Childrens Church

Guess it depends what you mean by Children's Church, do the children go to a seperate service area then parents OR is is something before or after the service like the parents have adult Bible study and the children are seperated into grades and have children's Bible study?

Many parents I have talked to are looking for a place where they sit in the service while someone else takes care of their child. Everyone hears the message but are seperate for the service.... personally I would rather teach my child how to sit nicely and behave in church (it can be a struggle but it is what we decided to do). It is good for a child to see that their parent(s) are active in church, and learn the proper way to behave/act in church.

We also have a Bible class for adults before hand while the children go to Sunday School (or children's Bible study). This is where everyone gets to learn about a Bible lesson/message with their own age group. 9:10 am Bible Class then we all go upstairs for the 10:30am service (there is also an 8:30am srevice).

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I know we do. That was one of the main reasons we chose the church we attend.

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I know personally I would not give up my religion for a nursery - if the one at our church were below par, we would make do without it. Right now they are doing an excellent job. Overall I think it is my duty to teach my children about God, not to delegate it to people at church.

Well, I don't think of a nursery as the same thing as children's church, but maybe I'm not understanding your question. You use the word "safe", which I thought might be why Sunny mentions nursery. In case you are talking about older children, which is what I thought children's church is for, I'll remark about that.

I liked Children's Church when I was a child because I was too little to understand the morning worship sermon. We had Children's Church instead. The teacher told Bible stories, usually with illustrations, we sang songs, took up a little offering, and learned about God. It was different than Sunday School because it was held like a child's morning worship instead of like a class.

When we got too old for Children's Church, we were expected to go to morning worship. Now there are other parts of children's ministries that churches have; Wednesday night young people stuff, that is mostly social, sometimes featuring music and food, etc. Teaching teens to help out in the community in the name of the church group is a way to help teens bond outside of the body of the church as well.

Different churches do things differently. It's really all about finding a fit for your child, no matter what the age, one that you are comfortable with.

Hope this helps,
D.

I think it CAN be a plus... but oftentimes churches, imho, go overboard to the point of making the kids have separate church, i.e., like your title to this post implies: children's church. It is great to have activities planned for them, Sunday School classes that are age appropriate and Vacation Bible School an so on. But during worship service, I think the kids should be IN the service WITH their parents... not shuttled off somewhere else getting a "child's" version of church. A cry room, or a nursery for babies who need to be taken out during the service due to fussiness or something is especially nice. But I don't think kids should be relegated to some other room until "x" age...

Yep! I would not even consider a new church if it didn't have a children's church. Growing up, I know that I learned much more as a child because of children's church than I did in the service itself. I want my son to have that same experience!

I believe Children's Church to be a vital part of a church's ministry....our church finally decided to make it a priority and brought on staff a full time Children's Minister who leads the worship for children's church. I think it's great when children get a chance to learn on a level that is interesting and understandable to them not to mention applies to their lives where they are now. Often, pastors do have to do sermons that may be sensitive in subject matter such as abortion or marriage related issues and may not be appropriate or applicable to a kinder-4th grader. So to answer your question, in my opinion, yes.

YES! We have 4 children (ages 6, twin 4 year olds, and a 9mo). It is impossible to keep them all still and quiet for 2hours of service. Also, they are not old enough to appreciate the sermon. So, a children church, for us, serves 2 purposes. It gives my husband and me (and those around us) the opportunity to appreciate the service. It also gives my children age appropriate bible lessons that they can comprehend.

yes- we actually stopped going to a church that my husband and I loved because my child was doing nothing but coloring pictures while we were in service. He was 5 at the time we realized that it was still going on. The church we are at now is wonderful. Very well organized for all ages infant to sr. high infact, very safe (i am a volunteer and there is alot to go through just to be allowed to work with the kids) and they kids all love it and learn alot!

YES.

I'm a kids church teacher at our church and thats one of the biggest things I hear from other moms.

And as a mother myself, I want to know that my kids are safe, having a nice time and under good influences.

For lots of people, this is a "make it or break it" issue in our area. And to be honest, for me as well. If we were to ever go to another church or move away... that would be a huge contributing factor.

Good luck!