Children’s Agency in Worship

Abstract

Children help create and shape their social worlds, including that of worship. This article explores how children negotiate and appropriate worship practices and incorporate their own values, understandings and creative ideas into their worship. This analysis of children’s agency relies on qualitative data drawn from direct observation of Dutch Protestant worship services designed for and/or attended by children. Recognising that children have agency in worship encourages practitioners and practical theologians to identify how children already help shape the worship they take part in and enhance opportunities to strengthen their agency and influence.