When I was a boy in my small home church (about 10 to 15 members), I suffered because there were no children's programs. The other members were older and didn't feel comfortable trying to do special things for children. Sabbaths were real times of despair for me, and I know that my mom was frustrated.
Children's Sabbath school plays a big part in the life of a church, and children are really easy to teach. But what about church? Somehow, through the church service as well as Sabbath school, children need to be told and shown that adults are happy they are part of the church family. One way this can be done is by occasionally planning a children's church.
As far as possible let the children themselves sing the special music, read the Scripture, present the prayer, ask for and receive the offering, tell the story and hand out the bulletins. More could be said on this, but my purpose here is to share some practical tips on how to set up a children's church so that it can become a real ministry. Here are some things that have worked well for us:
1. Before the Day of the Service:
Announce it well in advance (two consecutive weeks before the event). In your announcements specify the ages the service is for. The ideal is Kindergarten and Primary Sabbath school children (6 to 10 years of age).
Contact your adult helpers. Let them know exactly what you expect from them. If they have an up front part, a story, song, etc., tell them how much time they have, the ages of the children, and the theme for the day. Pick helpers who are up-beat and friendly, and who love to be with children.
Prepare the parents. Let parents know in advance that an offering will be taken so their children won't be embarrassed. Invite some parents to bring refreshments and help with, the preparation. Because health is of vital importance, fresh fruit and fruit drinks are desirable.
Secure a video camera, batteries and film. This has been an important part of Children's Church for us. We show it later to our children and use it to critique our program.
2. Program Planning Tips
Timing. Plan a program that lasts about 1- 1/2 hours. Throughout the program plan your events so the children won't have to sit more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Children shouldn't have to fight against their nature. If the adult church service is longer than Children's Church, and the children have to wait, you could show some of the video that you took during the service. They will sit quietly for a long time if they can see themselves on TV.
Location(s). We move our children around a lot, and that takes time. We begin our service in a room we call the "Video Room." Here we show a short religious video. It's a great way to get the children together and set the theme for the day. Other designated rooms that we use throughout the course of the service are the "Activity Room," the "Worship Room," the "Story Room," and the "Refreshment Room." With this type of programming it's important to let parents know where the service begins and ends so they can be prompt in leaving their children and picking them up.
Rules. We have only two or three rules that we stress to the children:
(1) Never leave the room by yourself; you need an adult!
2) Participate in the songs and stories, and be helpful, or we will need to take you to your parents.
3) Do not leave the room at the end of the service until your parents come to pick you up.
3. Final Remarks
We've found it beneficial to plan a Children's Church on the same Sabbath of each month. This way the children begin to ask about it and know when it's scheduled.
In every phase of the service, ministry occurs. There's a time for everything, a place for each activity, and it's all done with discipline and order. Through careful planning you can make learning, sharing, and worship a meaningful experience for your children.
This article was written when Bob Reynolds was youth pastor of the Denver First Seventh-day Adventist Church.
