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Does your church have active Children/youth ministries?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by DaChaser1, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    Or mainly geared "adult only?"
     
  2. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    So why did you get banned under your old screen name?
     
  3. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    wasn;t due to being banned is in misposting, but due to my hard drive in laptock fried, and had this second acct set up to be used ONLY if could not retrieve my info on drive, had to have new drive installed in, so went to this due to new drive in laptop!
     
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Our main campus has children and youth ministries but in our small campus, we just have Sunday School for the kids (starts after we all worship together) and every month or so, the junior high kids get together at someone's house for teaching and fun.
     
  5. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    Yes, we run an after-school club for children on Tuesdays. It is called Foxtails, and caters for children aged 5-11.

    Because our church doesn't have its own building, but hires the local primary school for services, we have a good relationship with the school, who are quite happy for us to run Foxtails on school premesis. We have found this very helpful, because children can come sxtraight from their school lessons to Foxtails, which removes the "Oh, I forgot!" situation we used to face when we met in the local community centre.
     
  6. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Sunday School
    Children's Church (parents have choice between that and the main service)
    Vacation Bible School
    Community Back to School Bash (includes school supplies for those who need them)
    Special events throughout the year. (Trip to museum for example)
    Programs presented by the youth at Christmas and Easter
    Parents Night Out (children bake cookies for the troops overseas)
    Provide meeting place & use of facilities for local Girl Scout troop
    Music specials by children from time to time during the main worship service
    Youth leader holds Bible study in his home followed by something special for the kids

    With all of these, the emphasis is that God comes first. In the past some "popular" events have been canceled when the focus changed to "entertainment".
     
  7. Berean

    Berean Member
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    On another thread on BB the question was posed as to where Sunday Schools were in decline or could be saved. I found this interesting because in recent months I have observed a growing trend in my church of children, both elementary, jr hi and high school age sitting with their parents in Church, particularly in Morning Worchip and Evening Services. We have both a Childrens Church and a Youth Ministery. Some referance was made to the book A Weed in the Church by Scott Brown (not marijuana) in which he lays the blame for the loss of youth who are leaving the church at a rate of 50 to 88 percent all depending on where you get your information on age segrated ministeries in the Church, He raises some questions that have often been asked but never answered., most of the time we closed our eyes or completely ignored. My conclusion or review of the book my be wrapped up in the comis strip characters statement, "We have met the enemy end he is us". This was good reading and thought provoking and enlighting. I hardly reccomend it.-
     
  8. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    I am not comfortable with age segregation in the church.

    I am not comfortable having a "youth section" in which hormonal distraction is most typical.

    If a young person has no family to sit with, then the assembly should be aware and some member step up to invite them to sit with them.

    I am not comfortable with any program of worship or teaching that separates the believers by age or grade.

    Timothy was apparently being excluded because of his youth. Paul wrote two times to him giving encouragement and instructions.
     
  9. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    we practice chikldrens church on Sundays, up to 5th grade, then goes to youth church until till 8th grade, then seniors church high schhol ages, with college students group also!

    This is during Sunday mornings, Youth as in high schhol college ages meet also wed night at church...

    have a Youth pastor/he is the assoicate Minister, and youth staff
    children church as administrator and teaching staff

    At 11:00 Sun service high schoolers and college groups in main service...

    thats how we do it...
     
  10. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    I can appreciate your viewpoint, as when I was growing up everyone attended the Sunday morning worship service. There are indeed advantages, such as observing Communion, opportunity for parents to teach sitting still, opportunity for parents to talk about the sermon afterwards, etc.

    With Sunday school, in particular, my outlook is somewhat different. There are some Bible subjects that, IMHO, are better discussed in detail, after children reach an appropriate age. Additionally, just like secular schools, first introduce the basics, then expound upon them as the children grow in understanding.

    Even though I'm 66 years old, there are a number of topics well over my head being discussed in this forum. :eek: Imagine the :confused: if some of these topics were presented to 8 year old boys and girls. My lack of understanding is my own fault. IMHO, it's a different story when meat is offered while milk can be better digested.
     
  11. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    In addition to the usual graded SS classes, we also have a children's church for those up to 5th grade. Why stop at 5th grade? If you must know, ask Jeff Foxworthy!

    We dismiss our children from the regular services after the preliminaries (the greetings, announcements, singing, offering). While we don't require that children go to it, most parents prefer that they do.

    We also have an AWANA program that's open to all, including those children who don't normally attend our services.

    Then we also have youth group (primarily for teens) that meets on a week night. Often other adults are invited to participate in this.

    In addition to these activities, we also sponsor a Christian that's open to students from pre-school up through the 12th grade.

    www.lighthouseministries.org
     
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