Youth Pastors

[OFIB Preacher]

I absolutely agree with you, Jerry8! And I know you don't disagree with the fact that children need to be taught Bible at home. Yes, it is part of worshipping God. And yes, a lot of modern churches don't teach much if any Bible. Sad situation Christianity is in today!

Christianity is doing fine! That stuff ain't Christianity!

[Anon]

Frankly its offensive that someone would get on an Independent Baptist Board where everyone pretty much claims to love God and serve Him faithfully, and accuse mothers of putting kids in a nursery or Sunday School as free babysitting....

I've worked my tail off teaching bus kids the past several months, and even filling in for teachers who could not make it, and not sitting in a comfy pew like most of you have...and for you to assume that my child is in a nursery because I'm lazy and want to sit in church without them is offensive.

I've been training my 2 year old to sit in church on Wed nights. Sunday's he does go in the nursery, still, because its how our church does things (our church has nursery and kids sunday school and jr. church as a freewill option, not mandatory. Our church also has a small bus route for those children whose parents will not take them to church.)

For the record, though what some of you have assumed is offensive, I'm not offended, because it really doesn't matter what you think. LOL. It only matters what God thinks.

[John81]

Frankly its offensive that someone would get on an Independent Baptist Board where everyone pretty much claims to love God and serve Him faithfully, and accuse mothers of putting kids in a nursery or Sunday School as free babysitting....

I've worked my tail off teaching bus kids the past several months, and even filling in for teachers who could not make it, and not sitting in a comfy pew like most of you have...and for you to assume that my child is in a nursery because I'm lazy and want to sit in church without them is offensive.

I've been training my 2 year old to sit in church on Wed nights. Sunday's he does go in the nursery, still, because its how our church does things (our church has nursery and kids sunday school and jr. church as a freewill option, not mandatory. Our church also has a small bus route for those children whose parents will not take them to church.)

For the record, though what some of you have assumed is offensive, I'm not offended, because it really doesn't matter what you think. LOL. It only matters what God thinks.

I don't know who you are referring to but I don't think anyone did or would accuse you of doing this. That doesn't mean other parents don't put their children in nursery or childrens church because they don't want to deal with them or train them. I've witnessed it myself. Too many parents simply don't want the responsibility that comes with parenting. Likely as not we've all seen examples of this in places like Wal-Mart, for example.

As I've stated before, our church has a nursery and some parents use this while others don't. We have a childrens church during the school year but not during the summer months. Again, some parents use this, some don't. Do they all have the same reasons for why they do or don't; not likely.

[Anon]

I don't know who you are referring to but I don't think anyone did or would accuse you of doing this. That doesn't mean other parents don't put their children in nursery or childrens church because they don't want to deal with them or train them. I've witnessed it myself. Too many parents simply don't want the responsibility that comes with parenting. Likely as not we've all seen examples of this in places like Wal-Mart, for example.

As I've stated before, our church has a nursery and some parents use this while others don't. We have a childrens church during the school year but not during the summer months. Again, some parents use this, some don't. Do they all have the same reasons for why they do or don't; not likely.

Sorry...referring to the following phrase, plus the attitude that seems to be flavoring the thread....

"Some have stated that church isn't about teaching; it's about worship! If that be the case, why are you taking the children out of the worship services and putting them in "Children's Church" or a nursery? Is that the real reason you bring the kids, so you can put them in said place? "

[John81]

Sorry...referring to the following phrase, plus the attitude that seems to be flavoring the thread....

"Some have stated that church isn't about teaching; it's about worship! If that be the case, why are you taking the children out of the worship services and putting them in "Children's Church" or a nursery? Is that the real reason you bring the kids, so you can put them in said place? "

Thank you for the clarification!

[HappyChristian]

You know what's kind of funny and ironic both at the same time when thinking about nursery and jr. church? We've had people over the years who absolutely refuse to place their children in nursery or send them to a jr. church class (visitors to the church), because they don't want the children to leave their sides. Okay, fine...but, in almost EVERY single case, it is THOSE children who behave badly and disrupt the services. Because they aren't trained at home, which is where the training is actually to take place.

Just as Suzi's church, we have a nursery and we have a jr. church. I've already explained how we do it, so I'll not bore anyone. And yes, we have some people who send their kids on the buses as free babysitting. But you know what? We don't care! Jesus told the disciples to suffer the little children to come unto Him...and that's what we are doing with our bus ministry. Motives of the parents are of little import if the children will hear the gospel and get saved - as many, many, many have over the last 40 years. And there are a good number of those who have grown and gone into the ministry and are serving the Lord around the world.

Funny things happen sometimes - once, one of our asst. pastors was heading onto a military base down south. He had to show his i.d. When he did, the guard at the gatehouse couldn't believe it - he told the man that HE had ridden that man's wife's bus to our church when he was a child. One time when we were in Memphis, we were out to eat with some friends. When we came out of the restaurant, my hubby gave a tract to a couple of young men sitting outside. Lo, and behold: they had visited our church when they were up in the area visiting family. Their cousins rode the bus regularly...the one my hubby worked on!!!!

The church my mom attends doesn't have a jr. church. And that's fine, that's totally up to each church. But - my nieces don't go with them anymore. Why? Well, they both love their Sunday School classes. But they cannot sit and listen to the preaching. They aren't taught to be still or listen at home or at school. So, my parents, as the grandparents, spend the entire service trying to get the oldest one to be quiet and sit still (she's a REALLY loud sigher!), while the younger one snores through the service. As I said, if the church doesn't want a jr. church, that's fine. But just think: if they had one, when my parents started going 3 years ago, the oldest was 9. Mayhap by now she'd be able to sit still and listen and profit from the preaching. But no - now, she has no interest in things spiritual. I don't blame the church, so please don't think that's where I'm going. I'm just saddened about her and the direction she's plummetting in. And I wonder if a jr. church program could have helped her.

[asysin2leads]

I know of a lot of young men who have used a youth director position as a stepping stone into a pastorate. I have also seen a few times where a young man will come on staff as a youth director with the intent of running the pastor out and taking over. If that is the case, then he is a very dangerous individual. I have served as youth director for a few churches and left as the Lord moved. I have never been, nor ever will be, a youth "pastor." I use the term youth director. I know that many people get wrapped up in titles. A church has a pastor and an associate/assistant pastor (or more) that act on in the stead of the pastor in various situations. Personally, I do not have a prOBlem with those terms.