Kids and youth ministries in churches have come a long way over the last few decades. More and more we are seeing fun, interactive, and engaging environments that welcome in the younger generation. There is so much good that is happening, specifically when these environments are built upon solid, gospel-centered teaching and instruction. But there is one result that might not have been foreseen. As these ministries and their programs have changed and progressed with the specific age group in mind, it has caused many of these kids and students to disengage from the worship gathering of the church body.
Growing up, I remember sitting in the Sunday worship service with my parents from the time I was about 4 years old. The idea was that I could learn, observe, and participate. More and more today this is not the norm. Many families have transitioned to attending one worship hour when they are at church. Kids and students attend the worship program for their age group, parents attend the worship service, and then the family returns home. Is this healthy? Is there a case to be made for families to all worship together rather than kids engaging in a separate environment?
Reasons for Families to Worship Together
I think there are a handful of good arguments for kids and youth to attend and participate in the worship service along with their parents:
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There is much to be learned through observation. By watching how God is approached by the leaders on the stage and those that are worshiping around them, so much can be learned about who God is and how we interact with Him. Watching mom and dad stand for the reading of God’s Word, pray, sing songs of praise and adoration, take, and listen intently makes a big impact on a child’s understanding of God, church, and faith in practice.
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Spiritual growth is fostered. A younger child might not always understand the full scope of what is being done and discussed in the service, but there are many nuggets that can be grasped throughout, leading to deeper roots of faith. At Berean, I hear time and time again about how kids and youth are learning and taking away applications from preaching.
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The chance for spiritual conversations grows exponentially. With the family listening to the same preaching and teaching, it can be referenced and applied in an easier and more natural way throughout the course of life. Parents have the opportunity to relate a situation to what was taught, make a connection to current situations, and bring practical application to their child’s life. They can also talk about God and faith in a way that kids can relate since they were both hearing the same thing, together.
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It sets up the younger generation for life in Christ as adults. Many kids and youth that are sectioned out from the rest of the life of the church on Sunday mornings struggle to engage in the worship service as an adult. They feel that it is not for them. Engaging at an early age helps them to learn what it looks like and means to worship together with the body of believers and they feel part of the experience and the FaithFamily. When they reach an age where they are living life on their own, there is not a transition to being an adult in the church, because they have already been engaging with the body.
I love what kids and youth ministries are doing these days, but I don’t get excited when it leads to a more segregated approach. At Berean, we encourage kids and youth to engage in our weekend age-specific programming for community and education, but to also worship together with their families in the worship service starting around first grade. I believe this can have such positive implications for the spiritual health and future of kids and youth.