Amy Stewart, Children’s Ministry Director
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘family style?’ For me, it’s the kind of meal at a restaurant that still serves bowls of meat and potatoes to pass around until it’s too hard to walk to the car. However, in Children’s Ministry it’s the way we are approaching Bible School and Sunday School this summer. For our purposes, family style means that children and parents will participate in the child friendly music, games, crafts, Bible reading, Scripture memorization, and prayer… together! Parents get to walk with their children in many wonderful ways to be reminded of the person of Jesus. As families participate together, they are encouraged to take the skills we are teaching the children home to continue their growth into disciples of Christ. At the same time, parents are also getting the opportunity to connect with other families who are raising children in this secular society we live in. It’s so important to be reminded as parents that none of us are doing this alone and that we were commissioned by God to do this together.
I’ve been asked why we’re doing things this way instead of the drop-them-off vacation Bible School format. Research continues to show that despite being raised in ‘Christian homes’ and attending church services, many young people discontinue their church attendance once they leave the nest. Why do some stay in church and others tend to stray? In 2019, Lifeway Research identified the top 3 reasons why children growing up in church will stay. Young people who continued the basic practice of attending church services reported that while growing up they regularly read the Bible, spent time regularly in prayer, and regularly served in their church. Sounds a lot like the Parish Rule of Life, right?
If that’s the formula, what can we do to help them along the way? The key word in the research findings is ‘regularly.’ With their families, they regularly did the things necessary to keep and grow their faith. We know for certain ‘regularly’ can’t be accomplished in a weekly Sunday School class alone. It takes more than 30 minutes before or after church to learn the life skills needed to be rooted in faith. Parents must join their kids on this journey and practice the ‘regulars’ with them so that when the time comes to choose which path to take, the one that leads to the altar is the obvious choice.
I want my girls to grow up with good habits. Even though it’s a struggle to take the time to brush their teeth properly, the fruit of that labor will come because of the effort early on. Sometimes I wish I could hand them a toothbrush and toothpaste and drop them off at the door of the bathroom. It just doesn’t work that way. The same applies to their spiritual growth. They need me now so that when the time comes to independently read their bible, pray, serve, and make their own spiritual decisions, they’re ready.
My hope is that these words reach all the parents in our church. We crave your participation in this ministry. However, to those who aren’t parents of young children we still need your help now more than ever! Each person takes a vow during the baptismal liturgy to help those being baptized to grow in love as Christ loves them. In our context, that is most often referring to the young children we baptize! Consider taking some time to help in this family style effort so that parents can participate, without distraction, with their children during this critically important time in their lives. Parents need the support of others and children need to see Christianity modeled for them in other relationships beside their parents. Please reach out to learn what opportunities are available to participate and to serve during Family Bible School next week, Sunday School this summer, and in Children’s and Family Ministry in the future!