7 Benefits of Having Your Kids Sit In Church With You

I'm forever a proponent of having children, even very young children, sit in church with you if they want to--and maybe even if they don't!

I understand how hard it is. I know you don't get as much out of the sermon when you're refereeing your kids in the pew. But that hour is important to their spiritual development. Don't get me wrong. If your church offers children's church or some program for the kids during grown-up church, I don't have any problem with kids going. I think that can be beneficial, too. But so many churches don't offer that and I think that's OK. Kids aren't missing out by not having such programs.

So what are the benefits of having kids in church with you?

1.     They learn to sit quietly. This takes time and patience. It's important that you bring along some quiet activities to help them with this. 

2.     They feel connected to the church body. We are the body of Christ. Kids are never too young to feel that connection.

3.     They feel the Spirit. I know it seems they're only squirming and counting the seconds until it's over. But there's a special feeling in a church service that can't be found anywhere else. Kids unconsciously pick up on this and know it's a holy place and experience, even if it doesn't seem like they get it. 

4.     It builds faith memories. One Sunday after we sang the old hymn, Break Thou the Bread of Life, my pastor stood before us and admitted he had felt like a little boy again as he sang that song. He remembered it had often been sung as a communion song in his childhood church. He was mentally transported back to his boyhood and could see the faithful saints from his church passing the elements, even though he didn't fully understand what it all meant at the time. My point? Had he not sat in church week after week, he wouldn't have such sweet faith memories as an adult. These little things are what build faith. 

5.     It shows children service opportunities. Children can see that there are people who hand out bulletins, pass the offering plate, sing on the worship team, play instruments, preach sermons, and participate in worship in various ways. One of those things may be something that interests them and they'll be able to see themselves in that role one day. 

6.     They learn to use their Bibles and sing praises. As the pastor uses scripture texts, they can try to find them with your help. Children should be encouraged to sing along with the songs. Have them sit and stand with the rest of the congregation. Teach them to participate in, not just tolerate, the service.You never know when something they hear will click and the Spirit will move them into a deeper place of faith. Or a verse or song they've heard may come to their minds in a difficult life situation and can be a source of strength for them. 

7.     They see you worship. You're your child's most influential role model. You're showing them how important it is to go to church. It's absolutely vital they see you worship so they can follow your example as they grow into adults.

So don't despair when you have your kids in church with you. All those wiggles and noises that sound magnified in your ears because it comes from your kids is part of their spiritual growth. They're taking in way more than it seems. God is working miracles behind the scenes in their hearts.

What other benefits have you seen by having your children in church with you? Do you think there are more benefits from having them in children's church? Sound off in the comments below.

Entertaining Kids in Church

by Linda McQuinn Carlblom

As a parent, grandparent, children's minister and author, my heart beats for kids. But things have changed a lot since I was a kid and even since my children were young. One of those changes is the way children are viewed in church.

Most churches offer a Jr. church option of some sort or at least provide packets of worksheets and puzzles for kids to do during church. I admit I'm conflicted about this. On the one hand, I know it makes it easier for parents to worship when the kids are occupied. And genuine learning can take place as kids do Bible puzzles and worksheets, especially if they must look up things in their Bibles to come up with the answers.

But is it the church's job to keep kids entertained? As a children's minister, one part of me says to do whatever it takes to keep the kids engaged and keep the parents bringing them. But another part says parents should provide whatever they deem necessary to keep their kids busy and quiet. Or instead of bringing quiet activities for the kids, should parents help kids stay engaged in the service by encouraging them to sing along with the congregation, sit and stand at the appropriate times, put money in the offering, and help them find the scriptures the pastor uses?

I don't have the answers to any of these questions. But I'm wondering where parents stand on this. What do you expect from your church in regard to your kids?

So parents, what's your take on this? When your kids are in church with you, as opposed to being in Jr. church, do you like the church to provide activity packs to keep them busy during the service? Or would you rather teach them to sit quietly and participate in grown-up church, bringing your own bag of tricks if necessary? Do you feel it's the church's job to provide quiet activities for your children? If none are provided, does it keep you from attending that church? Let me hear from you! And don't worry--there's no right or wrong answer and no judgment here!