Youth Pastors

[JerryNumbers]

It's a sad shame but holding Sunday school during the preaching serves at least three purposes. The parents who attend the preaching can get the kids out of their hair by sending them off to Sunday school. Those parents who only send their kids but don't attend themselves don't feel bad about not attending the preaching since their kids get the Sunday school proving they are good parents. Church time is cut down and there is no need for adult Sunday school.

It's all about convenience.

One fellow attend our church, he said, "I wanted to hear some preaching, I have not heard none in a long while, they either have a program and or the pastor is not there." Yes, he was attending a SBC Church.

[HappyChristian]

Look, I am all for families staying together during the preaching service: but where in the world does scripture say we are not to take families out of the church service?

I've been to churches that have no nursery - and no OBvious discipline of the children, either, because they are crying, talking, running through the church...and the pastor asserts that he can preach even with that going on. Maybe he can...but can those in the pew hear? and grow? No. Is

I've never in my life heard of Sunday School being held during the preaching service!

There is nothing unscriptural about having the family together during all services. Nor is there anything unscriptural about having separate classes during Sunday School time. Even Jr. Church is good (and there's nothing unscriptural about that, either), if it's done right.

[Anon]

I think this is one of those pathetic things that goes along with "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Christ".

People look down their nose and say "WE believe in FAMILY church". Others look down their nose and say "WE believe in NURSERIES..."

I get sick of the comparisons and what's right/wrong here. The New Testament doesn't say "Thou shalt/shalt not have a nursery" so guess what...its up to each independent church to decide for themselves what is their preference, which preference does NOT make them better or worse than any other INDEPENDENT church.

[HappyChristian]

I think this is one of those pathetic things that goes along with "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Christ".

People look down their nose and say "WE believe in FAMILY church". Others look down their nose and say "WE believe in NURSERIES..."

I get sick of the comparisons and what's right/wrong here. The New Testament doesn't say "Thou shalt/shalt not have a nursery" so guess what...its up to each independent church to decide for themselves what is their preference, which preference does NOT make them better or worse than any other INDEPENDENT church.

[trc123]

I think this is one of those pathetic things that goes along with "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Christ".

People look down their nose and say "WE believe in FAMILY church". Others look down their nose and say "WE believe in NURSERIES..."

I get sick of the comparisons and what's right/wrong here. The New Testament doesn't say "Thou shalt/shalt not have a nursery" so guess what...its up to each independent church to decide for themselves what is their preference, which preference does NOT make them better or worse than any other INDEPENDENT church.

Wow, there....now wait just a minute. God says do it the way I am doing it; but if you don't want to OBey the Lord and his Word, then I guess you have a right to be less spiritual and less right with God. I'll pray for you!

[Pastor Matt]

With these kind of actions, it is amazing that anybody would want to be a Christian.

Is this really how we would want others to view being "Christ Like"?

[trc123]

With these kind of actions, it is amazing that anybody would want to be a Christian.

Is this really how we would want others to view being "Christ Like"?

I don't worry about my sarcastic humor (which most know is so ridiculous I couldn't possibly be saying it sincerely) scaring the lost from the Savior. I worry about those who say such things and are very sincere and serious about thinking that everything they do is right and more spiritual than others. The sad thing is, they don't see it in themselves and truly believe their drivel. Sometimes one has to say the outrageous to get through some very thick skulls.

And yes, if someone reading is so thick they don't see it, my post was outrageous sarcasm! Edited July 2, 2010 by trc123

[PreacherE]

I think this is one of those pathetic things that goes along with "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Christ".

People look down their nose and say "WE believe in FAMILY church". Others look down their nose and say "WE believe in NURSERIES..."

I get sick of the comparisons and what's right/wrong here. The New Testament doesn't say "Thou shalt/shalt not have a nursery" so guess what...its up to each independent church to decide for themselves what is their preference, which preference does NOT make them better or worse than any other INDEPENDENT church.

As someone who has worked with young people for 14 years now. I can say that Sunday school & Jr. Church are benefits to a church if they are done right. I've seen them done wrongly and it did nothing to help those young people, however, when done correctly it teaches those children the Bible and prepares them for when they are older and begin to sit in an adult service. If a pastor and his church choose not to have age-specific services then so be it. That's their choice. But it's not their place to question those who would have age-specific services.

