My kids don't want to go to church!

These are 3 great kids who still
love Jesus and His church

Let’s admit it, keeping your family involved in the church isn’t easy. So many things, compete for our families time, our families attention, and our families energy (sports teams, staying over with friends, vacations, holidays with extended families). Plus, our kids learn that they can successfully persuade us parents to miss “church” for a variety of understandable excuses (I’m sick, I’m tired, I don’t know anybody, I don’t like my [teacher, minister, class, etc.], I can’t get out of bed, I can’t get ready in time, I don’t have anything to wear, on and on, and on, and on…)

Pastor’s/minister’s don’t understand how hard it is to keep their families in church. Or do they? Pastor’s/minister’s kids never get to miss church. If Pastor’s/minister’s kids miss church too much, some people in the church might begin questioning their ability to parent and to lead (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Maybe this is why PK’s (Preacher’s Kids) have such a questionable reputation. Maybe this is why 85% of seminary graduates entering the ministry exit the ministry within five years and why 90% of all pastors will not stay to retirement.

But God designed the church to accomplish His plan to redeem the world!

• Hebrews 10:24-25
• Colossians 1:17-20
• Ephesians 2:19-22

The faith of children is most likely to grow when they have the opportunity to associate with adults who are growing persons who know and love God. The child’s faith is inspired when he or she belongs to an inclusive community that seeks to live out God’s love.

New Beginnings Church must continue to be a redemptive community. A redemptive community is a church that inspires, encourages, and motivates believers to want to belong. How do we create a redemptive community where our kids want to go to church and understand that there is a community of friends there waiting to see them?

We were NOT created to live in isolation or do the Christian life alone. Our faith community help us live the redeemed identity that we discussed in chapter 5. Our faith community offers a support system of like-minded people who believe the same truths and desire the same things out of this life. These shared beliefs and values provide a foundation for our children, especially during their developmental years. Our church can be a vibrant community of believers who can give our children a temporary reprieve from the world’s pressures and antagonism.

It's tempting for parents to believe that life is too busy and cluttered to go to church on Sundays. Church can become just one more thing in a busy family’s schedule. Attending church “every once in a while” is not enough to support a family’s goal for a vibrant – values shaping - redemptive faith community. Our children need to know that they are not alone. Families who live apart from their extended family and find deep relationships in their spiritual families as well. A vibrant community of faith can strengthen a child’s identity during their childhood years and have an impact well into their adulthood.

Julie Partin, Josh Sallee, Jill Lewolt

A redemptive faith community creates an environment to equip and disciple parents and children, to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to bring it richness of genuine worship. All of these things ultimately offer children a strong sense of identity, security, and belonging. Today parents need to be diligent to ensure that they are creating an environment that offers this kind of community for their children.

I love these PK's!