by Jill Fandrich
I’ve heard all the excuses why people don’t bring their children to church —“It’s boring”, “I don’t want them indoctrinated”, “We’re too busy”, “It’s just for old people”. I’d like to give you some of the reasons why children should be in church.
I’m speaking from first-hand experience here. I went to church as a kid, our three children came every Sunday, and now I bring my grandson with me. My church, Westminster Presbyterian, has a small but faithful core of young children who are there most Sundays. Families have a variety of options—the Children’s Worship Center, a “Prayground” in the sanctuary, and a nursery. My grandson loves church. If he were writing this article, his reasons would include “There are lots of cookies.”
Yes, cookies are important, but there are other good reasons for children to come to church. Here are a few.
Churches are intergenerational. There are few places these day where children can mingle with other kids (older and younger), teens, adults who aren’t their parents, and older folks. My grandson is greeted by name when he walks in the door, and has several good “friends” who are in their 70s and 80s. The children who come to Westminster are valued and loved members of the church family.
Churches are safe places for children to ask hard questions. In a recent Sunday School class I taught for older elementary children, the kids asked lots of questions about what happens when someone dies. It wasn’t the lesson we had planned, but several had lost grandparents in recent years, and once they started asking questions, they really wanted to talk! I didn’t have answers, but we wondered together. Their thoughts were beautiful and profound. There are few places where these kinds of conversations can happen.
Churches expose children to different kinds of music. Has your child ever heard a pipe organ? A bagpipe? A choir that sings in four-part harmony? Handbells? A chant? Besides music class in school, has your child ever sung with others? Churches are one of the few places where people sing together! It’s a beautiful thing when voices of all ages rise in song.
Churches introduce children to the concept of the divine. Even the youngest of children can begin to know God as an expression of unconditional love, awe, and mystery. They can understand at their own level. One of the things I love most about my church is that it welcomes questions more than it offers answers. No matter where any of us are in our faith journeys, we find something in church to help us along the way.
Churches help children respect others while also being themselves. I grew up in the “children should be seen but not heard” era. I’m glad to say that my church has moved beyond that. We welcome children in worship, and embrace their wiggles, whispers, dances, and loud amens. At the same time, children learn that church is a place where we walk slowly, speak softly, and respect that others need a quiet place to talk to God. In our fast-paced, screen-based world, church is a place where everyone, including children, can slow down and find peace and calm.
Churches teach, by word and example, about loving others. Westminster is a “Matthew 25 Church,” which means we actively embrace God’s command to care for the most vulnerable and hurting members of our society. Even the youngest members of our church learn to bring food for the food pantry, put coins in the offering plate or box, give away their outgrown coats, visit nursing homes, and help with service projects.
Churches let kids do very grown-up things. Our children participate in worship and service in meaningful ways. They read scripture, sing or play instruments, carry communion elements, and carry the light of Christ (a real candle!) into and out of worship.
Church sometimes gets a bad rap for being “boring” for kids. That couldn’t be further from the truth at Westminster. How can you not love a place with songs, stories, and endless cookies? A place where you’re valued and loved? A place where everybody knows your name and is happy to see you?
I can’t think of a better expression of God’s love than being in a place where you feel welcome, safe, and cherished. That’s what children, and hopefully everyone else, will find at church.
I’ve heard all the excuses why people don’t bring their children to church —“It’s boring”, “I don’t want them indoctrinated”, “We’re too busy”, “It’s just for old people”. I’d like to give you some of the reasons why children should be in church.
I’m speaking from first-hand experience here. I went to church as a kid, our three children came every Sunday, and now I bring my grandson with me. My church, Westminster Presbyterian, has a small but faithful core of young children who are there most Sundays. Families have a variety of options—the Children’s Worship Center, a “Prayground” in the sanctuary, and a nursery. My grandson loves church. If he were writing this article, his reasons would include “There are lots of cookies.”
Yes, cookies are important, but there are other good reasons for children to come to church. Here are a few.
Churches are intergenerational. There are few places these day where children can mingle with other kids (older and younger), teens, adults who aren’t their parents, and older folks. My grandson is greeted by name when he walks in the door, and has several good “friends” who are in their 70s and 80s. The children who come to Westminster are valued and loved members of the church family.
Churches are safe places for children to ask hard questions. In a recent Sunday School class I taught for older elementary children, the kids asked lots of questions about what happens when someone dies. It wasn’t the lesson we had planned, but several had lost grandparents in recent years, and once they started asking questions, they really wanted to talk! I didn’t have answers, but we wondered together. Their thoughts were beautiful and profound. There are few places where these kinds of conversations can happen.
Churches expose children to different kinds of music. Has your child ever heard a pipe organ? A bagpipe? A choir that sings in four-part harmony? Handbells? A chant? Besides music class in school, has your child ever sung with others? Churches are one of the few places where people sing together! It’s a beautiful thing when voices of all ages rise in song.
Churches introduce children to the concept of the divine. Even the youngest of children can begin to know God as an expression of unconditional love, awe, and mystery. They can understand at their own level. One of the things I love most about my church is that it welcomes questions more than it offers answers. No matter where any of us are in our faith journeys, we find something in church to help us along the way.
Churches help children respect others while also being themselves. I grew up in the “children should be seen but not heard” era. I’m glad to say that my church has moved beyond that. We welcome children in worship, and embrace their wiggles, whispers, dances, and loud amens. At the same time, children learn that church is a place where we walk slowly, speak softly, and respect that others need a quiet place to talk to God. In our fast-paced, screen-based world, church is a place where everyone, including children, can slow down and find peace and calm.
Churches teach, by word and example, about loving others. Westminster is a “Matthew 25 Church,” which means we actively embrace God’s command to care for the most vulnerable and hurting members of our society. Even the youngest members of our church learn to bring food for the food pantry, put coins in the offering plate or box, give away their outgrown coats, visit nursing homes, and help with service projects.
Churches let kids do very grown-up things. Our children participate in worship and service in meaningful ways. They read scripture, sing or play instruments, carry communion elements, and carry the light of Christ (a real candle!) into and out of worship.
Church sometimes gets a bad rap for being “boring” for kids. That couldn’t be further from the truth at Westminster. How can you not love a place with songs, stories, and endless cookies? A place where you’re valued and loved? A place where everybody knows your name and is happy to see you?
I can’t think of a better expression of God’s love than being in a place where you feel welcome, safe, and cherished. That’s what children, and hopefully everyone else, will find at church.
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