Our children dream

1
Our children dream

• a summary of Childrens Forum debates about the
  church they will be part of in their lifetime

2
The Church Building
Our Children Dream..
.on the outside.

• Many wanted complete change
• Transparent walls could have lovely scenery or
  other images projected on to it
• Lots of glass a big glass ball
• Atmospheric lighting

futuristic
colourful
3
The Church Building
Our Children Dream..
.on the outside.
modern

• And more ideas for change
• Use a school or community centre
• Baptismal bath would flip up
• from the floor
• Or instead of a building at all
• Interactive services on computer
• instead

shiny
4
The Church Building
Our Children Dream..
.on the outside.
old

• But some wanted it to stay the same
• With a steeple and stained glass windows
• But with more flowers and gardens
• it would make it more ours
• Our church is gothic in style and I love it

normal
5
The Church Building
Our Children Dream..
.on the inside.
blinds
warmer

• Everyone wanted lots of change
• Comfort was important to all
• But communion table and baptismal font
• will still be
  central
• Better for the disabled
• It will be modern and people will feel
• safe and happy.

carpets
6
The Church Building
Our Children Dream..
.on the inside.
comfy seats

• More ideas
• Moveable pews and modern furniture
• Up-to-date equipment
• (smart boards, computers, music presentation)
• Café open every day
• It would be good if it looked like an
  auditorium

cushions
Bible story murals
7
What About Worship?
Our Children Dream..
.more technology.
lighter

• Techno Church would have
• Worship from home via the internet
• Virtual headsets, laptops
  
• (to access prayers and readings etc)
• Video presentations
  
• (to make stories more real)
• Computer games on Biblical
• themes

brighter
8
What About Worship?
Our Children Dream..
prayer
.general comments.
Bible reading

• Worship should have
• Children taking much more part
• More variety in format
  
• (J K Rowling could be invited to be a
  guest)
• More schools coming to worship
• in our church
• More services on Sundays
• (and on weekday evenings)

praise
9
What About Worship?
Our Children Dream..
.general comments.
listening

• Worship should be
• Not too different
• Later in the day
• Easy to understand
• Interesting

Communion
10
What About Worship?
Our Children Dream..
.lots to say about music.

• Why cant we have
• More lively, upbeat songs
• (never sing Blessed Be the Name of the Lord
  again!)
• Gospel choirs
• Christian rock bands
• Children providing the music

11
What About Worship?
Our Children Dream..
.but still on music.

• A sizable minority would like
• Not too much change
• Songs from other books
  
• Quieter guitar
• And for one lone voice..
• it would not need a minister and
• piano player and no singing!

12
Who Will Lead Worship?
Our Children Dream..

• Almost everyone wanted variety
• Different people sharing skills
• (Anyone could be involved)
• Christians in the community
• eg Sports Church - local PE or RE teachers/
• 
  sports people
• Children or children/parents organising
• and leading worship

13
Who Will Lead Worship?
Our Children Dream..

• but most also wanted
• A minister to co-ordinate the worship
• a cool minister
• or a member of the public who really
• believes in
  God
• and yet again
• a computer

14
What Else Happens?
Our Children Dream..

• There should be
• A balance between worship and
• other
  activities
• Visits by schools to see an exciting,
• appealing and welcoming church
  
• The church should be..
• Used every day for helping people
• (People can chill out any time of the week)

15
What Else Happens?
Our Children Dream..

• Organisations should go on as they are
• But with more focus on fellowship for
• church and community together
  
• Some suggestions.

• Sports halls
• Church pets
• Swimming pool
• Skateboard park
• More trips

• Family ceilidhs
• Entertainment centres
• Art and photo galleries
• Drama and film clubs
• Music lessons

.our children think big.
16
The Wider World
Our Children Dream..
How do we show Gods love?

• Many not sure about this one
• (Who knows? It depends on the message
• the church gives out.)
• But there were also loads of ideas

• TV adverts/the internet
• Use Fairtrade products
• Maybe with missionaries
• Having a logo
• Wristbands

• Supporting people
• Meetings and rallies
• Local Church shops
• Giving out leaflets
• Sponsoring a child

By still worshipping Him
17
Our children dream

• With thanks to the children from all over
  Scotland who contributed to this discussion.
• The talkings over -
• now for the action!

18
Our children dream

• There was also an art competition
• on the same theme.
• Here are two of the many entries the winner
  and one of the other highly commended entries.
  Others in this category are on display till the
  end of June
• in the foyer of Edinburgh Zoo.
• They are well worth a look!

19
Winner Luke Griffiths aged 9
20
Highly commended Sarah Forrester aged 9