Children in Worship
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
- Matthew 18:1-5
At Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, we welcome all children to worship and are thankful for their presence among us. We know that children sometimes need to move and make noise more than adults do. We also believe that worship is vital to the spiritual lives of children, both for their daily lives and as part of the formation of a mature faith. We remember the promises made at the baptisms of children to help raise them in the faith and strive to keep them. Bringing children to worship may not always be easy, but it is a vital part of their Christian journey.
We are a church that understands...
...children are important members of the body of Christ now (not just in the future). They are welcome at SPC.
...it is hard for children to sit still for a long time.
...it can be necessary to help children with worship etiquette during the service.
...children retain what they: Hear - 10%; See - 15%; Hear & See - 20%; Discuss - 40%; Experience - 80%;
Attempt to teach others - 90%.
...children who attend worship regularly are more likely to become faithful church members as adults.
Some Strategies & Tools for Children in Worship
Before Worship Begins
Try to come early enough to get settled and sit near the front, or where your child can see. Children who can see what is happening feel more involved and connected.
Introduce yourself and your child to the people sitting nearby.
Pick up worship activity sheets, a children's book and/or children's Bible from the bookshelf and baskets in the large transept (as you face the front of the sanctuary, to the right). These resources are available for children to better interact with the service and to connect in different ways.
As Worship Begins
Children learn all the time, whether you're intentionally teaching or not. They can learn "etiquette" by instruction. Feel free to whisper during the service to help them learn. They also learn from behavior that is modeled for them. Strive to model good worship skills.
Always laugh with children, never at them.
Encourage children to participate in every element of worship.
Share the hymnal, Bible and bulletin with your child at her/his eye level. Line the words with your finger for younger readers and even non-readers who can pick out repetitive words.
Allow your children to stand on the pew seat for hymns and other standing portions of the service. This helps them to see and puts them on everyone else's level.
Encourage your child to come forward for the Time with Children. Following that, children 4 years old through 5th grade may leave the sanctuary for church school classes.
As Worship Continues & Afterwards
Hand your child the offering plate. Make giving a regular part of their worship experience.
Help your child handle the bread and juice trays on communion Sundays. Remind them that we wait to eat the bread all together at one time (to show our connection to God as a whole church), but we each drink the juice when we choose (to show our individual connection to God).
Talk about worship at home. Look for opportunities to relate the sermon or scripture lessons to something that is happening in your child's day-to-day life. Use the take-home sheets that children get in church school to spark conversation.
Be patient with this learning process. We are all children of God.