Poll
I was reading an article today about child care and church. What do you think? Should children be a part of the "service"? At what age and for what amount of time? The whole service? Music only? I'm starting to really think about this and examine my feelings. Please share yours.
18 Comments:
I say no... but I say that becuase I have a child that won't go into the childcare. He's to disruptive during service and not for others...me. I can't pay attention. I think bringing children into the main service would keep them learning. The class is age appropriate and so forth.
I think children being a part the service has its ups and downs. I personally feel like going to church should be an opportunity for families to worship together. The key is how the parents handle the whole thing though and not necessarily what "program" your particular church is running. There is definitely the age and maturity level to consider as well. I especially like the idea of the kids sing with us maybe starting around 5 or 6. We sing at the beginning and end of service so even now I will pick up Levi early so he can be apart of the last few songs. As far as the message goes parents need to know there kids and were they are at spiritually to make the decision of staying in for the sermon. I think giving the parents the option of child care up until maybe 6th grade is a good practice. One thing I don't agree with is forcing or strongly encouraging parents to put there kids in children's church, it should be a parental decision.
I totally agree with Kristen. Beginning with singing at 5 or 6 seems reasonable. Church is a family experience and should be enjoyed together.
But I also agree with Allison that kids need to learn churchy stuff in an appropriate way- in a class room. Having kids in during the message part can be a real distraction and VERY boring for kid too. Parents end up bring toys and coloring stuff for the kids to do- are they learning anything? NO!
Men?
Hey, it's only been 4 hours since you posted this; give the guys a chance! (Maybe they are scared...)
Anyway, of course it is always up to the parents to choose whether to keep them in the main gathering (for however long they choose) or take them in with the rest of the kids.
Some random thoughts:
Ideally the kids would have an environment available to them that would be more specifically tailored to their age group, so as Sara said, they may "get more out of it" if that is the case.
On a related note, don't forget that as with any form of "church" (regardless of the age ranges, etc.) it should never be about what a kid "gets out of it", but more about what they bring to the group as well. The other kids themselves can be just as much (or more) of a beneficial influence within the "class" settings as the teachers (or "mentors" in Bridge lingo), so it is also important to provide an atmosphere in which they can share, lead, and listen etc. with each other.
The other issue that some may be concerned about would be the age appropriateness of the main gatherings. In an environment like the b, which is interactive and not always necessarily "directed" by a "program" etc. as much as a discussion, some parents may be uncomfortable having their kids present in the midst of a conversation that could get into "mature" issues at any time.
So, in the end, I think it's back to the parents to decide, but the options should be there for them. Personally, I think I would always like them to have some time (not necessarily the whole gathering time, etc.) just with the other kids their age, to better facilitate the relationship building that is foundational to "church".
It says nothing in the bible about children being separated from the adults when Jesus came to teach. Instead, He welcomed them and blessed them with open arms. Maybe we all need to go back to that childlike faith, as Jesus commands, so that adults and children can learn and listen and understand what is being taught together. How did children learn about Jesus/God before there was such a thing as "Sunday School"? They learned from and right along with their parents.
i think there's a way to do it and be successful. a number of times greg has mentioned some church that has designated kid wranglers; instead of going into the bridge kids, they hang out in the service tasked with fostering the experience for the kiddos.
even still, despite how important it is to allow church to be spiritual and communal, i think there might be too much deemphasis on education and history. maybe that needs to take place outside of the sunday gathering, though.
maybe we need to reinvent how enviralmentals are held to provide child education, not just childcare.
If my kids are good at sports and bring home decent grades, I don't care if they go to church.
Just kidding, but this one time I was a little boy and I am to old to remember now but I'm pretty sure I hated going to the old people church because if my parents made me sit still five more minutes I'd kill 'em.
I think the real problem here stems from irresponsible parents/people who don't think they should be in the Bkids to teach the younglings. If only parents and others understood that it's not a matter of "work" but an opportunity, to teach/raise children the right way so they grow to know God. They need to be told that the future is more important then the meaningless "now" that they are so selfishly enjoying. Maybe just a kindling from my past experience as a Little Bridge Leader with Sara but it still runs true today.
"teach"?
Is teach another one of those words we can't say at or direct toward the bridge?
Should I have looked in the thesaurus for more profound word?
Oh, how is develop?
I like brainwash.
that's what lisa's dad calls it, "brainwashing."
I was just thinking of the kids who spend 10(or whatever) years in childcare at church, then go into the main gathering...old people church...big room- whatever you want to call it...what prepares them for it? Just a question.
Their parents, life, maturity, and friends.
But in a practical way? So they can participate in what is going on without being irreverent or disruptive. It can be a bit overwhelming to enter for the frst time, never having been involved in what goes on. I'm just thinking out loud. The church where I go to take my class, albeit very different from ours, they have their "classes" at the beginning and then they join the community for communion every Sunday. I think that is cool. There is instruction and development, then participation. Just some thoughts.
lots of churches do the worship time together then "excuse the children for 'kidz church'"
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