel 18:6).

I have provided a picture below:

Now does this timbrel (toph or call it a drum) looks and is used the same way as of the drums below?

or maybe this...

Of course the obvious answer is NO.

#2

The DRUM has always been associated with paganism and the devil.

1. In Africa, drums are used in demonic rituals such as "Voodoo."

The drum beats in rock music are the same beats we can find in the rites and rituals of the African tribes. Example of this is the African colony of slaves brought to Haiti that came from the tribes of Senegalese, Bambaras, Arades, Congos, Kangas, Fons and Fulas (they were taken from the coast of West Africa in the 15th century). Their ceremonies centered upon worship of the sanke god Damballa through singing, dancing, and spirit possession. Those ancient chants and tribal stomps evoke the evil spirit, the ultimate experience was to have their bodies possessed by that demon.

It is the drum beat which fuses a number of individuals into a single body, making them move as one, as if all of these singular bodies had become linked on the thread of a single beat of pulse--sending the body into a slow, twisting wave which begins at the shoulders, then the spine, hips, and legs.

The same thing happens in a modern rock concert. The actions you would see on the audience will give us the impression that some sort of possession has occurred. The nonstop, polyrhythms pounded out on cylindrical drums in a voodoo ritual is the catalyst of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and today's heavy metal.

The drum beat keeps up a remarkable thump which very easily takes possession of the sensibilities of the worshippers. Observers say that these drums themselves are able to bring a person to a place where it is easy for the deity (Ioa) to take possession of their bodies--the defenseless person is buffeted by each stroke as the drummer sets out to beat the Ioa (god) into his head: The person cringes with each accented beat as if the drum mallet descended upon his very skull; he ricochets about the place, clutching blindly at the arms extended to support him.

2. Drums are associated with "Shamanism."

Shamanism is a primitive religion of the Ural Altaic peoples of Northern Asia, based on a belief in controlling spirits who can only be influenced by a "shaman" (a priest with magical powers over diseases or evil spirits-World Book Dictionary)

In Siberia, drums are used in shamanic rituals to heal people. It is believed that the shaman can communicate witht the spirit world THROUGH DRUMMING. (Louise Tythacott, Musical Instruments, Thomas Learning:1995, p. 37)

"The shaman was draped in leather, dancing possessed to a rhythm banged out in a DRUM... To these people, communication with the gods was synonymous with DRUMS... the body can become the conduit for a deity, a deity not necessarily the same sex as the worshiper, and DRUMS are the catalyst for the whole process. The trance of the RHYTHM then begets the hysteria, which begets that Westerners simplistically call 'possession'" (Danny Sugerman, Appetite for Destruction, pp. 181, 208).

David Tame writes in The Secret Power of Music, page 199:

"Today's drummer differs but little from the shaman in his incessant beating out of a rhythm, and likewise often enters into a form of trance while performing." (to be continued)

THE MANIFESTO OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS AMONG BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, ©2009 BY PASTOR ARCHIE ALVAREZ. Published by permission.

They Aren't Genius But...

by Bro. Elijah E. Abanto

When my father told that the children should be with their parents in the worship service by giving an example of a child from our church, a man answered and said, "That kid must be genius. And not all kids are geniuses." I could not but both smile and be sad at the same time.

I smiled because it was such a good compliment for a child. Everyone who knows that child will be happy if she was called "genius." But in my heart I was sad because that description was used to justify the separation of kids from the actual worship service. This is not a good justification to the practice of separating children from young people and adults. Anyone who thinks will say that this man did not think what he said.

But I cannot point a finger to those who think like this man. It is because first and foremost, The first generation of believers and members of the church were grown-ups--meaning, they were saved as adults or in teens. And because of this, they are more familiar how to treat their own age, because they could understand them better. On the other hand, the fruit of this situation is that they do not know how to treat the children in the church. They were not children when they were drawn to church; they don't know what to do if this happens and that happens. So the method they derive into to remove the disorder the children make in the worship is to do what was done to them before they were saved--in other words, when they were just children--to be separated from adults. Or, they depend upon the child psychologists or experts for knowledge on how to cope with them. And in the beginning, it seems plausible enough, no problem--because really, the nuisance will be eliminated--they can worship God without "disturbance." But when the time comes we become perplexed, "Why did they become like that?"

But, with honest humility, I can say (through God's grace) that I know more on how to treat the children in the church--because I grew up in the church, in the pastor's family. I was saved as a child, I was baptized as a child--and here am I, by the grace of God, standing for and serving Jesus with all my heart and mind.

Did I have to be a genius in order to behave properly in the service, to listen, to take notes, and say, "Amen"? No. Children know and do as they learn. I learned to worship because I was raised to worship with my family in the church. I learned to read my Bible and pray because I was raised reading it, and not just listening to a Bible story in Sunday school and pray simple "Dear Lord Jesus" prayers. I was taught, that's why. I learned theology even though I was a child back then. I just needed to be saved to understand. And taught. I was never separated from them. Thank you, Daddy and Mommy. You always include me. Isn't it beautiful?

A child doesn't need to be a genius to be included in the service or serve the Lord. To encourage you, here are some examples from our church:

• Joshua, when he was just a baby, could be silenced while in the service by command of the pastor. Jemima, who was barely two years old, has just sang the whole "Jesus Loves Me" in the church as a special number.
• Daniel Joseph (also barely two years old) will always say "Amen" at the important points of our pastor's preaching. Also, other kids same age as he close their eyes while praying.
• Justin (who has just turned 7) know how to sing complicated hymns with just reading the words in the song book, like "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Make Me A Blessing" with no mistakes. The kids in our church love hymns just as choruses.
• In our church kids 3 years old are joining the visitation, and giving out tracts. Examples: Jhona (4) and Joshua (3). Many of our children ages 12 below know the 13 points of witnessing (Operation Go), and actually, two have done it in the field: John Mark (12) and Jisilyn (10). The only reason why the others can't do it in actual was because they are shy.
• Kids are included in the Bible quiz with the older ones! And they score!
• By the way, all these kids are behaved in the worship service. We have approximately 40 children in our service, members and non-members.

That and many other examples can prove that. That starts in how these people look at these little ones: the pastor, the parents, the members. They barely know doctrine, but they can be taught. They barely know issues, but they can be taught. They are naturally disorderly, but theycan be ordered, if they are taught and trained. We need to just teach them!