Our children join us in worship, on purpose and with intention.
Our aim has been to make worship normal for our children and to help them love the Lord’s Day. Our children need to be in worship because God has commanded His people to gather (Heb. 10:25) and God meets His gathered people through the preached Word and the administration of the ordinances (Acts 2:42f; 2 Tim. 3:16, 4:1-2). We lead them into worship because we are to make disciples of them and disciples worship.
Children in the service have our clear approval. Parents, your children are welcome in worship. Church, it is our job to rejoice with the healthy sounds of children in the service. Rejoice when a young voice starts the doxology one note off. Rejoice when a child shouts out the answer to questions during the sermon. Weep with joy when our little ones receive the benediction with their hands raised. In addition to our clear approval, we aid them in worship by having clear forms that they can learn and participate in: standing for the Call to Worship, saying “Amen!,” raising our hands, and singing familiar songs that they are able to learn.
Finally, it takes patience on the part of parents because raising up children is messy and that doesn’t stop at the church doors. Little one’s will not always behave. You may have to take them out, regain control and bring them back. It will take patience on the part of the church because sometimes there are distractions when we are trying to focus. A distraction free worship service is not our goal, raising generations of worshippers is our goal.
If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of Parenting in the Pews, by Robbie Castleman. We are recording a series of conversations in relation to the book about what it looks like and how you actually pull it off. The first is already on the website: go to www.santamargaritacc.org, then to the sermons link and select “Parenting in the Pews” in the “View by Series” drop down menu.