Children in Worship

I’m a millennial. That used to be a derogatory term for “young people” but now we’re just all middle age. It also means that many of us are parents and an important question we may ask is - “how can I raise godly children?”

And to be honest, it’s not my intention to answer that question in-depth but to only offer two brief answers for your consideration (and one caveat).

First, an anecdotal story. When our son was born, we were excited to take him to church with us. However, on several occasions it was strongly suggested to us that we drop him off in the nursery so that we could pay attention in church. And just to be frank, I hate that mentality. However, that has become in my experience the default position for many in the church today. Hence, why I am writing this post.

So here is my thesis - Children should be in the church service with their parents.

A Lesson from Exodus 12

If you know your Bible, then you know Exodus 12 contains the narrative of the Passover and Exodus from Egypt. As Moses is giving the instructions for the Passover meal, he says in Exodus 12:24-27:

“[24] You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. [25] And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. [26] And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ [27] you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.” (ESV)

Notice that the children will see their parents partake in this ceremony, and they will ask - “What do these things mean?”

We are doing our children a disservice if we remove them from witnessing the ordinary means of grace in our gathered worship. What does it mean when we read, sing, pray, proclaim, and see (sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper) the Word? But if we remove them from the corporate gathering, we remove the blessing of them seeing these things and asking - “What do you mean by this service?” Removing children from the corporate gathering is a hindrance to family evangelism and discipleship.

I have much more to say, but for brevity sake I’ll move on.

The Primary Means of Grace

As a Particular Baptist, my confession (2LCF) and catechism (Baptist Catechism, 1695) speak of the means of grace. These means of grace our outlined in 2LCF 14.1:

“The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.”

Now, those within my tradition will also view the preaching of God’s Word as the primary means of grace, and it is through the word preached that God converts sinners. It is through the word preached that God strengthens, sanctifies, and preserves his people.

Now, consider what the Second Helvetic Confession states about the word preached:

“THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WORD OF GOD. Wherefore when this Word of God is now preached in the church by preachers lawfully called, we believe that the very Word of God is proclaimed, and received by the faithful; and that neither any other Word of God is to be invented nor is to be expected from heaven: and that now the Word itself which is preached is to be regarded, not the minister that preaches; for even if he be evil and a sinner, nevertheless the Word of God remains still true and good.”

Notice, the preaching of the word of God is the word of God when preached in the church by preachers lawfully called.

Here is my assertion - you are robbing your children of the primary means of grace when you remove them from the corporate gathering of believers where the Word is preached by preachers lawfully called. (And no, a children’s church that has a children’s pastor preaching to them is neither biblical nor prudent as it relates to what I am arguing here.)

So conclusion, take your kids into church with you.

One Caveat

What if I have loud or fussy children? Personally, I’m fine with children making some noise during church. It reminds me that the next generation is there and at times I need to preach towards them as well.

To other church members, when parents are struggling with their fussy kids they don’t need your dirty looks and snide remarks. Instead, go trying to help them or at least let them know it’s okay and there is no need to worry.

And lastly, parents with fussy kids sometimes your children are distracting to the pastor and other congregants. Don’t make your pastor compete with your child for the congregation’s attention. It’s okay to take them out and calm them down. And if it just so happens that someone comes and checks on you or offers some help - don’t be ashamed to accept it.

Love God. Love his people.

Finis.