February 2, 2016

Let the Children Lead

Jesus is still encouraging us to let the children come to him, not least because they can explain the new features of an iPhone.

The Church as a whole has a mixed record when it comes to fully embracing children as equal participants in the body of Christ. We value them, sure. We love them and revel in the sweet voices of the children’s choir or their first tentative attempts at crucifer. But we’re sometimes reluctant to entrust them with significant or complicated projects.

Enter Jack Whittaker, a fourteen-year-old from California. He approached Forward Movement late last year with the idea of programming a mobile app for Lent. We took a chance.

Apple approved the app last week, and it’s live and ready for your Lenten devotion. The app, Journey Through Lent 2016, brings Forward Movement’s popular Join the Journey Through Lent daily coloring calendar to the digital world. The app provides daily images and reflections illustrated by award-winning cartoonist Jay Sidebotham, offered alongside daily Eucharistic gospel readings, a space for journaling, and the option to add color and share your images.

It’s not perfect (which app is?). There are features we’d like to add in the next iteration (watch for the Advent app!). But it’s a fun and compelling companion for Lent offered through the imagination and talent of a young, Episcopal teen.

Had we not known his age going in, we would never have guessed that we weren’t dealing with a full-fledged and seasoned professional. Jack's leadership of the project was impressive, taking ownership in the development, pushing back when he needed more, and devising creative solutions to our hare-brained ideas. (Last-minute request: Can we make it so people can color the cartoons on their phones or tablets? Jack’s response: Let me check. And sure.)

The experience was a great lesson for us and perhaps for the wider church. Talents and gifts can be found at all ages, from all people. We just need to be intentional about inviting everyone to the table to use and share them.

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