I agree with most of the posts, so I won't repeat what they've said. I'll only add that even if there are what you believe is disturbing or inappropriate for your son, at least he's hearing about it in a controlled environment -- any questions he may have would be easily addressed by you, since you were there.
Yes...I agree with everyone else. Typically my church doesn't have any "disturbing" messages for children and my children have always come with us, but if there was something along those lines, I'd rather my child hear about it at church - where they are also being taught how to deal with it and have you there to help explain and instil your morals at the time. (As opposed to them hearing about it through their friends, on TV/internet, or wherever else their young impressionable minds pick things up).
By the time I was 5 years old I was attending church service with my parents and never found anything disturbing. My daughter is 5 and attends services with us as well. I would never think of sending her to the nursery. By that age they should be listening (at least a little) during service. My daughter does color, etc. She does listen enough that she gets something out of it and will ask questions during service or on the way home. If there are things being discussed in your church that you feel your 5 year old shouldn't hear, perhaps you need to re-evaluate if that is the right church for your family.
What sort of things does your church talk about that children shouldn't hear? We're Catholic and we've never taken our 3 year old to the nursery, mostly because we feel that she should learn what church is really about, not just have an hour of playtime, and we've never found anything to be disturbing.
My 5 yr old and two yr old both attend service with us. We are United Methodist, so I am not sure how that compares with your denomination, but I can tell you that most of the services is geared toward adults while a small part titled, "The Children's Message" relates the kids to God. Given the world we live in, I would be more concerned about how my children handle the other 167 hours of the week as compared to the one hour we spend in church in worship.
My church does not have a nursery so my daughter has attended with us since the day she was born. She is now nearly 4 years old. We have had no problems.
I think that it is wonderful that your church is having children join with their parents for church. I know a lot of churches are moving this way since they are finding that not having children attend church with their parents is harmful to their faith development. At our church, even the youngest babies are encouraged to attend with their parents and it works well. For more information, you might want to check out this website: http://www.ncfic.org/
They have a new film coming out which covers this topic.
Ok, I see you have many answers already and with out looking at them I will give you mine. I have not attended many churches that offered anything for my son to do after the age of 5- until recently and now he's 10. He has always sat beside me and never paid attention- to any of it. Our church has bags for the kids with a book and an actiivty coloring thing and crayons- things to keep them occupied. I sat in adult church alone as a child as my parents were in the choir- and although I listened, I didn't understand much of what was said- so it didn't matter anyway.
I am confused
I don't understand what it is that your child can't hear at church.
Are you upset beccause there is some particular topic that you have been privy to, or do you just not want to have your child with you in church.
If he is not ready to sit there and be accountable, what does he do at school, and what undo pressure do you put on his teachers.
If he can handle a hour sermon, what happens to an all day situation at school?
If there are things in church that make you uncomfy, maybe you need to re-evaluate your choice in ministers. Same religion, different church ;may be a solution.
Guess I have not had an experience that I culd not have my child in church.
If you have that expeerience....I really would look at it more in depth.
I havent read any of the previous answers but this is my rule of thumb...if they are old enough to go and sit in school they are old enough to sit in church. I have two girls ages 4 and 7 and they both have been sitting in church since they were very small...Occasionally going in to the nursery if they were acting out at times. I think its good for kids to sit and listen to the preacher and participate in worship service. Hope this helps!
I teach Sunday school for preschoolers and take my 3 year old granddaughter with me. We sit in church since there is not someone down in the nursery and she does just fine. I bring things for her to do, colors and coloring books, teddy grahams and a sippy cup of water. Sometimes she talks during the service and I just remind her that it is the minister's turn to talk. Our minister told me once that there is 3 things they love to hear in church: 1. Amen from the parishiners, 2. Checks being ripped from the checkbooks and 3. Babies and Children talking. He was just pointing out that they love having the younger generation being in church and learning about God and that is what we are going for isn't it? As for as the "disturbing" things you could hear, I can't think of once a sermon made me worry about my granddaughter hearing. We are Methodist and everything is done in a positive, loving way.
I guess I should start my saying that I almost didn't post, because I'm not a Mom...I'm actually a Dad (of 6 great kids!). I came across this question looking for something else and just had to give my input. :-) I'll be forwarding this site to my wife! :-D
I just sat and read all of these comments and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I understand most of the "arguments" of the moms here, which basically say...It's how it's always been done...they should be able to stay and sit for an hour...training...right? Let me ask you moms...is this how you train your child at home? Make them sit for an hour and be quiet as training... I venture to say no! Lets take a look at society today...Christianity is being challenged on every front...why do you think that is... let me offer a challenging opinion...The Church has taken the WRONG approach to handling kids for GENERATIONS...and now we get to reap the benefits (or side effects!) of those choices. The family unit has no merit today, and many people want to have nothing to do with "Christianity". The point isn't to train a child to "act appropriately while sitting in service", it should be to impress the things of God on their heart. Disney spends billions of dollars being intentional when it comes to their agenda with kids. Why would we think that we should be any less intentional when it comes to raising up our children.
As for kids during Sunday service...I have a very strong opinion...The church should be very intentional about creating an environment that is relevant and age appropriate for kids. I also believe that they should be very strategic in their methodology to PARTNER with the parents for the spiritual development of THEIR kids (which by the way is your job as parent!).
Are we wanting kids to get a deeper understanding and revelation of who Jesus is or how to sit in service quietly for an hour?
I've also heard the argument that our kids need to see me worship (from a parent)... Yea, I agree...HOW ABOUT THE OTHER 6 DAYS IN THE WEEK!!!!???? If Sunday morning Church Service is the only time they "hear" or "see" anything about God.....well.....yea, you get my point!
Bottom line, I am passionate about being INTENTIONAL in reaching and teaching children about our Unbelievably Awesome God and partnering with Parents to do their job..."Deuteronomy 11:18-20"
Oh, and as for hearing "disturbing things"...tell your pastor...WAY TO GO!! I hope your pastor is preaching a Word that will make you (generally speaking) very uncomfortable and challenged...and yes, sometimes that means talking about things that kids probably shouldn't hear...yet. Read your bible...it's full of "disturbing things" that will challenge you to the core! :-)