STATEMENT ON CHILDREN/YOUTH PROGRAMS
We have had a multitude of youth programs since 1994, but in 2018 we began prioritizing the family as a unit in Sunday Morning Worship & Wednesday Night Bible Study. We understand it can be hard for children accustomed to multiple programs to come into a church with a different emphasis. But we strongly believe in the family worshipping and serving together within the church and with the church family. Although “traditional” children’s programs are not a priority in our church, we have many functions and activities that involve children and their parents in ministry, service, and fellowship activities like the following:
SERVICE —We have cleaning teams, mowing teams, Nursery service for newborns to age 5 (when we have volunteers), and opportunities to serve through offering the closing prayer, sound board, computer aid, and financial accountability.
MINISTRY— We have monthly Communion observance on the 3rd Sunday. Sunday Morning Worship and Wednesday Evening Bible Study provide in-depth teaching and instruction. We also hold Christmas Eve and Good Friday Services where children can participate. We sometimes have a Question-and-Answer Service where we offer time where children and adults can ask any question. (This service can benefit children by hearing their parents and other adults ask questions about faith and personal struggles.)
FAMILY ACTIVITIES— A yearly Spring Picnic, Sabbath Dinners, Fall Festival, Christmas Dinner, and movie nights offered in winter and summer. As well as, occasional Christmas plays, sledding parties, and bonfires.
BENEFITS TO CHILDREN WORSHIPPING TOGETHER WITH THE CHURCH BODY:
- Provides opportunities for questions after the service
- Builds skills for communication with adults
- Ensures sound doctrinal instruction not just activities
- Allows for the witnessing and participation of God’s Word through reading, singing, praying, and preaching.
- Gives children the understanding that the worship of God is not just for adults but for everyone.
In addition to the above statements, we believe that the church is to help the family in their calling to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Below are a host of Scriptures that convey that responsibility. For all these reasons our vision is the whole family together in weekly worship.
- Matthew 28 | Deut. 6 | Jude 1:3 | 1 Pet. 3:15 | Exod. 13:14 | Isa. 55:11 | Heb. 4:12
- Rom. 10:17 | Mark 10:13–16 | Ezek. 36:26 | Psalm 78 | Eph. 6 | Exodus 12:1-28
- Deut. 4:9-11 | Ezra 10:1 | Nehemiah 12:43 | Joel 2:12-17
