Should families leave if their church lacks a children's program?
Perspectives: By Jessica Mumford
YES:
A program supports a child's development as a follower of Christ.
Children today need to understand that while their salvation is individual and they will be held responsible when they stand before the throne of God, they are not running this race alone. Just as having qualified teachers and up-to-date curriculum affects a child’s education, being part of a children’s program that is founded in deep theological truths while also fun and engaging with other children supports a child’s development as a follower of Christ.
There's encouragement when believers gather together.
This past weekend, we got to have Michel W. Smith and Matthew West lead us and 10,000 of our closest friends in worship. At one point, they acknowledged a group of 50 young men who were their invited guests from Teen Challenge International’s addiction program. It was awesome to hear them say, “Look around, in this world it might not be cool to turn down partying but in this room it is cool to worship Jesus together!”
Children need a connection to a church fellowship.
Children need to understand why being part of a fellowship of believers is important. 1 Peter 5:8-9 states, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Lions pick the weak, wounded, and isolated to attack. Children need to be strong, healthy and connected to other Christian children to survive in today’s culture.
Children need deep relationships at church.
And while there are other avenues to seek out community for our children, their church family should be a place of strength and support. Vacation Bible schools are fun, but hopping from church to church all summer does not provide deep relationships where children feel comfortable to open up and ask trusted adults personal questions about faith and life.
NO:
Programs do not equal a relationship with Jesus.
Programs do not equate to a relationship with Jesus Christ and the teachings of biblical truths. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Church is a place to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, but church is not ultimately responsible for the salvation of our children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” That command is to parents, as well as youth pastors and Sunday school teachers.
Teaching a small class opens the door for others to join in.
When we first started attending our current local church, my children were the only kids in church. And even though I have my teaching degree, I knew it was my job in my home and during Sunday school to be teaching. Yes, there were Sundays where I was tired and just wanted to stay home that extra hour and get more laundry done (or sleep in) but that would be telling my children that laundry is more important than learning about God and deepening my relationship with Jesus. And it could also be missing an opportunity to teach other children, if and when they started coming too.
Invest where you are.
This is not a free pass for local churches to not invest in the next generation, though. If your local church does not have a children’s program, ask for one, volunteer to start one, even offer to fund one. You might never be able to provide the fog machines and X-boxes and tide-pool touch tanks, but you should have a program and resources in place to introduce children to Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to be able to teach them biblical truths on a weekly basis, even if it’s only one child at a time!
Jessica Mumford , “Should families leave if their church lacks a children’s program?” The Advent Christian Witness, Summer 2019