Children in the Service

Weekly Update – October 14th, 2021

Many times the worship service may seem as a sort of break for tired and weary parents.  The worship service provides an hour for parents to refresh, listen and fellowship with others while their children are being cared for and taught by a loving teacher.  That is why on the outset, the idea of having children in the worship service may not always seem that appealing.  Some may think that it is an inconvenience to parents and other church members, while others may think that children only need teaching that is specifically geared toward them.    Currently, we only have a nursery that is designed for infants to 3 years old. Some may think that is due to worker shortages, which is partially true, but the bigger and more intentional reason behind this, is for the spiritual development of our children. Nevertheless, despite the challenges children may bring, let me offer you three reasons as to why we, at First Baptist Church, intentionally have children in the Sunday morning worship service. 

First, having children in our worship service teaches them how to worship.  Matthew 28:18-20 calls us to make disciples of all nations.  We could take this to literally mean that we are called to disciple all people.  In the discipleship role that every follower of Christ is commissioned with, one of the clearest opportunities we have is with our children.  Does this mean that every child should be in some sort of one on one discipleship program with an adult?  That could be helpful, but one of the clearest ways to disciple is simply worshipping with our children.  When children are brought into the worship service with adults, they have a clear opportunity to be discipled as they hear the gospel preached and they witness its effects on men and women of all ages and backgrounds sitting next to them.  From here, children see what it looks like to respond to God through song, pray to God with others, and they see what commitment to Christ looks like through baptism and the Lord’s supper.  

Second, having children in our worship service connects them to the church.  Imagine the culture shock of a child who has been in church all of his life but has never sat through an entire worship service. Perhaps he has played games every Sunday, sang fun songs, and had every message or Bible story illustrated for him while he receives candy.  Well then suddenly the child turns 12 and he has graduated to big church. No longer are there any games and he doesn’t know all of these people who are older than him.  Church is now something he is not used to, and in many cases might be hard to sit through.  Plus, the only adults who know him are the ones who have volunteered in children’s ministry.  Having children sit through the service at a young age teaches them how to sing songs of our faith, listen to a sermon and be a part of the church community before they get older and think that church is here to entertain them and the main service with adults is simply boring.  

Third, having children in our worship service provides gospel opportunities for parents.  I understand that our children won’t understand everything expressed through the readings, singing and preaching, but that is okay.  I also understand that one of the reasons to provide younger children with their own teaching is to communicate to them on their level.  But what we miss with children separated from the main worship service is the opportunity to explain truths that they don’t understand.  That is why it is okay if they don’t get everything.  And even if our children don’t get everything, at least they see and watch people around them who place an importance upon knowing and receiving the word of God.  In worship we have the opportunity to give our children a glimpse into eternity as they join with God’s people worshipping together.  And though they won’t get everything, they may at least be prompted to want to know why you think worship is important and why there is hope within your heart.   

I know from experience that having children in the worship service is not the easiest thing to do, but the difficulty a parent may have is worth enduring.  It is worth enduring because what is being built will last for a lifetime in that child.  Plus, this is really the way of discipleship anyway.  Discipleship is sometimes messy, it takes time and it may cost us sacrifice.  That is why there are binders with activities available to help our children adjust to sitting in the worship service if any of our children would like one. Lord willing, we long for what we do as a church to not only impact adults, but to see the next generation, know and love Jesus through their commitment and service to the local church.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson