Let the Children Lead
When Dr. Nelson Cowan was asked to write a book about engaging children in church worship services, he initially declined. “I think you’ve got the wrong person. I have no formal background in children’s ministry, and I was never a youth pastor.” But when he heard that the publisher wanted him to focus on pastors and congregational leaders, he agreed. That was an audience to whom he could speak.
Dr. Cowan, a PhD in Liturgical Studies (Boston University) and former United Methodist lead pastor, now directs the Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University. Aware of his limitations in children’s ministry, he sought to highlight local congregations that are faithfully engaging children in intergenerational worship.
Let the Children Lead’s congregational rootedness adds to its helpfulness, because it serves not primarily as a book on theory, nor only as a guide for children’s pastors; this is a book written for pastors, church leaders, and congregations poised to start conversations and try new ways to engage children more fully in worship. It is accessible, applicable, and (essentially) a reflection of real-life congregational experiences.
Why Children in Worship Matter
Dr. Cowan often refers to the "three B's": Belong, Behave, Believe. When children see that they are wanted—not just by their peers but by all generations—they feel that they belong in that community and consequently start taking on the behaviors of that community. These behaviors shape their beliefs over time.
Five Models for Engagement
Drawing on interviews with churches that are leaders in intergenerational worship, Dr. Cowan identifies five key practices for increasing children’s inclusion in worship services.
Praygrounds: Kid-friendly zones in the sanctuary with child furniture, soft toys, or sensory-sensitive elements. This shows children they are welcome and valued.
Sensory-sensitive worship practices: Adjustments for the 1 in 4 children with sensory needs. This may include modifications to lighting, sound, or seating, as well as fidgets, a sensory room, or a printed service schedule. These adjustments help all people participate in worship services.
Outreach-oriented experiences: Programs like Messy Church that engage children and families from the local community. These enable churches to serve kids who might not attend on Sundays.
School partnerships in the arts: Building relationships with preschool or public school children through arts and music. This creates opportunities for ongoing dialogue and collaboration with children.
Children in worship leadership: Inviting children to help plan worship, lead songs, or even create original music. This unlocks all the gifts, passions, and perspectives of your congregation.
Shifting the Responsibility
Many readers’ first impulse is to hand this book to their children’s pastor. But Dr. Cowan suggests that instinct points to a deeper issue: “It's as if we believe that children are the work of specialists, when in reality, it's all of our jobs to empower children to lead.” He notes that none of the churches he studied experienced real change without the active support of senior pastors and the wider congregation.
Moving Forward
“I’ve been that person who excluded children in pursuit of excellence," says Dr. Cowan. But he posits that (for congregations) excellence conforms with the example of Jesus, who left the 99 to go after the one. Dr. Cowan encourages leaders to start small—to experiment for a month and evaluate, or to dedicate a summer to testing something new.
This book's greatest gift is that it opens, rather than closes, the conversation. Here are some conversation starters for church and lay leaders:
What does it look like to view children as indispensable members of the worshiping body?
In what ways do we elevate excellence over engagement in our worship services?
Which models suit your context, and which challenge your assumptions?
How do we resist efficiency-driven pragmatism in favor of long-term formation?
Beyond just a tactical conversation, this is a call to align our worship practices with Jesus’ own invitation: “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:14, NRSV)
Dr. Cowan’s research on children and the church is made possible through a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. as part of its Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative.
Let the Children Lead brings to life the initiative’s call for congregational practices that nurture children’s belonging, empower their meaningful participation in worship, and invite them into leadership. It aligns with the initiative’s priorities for intergenerational worship, active engagement in prayer, and the incorporation of the arts and sensory-rich practices that deepen children’s faith.
Let the Children Lead is available for purchase on Amazon or Cokesbury. In addition, Dr. Cowan and his team are leading the Young People and Christian Worship Project and collaborating with Anchor Hymns and Every Moment Holy on an upcoming album for everyday worship moments.