We must always remember that when it comes to the Bible you cannot be dogmatic where Scripture is silent.

In Christ,
PreacherE

[DennisD]

I've heard both sides of this argument before but never really gave it a lot of thought until this past weekend. My oldest son (9 years old) came up to me and asked to sit in regular church service because Jr. church was getting boring for him.

I guess my point is, I think Jr. church can really do some good but as long as we raise our kids the way we should and encourage them always to walk with Christ...they will know when they are ready for regular church service.

You might say, well what did children do before Jr. Church? Yes, I know...but I think a lot of the services would be hard for them and wouldn't get their attention as clearly as junior church might. Although, they do sit through Sunday night and Wednesday night services.

I think I've argued myself into another argument...

I think it's good they can get together with other kids and learn in possibly a more exciting environment for them but also great that they sit in Sunday night and Weds service...get both sides of the coin and it's allowed them to grow much faster in my opinion.

[Anon]

Depends too, and greatly, if one's church believes in having a bus ministry instead of "us four, no more".....

[John81]

Our church has a nursery and during part of the year we have childrens church for the youngsters. Parents are encouraged to have their children in the service with the parents as soon as possible, as much as possible. Some parents choose to put their children in the nursery while some choose to bring them to the services. Those that attend the services are well behaved and if they do become loud a parent takes them out of the service, which is very, very rare.

We don't have childrens church during the summer months to encourage parents to get their children into the services and if necessary to finally make the committment to do what is necessary for their children to be able to attend services with the parents.

I don't doubt there are some good programs in some churches for jr. youth but I've never personally encountered one. Most are very, very watered down.

What I find wonderful is how younger folks in church, even if one wouldn't think they were even paying attention, will sometimes ask profound questions or make profound comments based upon the pastors sermon. I've heard this from some children in our church and from our youngest son on occasion. Once when our son was 9 he picked up on a key aspect of the pastors sermon and later in the day I mentioned something which didn't have anything directly to do with the pastors sermon and at that point I wasn't even thinking of the pastors sermon, and our then 9 year old paused for a second, looked at me seriously and said something to the effect that it was like what pastor had said, then quoted some of what he had said and related it perfectly to the topic at hand! I was pleasantly surprised, thankful and proud (in a good way) all at the same time. After talking with my son about this I took time to thank and praise the Lord!

Children pick up much more during a sermon than we sometimes know. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. How can they hear if they aren't in the service? If they are in the service then the Holy Ghost can use the sermon to reach them.

[JerryNumbers]

A nursery is not necessary, I can testify to that, I've seen many children grow up in church who attended every preaching service with their father and mother. Its the best way to teach a child, plus it keeps the family in the church.

Of course I understand some parents do not want to make the effort.

[John81]

A nursery is not necessary, I can testify to that, I've seen many children grow up in church who attended every preaching service with their father and mother. Its the best way to teach a child, plus it keeps the family in the church.

Of course I understand some parents do not want to make the effort.

I agree this is best. Whether it's the parents or the child, some can't seem to do this. Most often it seems to be the parents who are unwilling to train their children to attend services. They lack the patience and will.

We currently have a few babies and toddlers who attend services and they have from shortly after birth. They are well behaved and it's a blessing to have them with us. I've watched some grow up over the years who have been in church services since they were a matter of days or weeks old.

We've always had our children with us during the sermons and I'm very glad we have.

[OFIB Preacher]

It's a sad shame but holding Sunday school during the preaching serves at least three purposes. The parents who attend the preaching can get the kids out of their hair by sending them off to Sunday school. Those parents who only send their kids but don't attend themselves don't feel bad about not attending the preaching since their kids get the Sunday school proving they are good parents. Church time is cut down and there is no need for adult Sunday school.

It's all about convenience.

How Sad.
No thank you.
The Christian life, isn't about convenience!

[OFIB Preacher]

Children need to be in preaching service with their parents, we are not to take the family out of church services. And yes, it works very good.

Exactly!
Yes it does!
AMEN!