cute or dangerous

good samaritan · #1 06-22-2016, 12:33 PM

I have seen a lot of videos on facebook and youtube of very small children praising the Lord in what seemed to be deep heartfelt worship. At a glance it was cuteness, but as I looked on I seen things that seemed possibly a sign of insincerity and showmanship. In one video in particular, there was a break in the child's worship to look at the camera. It struck me that this was more for attention.

We should teach our children to worship, but we should emphasize sincerity before God. I have even seen specially made pulpits for young children in order for them to play preacher before the assembly, usually pk's. It is cute as all get out, but I don't like what I feel by it. We are all called for the ministry that God has chosen for us and we aren't picked because of our parents. I fear that for many the church has lost it focus and objective. IMO. NO offense meant.

aegsm76 · #2 06-22-2016, 01:53 PM

Good post.
I have seen many children who were put up in public because they had a "gift" of speaking or singing.
I cannot think of one of them that is still in the church.
Most fall into abject sin.
There should be a calling and a respect for the things of God.
Now, with that said, Bro Raul Alvear was called to preach and started pastoring a church at a very early age, 11-13 I believe.
The difference is that he was called by God, whereas others had a natural talent.

KeptByTheWord · #3 06-22-2016, 07:12 PM

Children are natural imitators of what they see their parents and other people doing. As a child, we grew up "playing church" where we would set up chairs and play church. Nothing wrong with children imitating and playing church, much like playing dress up for cowboys and Indians.

However, taking videos of kids play and posting to facebook as if they have a gift or calling, is dangerous because instead of letting children act out naturally, it implies a gift or calling from the Lord. Not to say that some of them aren't gifted or called, but just because a child is acting out praise and worship, does not mean that they are sincere.

votivesoul · #4 06-22-2016, 11:22 PM

I think it's exploitation.

Using one's child to self-aggrandize and hope for some "viral video" of their kid isn't right. Who else filmed then uploaded the video if not the parent or someone very close to the parent?

jfrog · #5 06-23-2016, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I have seen a lot of videos on facebook and youtube of very small children praising the Lord in what seemed to be deep heartfelt worship. At a glance it was cuteness, but as I looked on I seen things that seemed possibly a sign of insincerity and showmanship. In one video in particular, there was a break in the child's worship to look at the camera. It struck me that this was more for attention.

We should teach our children to worship, but we should emphasize sincerity before God. I have even seen specially made pulpits for young children in order for them to play preacher before the assembly, usually pk's. It is cute as all get out, but I don't like what I feel by it. We are all called for the ministry that God has chosen for us and we aren't picked because of our parents. I fear that for many the church has lost it focus and objective. IMO. NO offense meant.

So what do you propose? Anytime a child acts like they are playing church we should scold them for it because they aren't sincere and are putting on a show?

jfrog · #6 06-23-2016, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Children are natural imitators of what they see their parents and other people doing. As a child, we grew up "playing church" where we would set up chairs and play church. Nothing wrong with children imitating and playing church, much like playing dress up for cowboys and Indians.

However, taking videos of kids play and posting to facebook as if they have a gift or calling, is dangerous because instead of letting children act out naturally, it implies a gift or calling from the Lord. Not to say that some of them aren't gifted or called, but just because a child is acting out praise and worship, does not mean that they are sincere.

The first paragraph was spot on. The 2nd I'm not so sure about. You are attaching a lot of extra baggage onto posting a "cute" video to social media.

jfrog · #7 06-23-2016, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I think it's exploitation.

Using one's child to self-aggrandize and hope for some "viral video" of their kid isn't right. Who else filmed then uploaded the video if not the parent or someone very close to the parent?

God forbid the parent upload an entertaining video of their child for their family to see? Can I get an AMEN?

Sister Alvear · #8 06-23-2016, 06:37 AM

Some of our children began early in the work of the Lord but we never made videos and stuff like that...I cringe when I see that kind of stuff....and I mean no harm or hurt to those who like things like that....I am just a little more serious than some...sorry....

mfblume · #9 06-23-2016, 07:55 AM

I, too mean no offence, but what will happen to such children when they grow up?

They are showcased with genuine praise and worship all around them, while they are mimicking preaching and worship. Will their minds realize as they get older that faking genuine worship is okay, and live hypocritical lives, or abandon the whole church thing altogether?

I know of a man whole while he was in his late teens could preach like a firestorm. He dabbled in drugs and drinking, and continued to preach. When he saw how the church would STILL explode in worship during his preaching, he noted to himself he had not been praying, and he had been sinning. He relegated it all to hype and manipulation. He even told another preacher he does not have to pray to see those results in church during his preaching. (red flag). And he was honest enough to step down. He thought that is all that happens in churches that worship and shout. If he could make them do that in sin, then it had to be all fake, and nothing really from God. He backslid terribly and now goes to a liturgical mainline denominational church.

I am concerned this will happen with these kids.

Esaias · #10 06-23-2016, 02:16 PM

The problem is many have confused emotion for anointing. Emotion and feeling is fine, but feelings come and go. Obedience is the true sign of a move of God, at least of the kind of move people need. If we emphasized THAT - genuine results that last a lifetime - the sensationalistic silliness would not have as near as powerful of a draw as it currently does.

jmo