Journal of Christian Education & Information Technology 2008. Vol. 14 25 Mischief or Mayhem? A Theology of Childhood Misdeeds and the Church Dean G. Blevins Nazarene Theological Seminary ABSTRACT The place of children in worship, and other aspects of congregational life, appears to have diminished in recent generations due in part to perceived childish distractions, often demeaned as mischief. However, children’s workers might perceive child mischief as a theological or “saintly” gift, embodied in play theory and ritual practice, whereby children playfully challenge adult boundaries so that new aspects of the Kingdom of God might be revealed in the church. Ministers might argue for the presence of children in the life of the congregation as necessary not only for children but also for the sake of adults. Keywords: Children, Worship, Mischief, Playful Saints, Ritual Practice, Children in Church Introduction We sat in a service of Word and Table, a liturgical service in an otherwise Evangelical setting, as I observed a five-year old boy occupy himself…and his mother… through various antics that appeared to be mischievous play. The young boy descended under the pew in front of him. Mother, intent upon the service but with one eye fixed steadily on the boy, communicated through body language a clear “no” to whatever the young child had in mind. I mused how many possible revolutions the child could roll under the pews before encountering a gateway of adult legs. It was a sparse gathering that morning, so our adventurer stood the chance of making a good distance before mom could intercede. Actually he might beat us all to the altar. With impish grin the boy lingered under the pew