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A key ceremony is
a great way to get the generations to come
together for a time of impartation and mutual
ministry. Following is the story of how they
started and how they have been used in a variety
of settings.
Backstory:
Somewhere in Texas (2005)
During a kids prayer week (like VBS) much
ground was covered and children were eager to
begin ministry in the local church, but there
was a little resistance from elders who were of
the opinion that children should be seen and not
heard. I had a large set of decorative keys with
me, but didn't have a use for them yet until
prompted by the Holy Spirit. During the final
service, it hit me like a bolt of lightening. I
should have a "passing of the keys" ceremony
between the generations. This would give a
verbal and memorable blessing to the younger
generations and feedback as well as ministry to
their elders.
So, the eldest
praying couple in the church was solicited on
the spot to pass the keys of prayer and revival
to the youngest generation. But when I saw the
looks on faces of kids in the youth group, I
quickly adjusted the plan to include them as
intermediaries; they could be blessed as well.
When the time came, the results were astounding.
The elders prayed all they had into the lives of
the youth, releasing them and endorsing them for
ministry all at the same time. Then the youth
prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for the keys.
Next, a young person prayed the keys into the
hands of a nine-year-old girl who wept for her
generation. I will never forget her prayer of
thanksgiving. Part of her prayer went like this,
"...thank you that You're going to let us kids
have these keys too. Thank you that the older
people are going to share this blessing with us.
Help us not to be selfish with these keys and
teach us to give them to the other littler kids
too..." The time of ministry that followed made
church history.
Since
then...
The kids have excelled in ministry, but the
story doesn't stop there. This concept of a "Key
Ceremony" has now been used in teacher training
seminars in Ghana and Nicaragua among
denomination head leadership to local church
teachers. It has also been used to transfer keys
from one country to another like between the US
and Bangladesh kids at a crusade. It has also
worked well in a variety of other local church
settings/congregations. The time of ministry by
those who receive the keys afterwards is
powerful!
If you're
facing an uphill battle in your local church for
ministry and prayer by children, you may want to
prayerfully consider taking the time to have a
"key ceremony" of your own in a way that would
be accepted by your people. If teachers who are
working with you feel inadequate, etc., set up a
ceremony like this with pastoral staff. There is
something special released when we bless others
by sharing responsibility for the harvest.
I'm convinced
that the keys of prayer and revival belong
in the hands of all believers. |
