This post received feedback. I took all into consideration, however, still did not change my mind. Reading Noel Piper this morning, I was again strengthened as to the teaching of the Word on this subject.
“This brings up the need to train young children to sit through church services. I started easing mine into the habit when they were about three. That meant sitting on the end of an out-of-the-way-pew so we could slip out if we needed to. We knew that the best way for a child to learn how to worship is to see Mom and Dad worshiping. we wanted our children to be part of the whole congregation as soon as they and we could manage it. Yes, it’s different for different children. And yes, Mom’s and Dad’s worship is pretty distracted for a while. But that’s what parents do: we live a less-than-ideal (by some standards) life for a few years so we can bring our children up to be adults with us.”
Noel Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, pg 45
It’s funny that you posted about this because I just attended a meeting this past Sunday for our Children’s Ministry and the pastor was talking about how we can’t keep our children separate, that they need to be in church with us. He expressed regret over his own children being totally involved in the children’s “programming” and separated from the “big” church. I think I agree with you 🙂
I can vouch that parents are distracted, but what a privilege we have to train our children to love the corporate gathering of the church body! I am thrilled that my children look forward to gathering with our church, that they recognize songs we sing at church, and that they want to be active and involved in our church body. Much of that comes from being deliberate in involving them in church life and corporate worship from a young age. I love Noel Piper’s thoughts on this subject!