Children's church, Sunday School and nurseries

[Salty]

In another thread - during the discussion of the OP, nurseries was brought up
So as not to hijack that thread - I am starting this thread.


rlvaughn stated:
"I suppose part of it is historical/traditional, where our rural churches had large families and no nurseries and had no idea that any such thing was needed. We and a few others have continued under the idea that no such thing is needed, and have consciously (iow, not accidentally) continued on the past course. The way children learn how to behave at the church meeting is by being at the church meeting. If church services are absent of children, soon both adults and children are warmed to the idea that they shouldn't be there (iow, we don't do children's church either)."

What are the pros and cons of church nurseries and Children's church.

 

[Reynolds]

In another thread - during the discussion of the OP, nurseries was brought up
So as not to hijack that thread - I am starting this thread.


rlvaughn stated:
"I suppose part of it is historical/traditional, where our rural churches had large families and no nurseries and had no idea that any such thing was needed. We and a few others have continued under the idea that no such thing is needed, and have consciously (iow, not accidentally) continued on the past course. The way children learn how to behave at the church meeting is by being at the church meeting. If church services are absent of children, soon both adults and children are warmed to the idea that they shouldn't be there (iow, we don't do children's church either)."

What are the pros and cons of church nurseries and Children's church.

I think nurseries are terrible. I agree with the above. I will also add that most of them are nasty and spread sickness.

 

[rlvaughn]

Salty, kind of short on time at the moment, but will cut and paste a few things I have written elsewhere (this more specific to children's church, not nursery).

Imo, much of the "children's ministry" and "children's church" ideas are societally driven rather than biblically driven. We worship at the altar of what is convenient. Someone has said that we often worship a worshipful atmosphere more than we worship God.

Children benefit from being in the meeting between God and His people. They are in the presence of Christians of various ages rather than only their own peer group. They see how their parents worship and learn that this is an important part of their parents' lives. They are exposed to togetherness rather than the societal trend of family fragmentation. Adults benefit from children being in their meetings. They are reminded that it is not all about themselves, that they have a calling to train up children, and that gospel is to be passed on. We are reminded that life, families -- and God's family -- are made up of the old and the young.

It is intriguing that as age-specific "youth ministry" has blossomed so has the loss of young people in the church. I wouldn't argue causation, but is there a correlation? The response to the loss of young people has most often been to urge the doubling-down on more "youth ministry." And yet the decline continues. Could it be that our solution is not actually engaging the problem?

 

[Salty]

One thought is the number of children who come to church without parents - (ie Bus ministry)
How many of these kids leave the church - is it because they do not get the grounding at home?

 

[Reynolds]

One thought is the number of children who come to church without parents - (ie Bus ministry)
How many of these kids leave the church - is it because they do not get the grounding at home?

There is a point to good Children's Church program, but I see nurseries as counter productive. This whole giving parents a break from kids mess annoys me. I want my kids around all the time. If my 4 year old being a 4 year old "distracts" someone; they can kiss my hinder parts. They were 4 one time too. I had one elderly lady tell my wife "Don't you worry about that precious boy. He is more interesting than the preacher anyway." I laughed. An 85 year old man sits 3 rows behind us and plays perk a boo with my son half the service. Most of the old people love kids. The only ones who seem to have a problem are the career women who are mad that they can't find a man who will put up with them lo,g enough to have kids.

 

[Salty]

. If my 4 year old being a 4 year old "distracts" someone; they can kiss my hinder parts. They were 4 one time too.

but if a 4 year old or 4 month old starts crying - ect during the sermon - and distracts a person from hearing the gospel or responding - is a distraction that can be avoided.

 

[Reynolds]

but if a 4 year old or 4 month old starts crying - ect during the sermon - and distracts a person from hearing the gospel or responding - is a distraction that can be avoided.

That's life. Jesus said suffer the children to come into him. People will be distracted by what they let distract them. Most mothers carry out a screaming child. Common sense should rule.

 

[Salty]

... Common sense should rule.

I agree - but the problem is that common sense is not too common.

 

[Revmitchell]

I think nurseries are terrible. I agree with the above. I will also add that most of them are nasty and spread sickness.

L6

In another thread - during the discussion of the OP, nurseries was brought up
So as not to hijack that thread - I am starting this thread.


rlvaughn stated:
"I suppose part of it is historical/traditional, where our rural churches had large families and no nurseries and had no idea that any such thing was needed. We and a few others have continued under the idea that no such thing is needed, and have consciously (iow, not accidentally) continued on the past course. The way children learn how to behave at the church meeting is by being at the church meeting. If church services are absent of children, soon both adults and children are warmed to the idea that they shouldn't be there (iow, we don't do children's church either)."

