We realized we made a mistake. It was our Children's Pastor, Molly, who pointed it out: our normal “family” service wasn't really a service for families – that term had just become code for the absence of Children's ministry that week.
We meant well, but we really hadn't thought it through.
Children have different needs than adults; they get the message in a different way than adults. It was time to put our money where our mouth is...you see, families are important to us. We want families who attend Living Water to worship together; we want to model following Christ to every generation. And we want people in different generations to “play nicely together.”
Here are some of the intentional things we did to make our Thanksgiving service a “real” family service:
- We integrated youth in as many roles as we could. Students participated on the worship team, as greeters, as ushers, and in serving communion. Students were partnered with adults to limit the pressure placed on them, but also to model generational partnership.
- We provided “kid friendly” activities for the youngsters – the bulletin cover was a coloring page and we passed out crayons and we gave one kid a prize (which tied into an upcoming message series!)
- We kept the service short and the elements in the service short as well. The message was broken into 5 – 7 minute chunks and interspersed with a drama to make in more understandable.
- We played worship songs that kids knew and verbally encouraged them to enthusiastically participate!
- We had a special video which featured kids.
- We encouraged families to take communion together.
Kids in the service do bring a different dynamic; there was a different energy in our services. Yet I watched at the end of service and found that the children were the most responsive to the message. That's a good reminder.
Jesus told his disciple's not to hinder the little children from coming to Him. It is good for us to be stretched and flexible as we continue to figure out what it means to help families become solid.
What were your thoughts about our family service?
Comments