It's about the "big church vs. kids' church" issue, and the post generated 122 comments from readers. Did I add my $.02? Of course!
This is an issue that pops up every once in awhile in my own church, and I'm sure that otherse out there have dealt with it - so I thought I'd let you know of some very interesting discussion that's been happening on it.
My own view (in case you don't have time to scroll through all the comments to find my response!)? Kids' church is NOT glorified babysitting (at least it shouldn't be!) - it is simply worship and learning at a kid's level. Kids need to meet with other believers and experience God, too - not just go to church for the purpose of learning how to behave in church.
On the other hand, my SP and I share the view that families are going to do what they're going to do, and as long as they're just making it a private family decision to keep their kids in "big church" with them and not sabatoging the kids' ministry (i.e., telling people, "WE don't send OUR kids' to children's church and here's why..."), just let them. And concentrate on ministering to the kids whose parents have entrusted me with that task.
Anyway - if you're bored and have some time on your hands, head on over to the "Stuff Christians Like" blog. He's written two posts since that one, so you'll have to scroll down some...
This is a "hot topic" nowadays... did you know that Pastor Perry Noble does not allow children in "big church"? He explains that they pour a ton of money into creating a worship experience for children where they can relate. They also provide state of the art nursery facilties and care and a parents' room and mothers' room for those with fussy babies or who are nursing.
I am not saying I agree or disagree. I don't have an issue with the decision. I can see where he is coming from. Parents say they want their kids to "learn to sit in big church..." so they know how to when they are adults. Funny, to me that is like saying you want your kids to skip grammer school and go straight to college so they can learn how to be productive members of society in an intellectual sense.
Kids Church is on a kids level... just as kindergarten is on a 5 yo's level... it is not a babysitting service.
The reasoning I hear most often where I am is that "the church separates families too much," and that the purpose of the church is to strengthen the family, which is impossible when everyone's going in a different direction the moment they step in the door.
I would like to see in Scripture where it says that the purpose of the church is to strengthen the family!
And for those who say that kids' church is a relatively new development, and in years past kids had to just learn to sit quietly in adult church...so what? The Internet is a relatively new concept, too. They didn't have that in years past. There was no television or radio in the Bible - should we chuck those as ministry resources as well?
God has given us the means and creativity to find new ways to preach the gospel to each generation. Kids' church is one of them! We need to stop shying away from every ministry technique or concept just because we don't read about Peter and John using it...
I read alot of the comments the other day. Didnt realize it was such an issue. The church we have been sp at the last six months used to not have childrens church. Then they went to having it 1st and 3rd. now, since we have been there it has gone to every week. They see the need now more than ever. What we do is kids stay during music and worship, then dismiss to finish out in childrens church. Works good for us and kind of bridges the gap between views on kids participation.
Kids ministries are paramount! You go girl! I think it would be neat if we could coordinate enough to cover the same topic but on the audiences level (SP and CP)! Then the families could share their experiences and apply it at home sharing how it was conveyed at their level. I'm in favor of series and practical application to meet the attention spans of the general audience. You have to almost "separate" for that! I love our CP!
I actually do my best to keep up with what my SP is teaching on - I'm usually a week or three behind, especially when the Holy Spirit moves my pastor in a different direction, LOL!!!
At our church, when we took over as SPs there was no CC. Mainly because they didnt see the point for 2-3 kids. I immediately said no matter how many children we have we will have CC no matter what. Thankfully we have a few other women that agree with me and help me out alot since the first part of the year and fill in when I am unable to lead (due to knee surgeries and issues w/my knees). We too allow the kids to stay in service for praise n worship and then I take them back for our lesson, puppets games ect... I was having then the whole service and the kids said they missed worship time. They enjoy our praise time and this allows them to be able to witness and experience the Holy Spirit moving specially when one of our ladies get touched, she "shouts for Joy". It is awesome for them to witness and experience this specially since we are doing a 13 weeks study on the Holy Spirit right now.
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"How can I keep from Praising Your Name, How can I ever say enough, How amazing is Your Love!"
Our Bishop has the kids in church with their families in all the 5th Sundays of the Year. Other than that, they have their own time of worship, praise, and lessons. Our pastor said it is important to have a good balance of both. One for the kids to see their moms and dads as an example in worship, and two, for them to be able to particpate in family time.
Most churches will double in size when they begin to pour a large amount of concentrated energy into children and youth ministries. Kids WILL bring parents to church eventually. Parents get curious when kids are hopping out of bed at the crack of dawn on Sunday begging to go to CHURCH!
While on vacation, we visited a new church plant in Acworth, GA. It is about six months old. I met a woman there who shared with me that her family moved from Greenville to Memphis then to Acworth to help launch the church. The wild thig is... they were not in church or Christians when they were in Greenville, BUT, someone invited her daughters to church and they LOVED it... couldn't get enough... in time, she and her husband went to "check it out" and see what their kids were into (they were both Catholic growing up) and they both got saved. Within weeks they were working as volunteers in the youth ministry. A couple years later when the YP took a position in Memphis, they packed up and moved too.... and a few years after that when he went to launch the church in Acworth, they signed on and have been working so hard ever since! There is a lot more to this testimony. But, look what can happen when a concentrated focus is on children and youth!
My parents were YP right out of Bible College, they had interned as YP as well. They were bussing in kids from every walk of life. One was a Prebyterian pastor's son. They recently got an email from him (they had lost touch for about 20 years) and he is an associate pastor. There were two sisters from a spanish only speaking family whp came as well. They too married ministers and are in ministry today! I could go on and on...
One things my dad always said, ""Children and Youth are not the church of tomorrow... they are the church of today."
And anyone who is not fully convinced that kids are the church of today needs to go to Amazon.com, find George Barna's "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions" and read it ASAP!!!