What are the pros and cons of church nurseries and Children's church.

I disagree with all of that. Why have children sit in an environment whete tbe understand nothing, learn to despise church because of it. Further they become unnecessary noise and distraction to the preacher and everyone listening.

Instead have them where they can learn Gods word in an environment conducive to their age and learning ability until they reach the age when they can actually participate and benefit from the service.

Once the reach 6th grade they are ready to sit still and can actually understand what is being said. Makes mo sense to put babies and children through when you can do otherwise.

 

[Salty]

Revmitchell - What does "L6" mean after the first quote in post # 9 ?

 

[Reynolds]

Revmitchell - What does "L6" mean after the first quote in post # 9 ?

I am wondering the same thing.

 

[Reynolds]

L6


I disagree with all of that. Why have children sit in an environment whete tbe understand nothing, learn to despise church because of it. Further they become unnecessary noise and distraction to the preacher and everyone listening.

Instead have them where they can learn Gods word in an environment conducive to their age and learning ability until they reach the age when they can actually participate and benefit from the service.

Once the reach 6th grade they are ready to sit still and can actually understand what is being said. Makes mo sense to put babies and children through when you can do otherwise.

Church nurseries as a whole are one of the nastiest places you can put a kid. Look it up. I actually read about it in some of the mailings our church gets.
I agree that Children's church has its place and can be beneficial. Mothers should be made to feel welcome to bring their small children into service. My 7 year old goes to children's church. My 4 year old likes being in the service better. I can't blame him. The nursery/ children's church program for his age is boring. He prefers playing with the elderly people in service. In Bible study a while back, one if the old men told the pastor "you ain't told me nothing I didn't already know since you've been here."

 

[Jerome]

Hassells' History of the Church of God, from the Creation to A.D. 1885; Including Especially the History of the Kehukee Primitive Baptist Association proscribes such, declaring:

wherever...Sunday Schools...prevail, there the doctrine of Phariseeism (modernly called Arminianism) prevails, there the doctrine of saving the souls of men from sin and from hell by works which men may do for themselves and for each other prevails. There the mark of the Beast and there persecution prevail.

 

[Revmitchell]

Revmitchell - What does "L6" mean after the first quote in post # 9 ?

Its a typo im repoding from my phone so there is no exit option

 

[Revmitchell]

Its a typo im repoding from my phone so there is no exit option

Edit option

 

[Revmitchell]

Church nurseries as a whole are one of the nastiest places you can put a kid. Look it up. I actually read about it in some of the mailings our church gets.

I have never seen a nasty church nursery and as a pastor it is one area i focus on. First time mothers are my gauge for how many things should be done in tbe church i.e church paint, decor, cleanliness etc. If you can get it approved by them everyone else is easy. It seems your reading is exaggerated

 

[Reynolds]

I have never seen a nasty church nursery and as a pastor it is one area i focus on. First time mothers are my gauge for how many things should be done in tbe church i.e church paint, decor, cleanliness etc. If you can get it approved by them everyone else is easy. It seems your reading is exaggerated

It's not what you see. Its the lack of sterilization protocol. Last time I checked, you can't see germs Rev. You ought to bring in a hygienist, do some testing. The results will amaze you.

 

[Reynolds]

Edit option

"Repoding"? You cracking me up.
My android phone has edit under tools.

 

[rlvaughn]

What are the pros and cons of church nurseries, [Sunday School], and Children's church?

Salty, I want to express the point that these three do not necessarily find "equal-opportunity" opposition. For example, while some might oppose all three, I know a number of churches that are fine with both nurseries and Sunday School, but are stiff opponents of "Children's Church". Our church does not have or want a nursery, and considers children's church a "made-up church" driven more by consumerism than conformity to the Scriptures. OTOH, we are fine with having instruction for children apart from adults. (Most churches call this "Sunday School;" we "officially" call this time Bible Study in our church, but most, out of habit, call it Sunday School.) Based on Reynolds's comments, there is also a position staked out for opposition to nurseries while favoring Sunday School and Children's Church.

 

[Revmitchell]

It's not what you see. Its the lack of sterilization protocol. Last time I checked, you can't see germs Rev. You ought to bring in a hygienist, do some testing. The results will amaze you.

We sterilize regularly and on a schedule