In most churches, there is a moment in the service when the young people are invited to join their groups, often introduced with phrases like, “Our young people now leave us for their groups.”

What is the spiritual impact on the congregation when children and youth depart for their groups near the beginning of a service?

The language of departure or separation in worship weighs heavily on my heart.

Is it necessary to use language that emphasises separation when, in reality, the children and youth are simply continuing their worship and spiritual formation in a different setting?

Furthermore, why are the adults who remain in the main church building typically the ones who remain in worship and teaching?

Maybe this is a linguistic or simple semantic convention, but maybe it is not.

Language shapes belonging

However, on one occasion, I rephrased it to emphasise our ongoing participation in the body of Christ and the diversity of gifts within the Church:

“It is now time for us to continue worshipping and teaching in our different groups. Kids’ Zone will meet in the church hall. Youth Fellowship will meet in the cabin. And anyone else is invited to stay here as we all continue to learn and grow in faith.”

The reaction to such a linguistic change within the liturgical context was far more pronounced than I had anticipated.

A select few from the congregation laughed, as if I had made a joke rather than a theologically nuanced statement.

Perhaps it was because my phrasing differed somewhat from the usual announcement that it might have been seen as a lighter, more casual way to introduce this part of the service.

Hidden hierarchies in worship

Yet on deeper reflection, the language we use in worship may carry more profound theological and spiritual implications for how we perceive ministries like Sunday School and the unspoken hierarchies within our church life.

Should not young people experience their gatherings as equally worshipful and essential to the body of Christ as the adults who “remain” in the church building?

Is there not a spiritual imperative to affirm every act and space of worship as equally bearing the presence of God and the unity of the Church?

Children as full participants

The spiritual formation of young people is profoundly significant — every bit as crucial, if not more so, than that of adults who have given their lives to Christ.

The way we speak about children and faith can gently affirm that they are full and equal participants in the Gospel.

In Christ’s Church, there is no hierarchy determined by age.

Rather than hindering the participation of children and young people, we are invited to nurture a community where every member recognises that we are not separate but united in our discipleship and worship, even when this is expressed in different contexts.

• Andrew Brooking is a final year ordinand in the Church of Ireland. He writes from the setting of the “internship,” which requires candidates to serve in parishes under the direction of the parish priest.