Do you worship with your children?
By pam210
@pam210 (344)
United States
August 4, 2008 6:07pm CST
I have attended the same church for over 35 years. I have made my confirmation there, married, baptized all of my children and 2 of my children have made their confirmation there. The worship was always set up that the children attended Sunday School while the adults went to worship. If the adults wanted to go to Sunday School they would and then attend the later service. Beginning in September they are changing the format and all Sunday school will be at 10:00 and there will be a 8:30 and 11:15 worship. They are changing because the new administration feels that we should want to worship with our children. I an not opposed to change but my 2 little kids (3 and 5) will not sit through worship and I don't feel I would get much out of it trying to entertain them. My options will be go to the Sunday school - which I want them to go or go to worship and try to keep the quiet.
I'm looking for some ideas of what everyone else does. I'm trying to keep positive and an open mind but I am really stressing over this change.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
7 Aug 08
Well, a similar change took place in my church recently as well. I think it is good for children to worship with their parents.
even though I do not have children yet, I would love to worship wtih them. when the sermon comes then they can go off for their sunday school class because I would say taht they cannot pay full attention to the sermon. But i love the idea of worshiping as a family.
the worship leader would have to be more sensitive and include some songs that they are familiar wtih as well in that case!
@pam210 (344)
• United States
12 Aug 08
During the summer our church let the children go to Sunday School before the sermon but they are changing it for the school year and the Sunday school will be the hour before and they will stay the entire time. They are providing coloring sheets and childrens bibles to keep them busy but I just don't know how much I can listen to the sermon when I am worried about my kids being disruptive. I'll have to see how it goes.
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
5 Aug 08
My church understands that parents want to worship with their children, but we also offer junior church where they can worship with their peers and teachers who understand the attention span of children. We sing our songs of praise first then the kids go down to junior church and it works. Maybe your church can look into something like that.
@pam210 (344)
• United States
12 Aug 08
This is so new to our church I don't know that they have figured it out. They did have a junior church in the summer but now they feel they want to keep the children in there for the whole worship. They did say last week that they are going to try this for the year and then at the end make a decision if they are going to keep it. RIght now alot of people are upset because they are almost forced to attending church for 2 hours with Sunday school and worship. It is unfortunate to say that our lives have become so busy that we can't take 2 hours out of our week for church.
@elshaddai123 (3981)
• Kottayam, India
1 Sep 08
In Exodus 10:26, we read not a single hoof will be left behind, so we can assume that children should accompany to worship. They are taking a good decision.You pray that your children should be kept in divine discipline. Peace to you.
@michelled (326)
• United States
4 Aug 08
i agree with you it is hard to listen when you have
kids to entertain. my church was the same way and they switched
it. Honestly for my 4 year old it was a ajustment, but every week
i tell him this is quite time , he gets it now but it took him a while.
for your 3 year old do they have a nursery for younger kids
or church has a play area for kids up to 4 year old.supervised
of course by church members. it can be tough .
@pam210 (344)
• United States
12 Aug 08
Our church has a nursury but it is for under 3 yrs old. I think I am slowly going to introduce them to the church service and see how long they will last. The Sunday school classes will be the first hour so they will attend that and then we will see how long they can sit and not be too disruptive. This age is so hard because they really can't entertain themselves for too long. My nephew who is 7 can read so he spends the time reading the childrens bible and is content. Hopefully my kids won't be too disruptive.
