We appreciate your desire to have the entire congregation involved, even/especially the little ones. We underestimate the value and importance of the kind of "ownership" that participation provides. One of us just finished a stint as an interim pastor and the kids in the congregation were incredibly bright, articulate and thoughtful. So, you're on the right track! (And if you're the only one who's there, keep talking about it.)

If you're doing fundraising, there's always places for the children to work. You can probably think of several: have the children contribute toys to the yard sale, let them help make baked goods, help them hold a car wash. Just make sure that you recognize and reward their contribution, along with everyone elses'.

If you're still talking with architects, have them come and spend a few minutes with the children and explain the diagrams, blueprints, and drawings to them. Let them ask questions. Make a xerox of the prints and post them in the children's area. You haven't said whether or not you're dealing with educational space as well as worship space, but if you are, label the areas for the children clearly. Some of the larger business supply stores have xerox machines that can reduce a blueprint from 2 x 3 feet to 11 x 18 inches. ( It costs a few dollars, but we do it all the time.)

In terms of teaching, you can tie your building project in with some of the stories about the construction of the Tabernacle in the OT, especially the parts about the people all contributing offerings and how God gave special gifts to some of them so they could do the work. A few years ago, Smyth & Helwys (Baptist publishers out of Atlanta) did a Bible School around the construction theme. You could borrow the idea and talk about how God is the ultimate "builder" and tie it in with all kinds of ideas: creation, spiritual growth, the body of Christ, etc. This is a golden opportunity to teach--use it!

When you get to the ground breaking, let the children turn over a shovel full, too. One of the churches in our area outlined the foundation on the ground and the entire congregation stood around the line and everybody helped break the ground, not just a few token representatives.

During construction, you can have a hard hat labeled with each child's name. You can get these from a toy store. Have the children put the hats on and visit the site on a regular basis. (Make sure there is plenty of adult supervision for this.) If the congregation is doing the work, let the children help. They can hand people tools, fetch supplies, and should have the opportunity to try the hammer and nails. Let them write their names on the studs before the insulation and dry wall is put up.

If you're doing education space, let the children have a hand in choosing the furnishings and colors for their area. Adults can make the initial selections, and then offer the kids a couple of choices. But their decisions must be honored, of course--if you're not prepared to do that, don't ask!

When it comes to the dedication, let the children have a part in the liturgy. They could read a scripture passage, lead a litany, or do a prayer.

We think you're on the right track wanting to include the children; our advice is "milk it for all its worth." Most churches don't have many opportunities like this and they need to be cherished. You're constructing not only a building, you're also building lives. The memories will last a life time and your church--and Christ-will be the winner.

God bless you as you build both your new building and the Body of Jesus Christ!