At a meeting in 2025 with children’s leaders from other churches, we were discussing Good Friday services, and someone asked: ‘What do we do with the children?’ as if the children were a problem to solve. I resolved to put children at the centre of our Good Friday service.
I met with some of our teenagers and read through the Good Friday account, asking them how different parts of the story made them feel. I used their responses to write a series of monologues based around children Jesus had met during his ministry. How did they feel and react as if they had witnessed the events themselves. I had several volunteers aged seven to fifteen who were willing to read these parts, to read the gospel accounts and to introduce the service. The only role that adults had was as musicians leading the hymns and songs.
Over the last four years we have been developing regular intergenerational services and the congregation have been amazed at the contributions our youngsters have made in these services. We have encouraged them to take a more active role in many other significant services. In our carol service they had key roles in drama and readings and joined our musicians to sing. Again, on Good Friday they led the service entirely themselves.
The congregation has responded with joy and delight. The youngsters have played their parts with thoughtfulness and respect. Visitors to these services have been amazed at the responsibility and maturity they have shown. It has helped draw the whole church closer together and grow in unity.
Bob Chappell, Bar Hill Church