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Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 1:46:22 PM
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MrFribbles
Posts: 1884
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From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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At the church I currently attend, the children aged 3rd grade and younger leave the Sunday morning service about 15 minutes in to go to Children's Church. A similar thing happened at my previous church, except it was up through 4th grade.
I'm wondering what y'all's thoughts are on the matter. Should there be Children's Church at all? What should the age limit be, or should it be available through high school? Or any other thoughts you may have on the matter. : )
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 5:39:19 PM
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J_Michael80
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Mr Fribbles,
At my church, we also dismiss the kids about 30 minutes into the adult worship service. The kids sing praise songs with the adults but have to leave before the sermon is given. I think this is very appropriate because there are some issues that kids should NOT be a part of. I think there should definitely be a sunday school for kids or what you refered to as the Childrens Church. As far as the age limit is concerned, that is really up to the church elders and deacons to decide. Thanks.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 6:24:47 PM
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TrustingGod
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We have classes for all age groups from infants to 5th grade. The kids go there for "their" service. This way they get the message in their own language and at their level. They also have their own praise and worship time - again geared toward their age.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 6:25:16 PM
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gaylel1
Posts: 1151
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As a Children's ministry worker, yes, they need to be ministered and nurtured at a level in which they understand because some children may not understand a adult pastor--ages of 3, 4, or 5 may not understand what is the bible or what it teaches.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 6:46:47 PM
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Zhi
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Hmm. Considering my own upbringing (I remember when we actually started having children's church at my church), I probably got a lot more spiritually out of children's church than I ever got out of sitting in "big church" coloring in a coloring book and having no clue what the pastor was talking about when I did try to pay attention.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 6:49:21 PM
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creationtalk
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My current church has a children's church for the 3rd grade (6th grade?) and younger group. The one before did not have a separate service for the children. I love the having a children's church. #1 it meets my son's needs and communicates on his level. He is learning Bible verses and about Jesus and God...when he was kept in the adult service he wasn't learning anything...and neither was I because I had to sit on him to keep him halfway quiet and still. which leads to reason #2 I don't have to worry about trying to keep my son from disturbing others, and can instead concentrating on learning and worshiping God.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 6:58:00 PM
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MrFribbles
Posts: 1884
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From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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Thanks to all for your insights/opinions so far! : )
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 7:08:08 PM
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1love1God1way
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As an adult, I sometimes wish I could still go back to children's church. Those services can really be very real, relevant, and deep.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 7:26:07 PM
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rcjames
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From: Oklahoma
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I think it is a good idea, that is assuming that Children's Church is really Church and not just a play time.
We offer Childrens Church, but it is up to the parents if they want their children to participate or not.
Thanks
RC
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Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 7:34:48 PM
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zoebob
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We offer Sunday School between the two services for all ages: birth through adult. THen during the service the kids from 3-K may go to children's church during the service (and communion on those weeks). They have a Bible story, sing some songs, a snack.
This gives everyone age appropriate lessons for an hour but anyone in 1st grade and older is in the whole service.
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L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 8:16:51 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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We have two levels of "kids time" on is for K through 2nd grade and the other is 3rd through 5th grade. Our children's director is insistent on grounding the kids in Gods Word.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 10:30:33 PM
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crankius
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During the second service there is children's church available during the sermon, but during the first service there is no children's church.
We attend the first service and so our youngest stays with us. We like to sit as a family, and our kids have always just liked staying in the service with us. They actually do listen to the sermon and they often discuss the sermon on the way home or during lunch.
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Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/26/2008 11:15:24 PM
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twincities
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i love the fact our church has children's church. nursery and childrens church is for the whole service. giving a kid a coloring book to keep silent i don't think is edifing for the child. we go to a 'type' of church that we can learn the most from so can our kids. at my church they minister even to the infants. its good for the kids to be with other kids their age for fun and learning.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/27/2008 7:06:35 AM
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zoebob
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THat's what I believe SS is for. THere is a time for age appropriate learning and a time for corporate worship/learning with the whole body together. In reality, a child who has been raised in the church can understand a theological sermon better than a spiritual baby but biological adult.
_____________________________
L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/27/2008 9:24:34 AM
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stateofgrace
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Our church has "children's church" but the service at that hour is also rather family-friendly.
My daughters didn't like children's church very much...they preferred to be with us in the service. As long as they participated in the worship and were quiet and respectful at other times hubby and I were ok with that. Our biggest problem was them falling asleep during the sermons!
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/28/2008 12:27:33 AM
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elliemaejune
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At the church we now attend, the children leave after the singing and go to children's church. There is no children's Sunday school.
When my dc were young, we attended churches that had Sunday school and children's church, so they were not with us at all in the morning until they were at least 9 or 10 years old.
My dh grew up in the Southern Baptist church, where everyone went to age-appropriate Sunday school, and everyone came into the worship service. He clearly remembers accepting the Lord when he was only 5, right there in the "big church."
I don't have an opinion, really, about whether there should or shouldn't be children's church, or whether the children should be with the rest of the Body on Sunday morning. I have heard *many* testimonies from people who were saved while in the adult worship service. If the children's church is well run and actually has structure and actual teaching, as opposed to twaddle being spread about, then that's a good place for children to be. However, I don't believe it is vital. The Old Testament mentions a few times that children were present with the rest of the congregation when the Law was being read (nothing in the NT). The Holy Spirit touches people's hearts wherever He wants to.
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Married to Mr. Ellie for over 30 years
Mom to 2 dds and 2 dsil
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/28/2008 2:36:28 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TrustingGod
We have classes for all age groups from infants to 5th grade. The kids go there for "their" service. This way they get the message in their own language and at their level. They also have their own praise and worship time - again geared toward their age.
We have this, but it goes all the way through high school. Kid don't "have" to go, though. There are always plenty of kids in the regular services.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/28/2008 2:59:55 PM
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Peter_Gunn
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I personally like the idea of having a nursery for those that are two and under. After that, it's time to learn to behave in church!  As for the appropriateness of "grown-up" church...if they are too young to understand, it will roll off their backs. If, as they get older and have questions (and they should!), it makes great Sunday dinner conversation.
And yes...we have five kids...all grown now. All were taught early how to behave in church. We have always believed strongly in the family being together for at least one meal a day. Those mealtimes have allowed for wonderful conversations, many of which were started by a kid asking a question about something he/she heard during the sermon.
IMHO, Children's Church contributes to the dumbing down of the Word.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/28/2008 3:35:49 PM
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twincities
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at my church we now have what is called 'children take your parents to church' its a service geared for kids. It has a series skit, each on builds on each other, about what is taught in youth church, a time of worship and a sermon. a lot of kids seem to like it.. its between the services and after the last sunday morning service.
Each family has an opinion on how church should be for their kids, as long as no one thinks their way is the only right way. I don't think its dumbed down for them. Just brought in a way they can understand..
elise
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/28/2008 5:10:57 PM
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klpowell
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I see this subject in two different ways. 1) Yes it is good to have a service that is geared toward children and is age appropriate. But, I think sometimes Children’s Church turns into play time and snack time and not God Time. If its done right Children’s church can be a good thing. 2) my other way to look at it is Children need to be in church with their parents so that they can learn to sit in service and can observe their parents to learn the acceptable behaviors for church.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/29/2008 5:48:27 PM
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Bluethread
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Ours is a family based group, so what we do is designed to support the family. If a child is confused about what we are discussing, the parent is encouraged to explain it. This of course leads to the children being exponsed to some rather unsavory issues and sometimes some of say things in ways that need explanation.
However, we see these things as community building exercises and both parties, listener and speaker, are encouraged to be considerate of the other. When there are little children some parents have chosen to play games with then within earshot so that everyone can be involved. Interruption is not a word we use. With the exception of the Scripture reading there are no real rules of order apart from being respectful and considerate.
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/31/2008 10:42:48 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1431
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
At the church I currently attend, the children aged 3rd grade and younger leave the Sunday morning service about 15 minutes in to go to Children's Church. A similar thing happened at my previous church, except it was up through 4th grade.
I'm wondering what y'all's thoughts are on the matter. Should there be Children's Church at all? What should the age limit be, or should it be available through high school? Or any other thoughts you may have on the matter. : )
We do things a little differently...
For kids up to 1st grade, they do have their "children's church"/classes for the entire time parents are at church (even babies are read scripture in the nursery)....but, as you enter 1st grade, you are expected to go into church with your parents (the way it's set up, there's really no way to circumvent that).......then, before or after church (depending on what time you want to go to church), you go to your Sunday school class (the same time parents go to their adult classes).
When kids do go to their classes, they first all congregate in "Kids Zone" (1-3 grade), or "Big City" (4-6 grade)...sing some praise songs (both our kids are on the praise team there), have some teaching via a "whacky" skit or something like that, and then get dismissed to their individual classes for further teaching....
Short answer: At 1st grade...kids are in "big church"....for the entire time....
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Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Where should the kids go? - 10/31/2008 10:54:40 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1431
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
IMHO, Children's Church contributes to the dumbing down of the Word.
though, that's taking the assumption that the "children's church" isn't as "biblically strong" as "big church.......sure, some aren't....but, some are.....
quote:
I personally like the idea of having a nursery for those that are two and under. After that, it's time to learn to behave in church
Being in church involves SO MUCH more than just simply "learning to behave"...it's UNDERSTANDING....
why not let the children get TAUGHT and LEARN at "their level"? They can "behave" in children's church, AND LEARN much more than they ever could in "big church" at that age....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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I refuse to send my children to children's church, and am hesitant about Sunday school. Our church started children's church when I was young enough for it but my brother only went once and disliked it enough he tried to come back to us in the middle of the service. 
