Have you noticed that our kids tend to love the things that we love? My husband is a crazy Red Sox fan, so are my children. Our kids generally share our passions because they see a willingness to invest time in it, and a sense of enjoyment because of it.
Do you realize we never sat around each Monday night and Saturday mornings and read articles or quizzed the kids on baseball statistics and names of players...we simply enjoyed talking about the team and played a lot of backyard baseball. It just existed.
Parents make the mistake of compartmentalizing church, ministry, Bible and worship, giving each a specific time and location. Now, don't get me wrong we have some very regimented times for things concerning our "spiritual schedule", but i think we put too much of a separation between family time and ministry time...
Church has always been our second home. While growing up my children asked on a daily basis "Are we going to the church today?". Whether it was picking up something that was left or cleaning a classroom, there was always something that drew us into the church house...they loved it! Some of my 5 sons greatest memories are our daily stops...whether it was a quick tease from one of the men working or running down hallways and playing hide & seek while I decorated a bulletin board. I say all this to say, my kids love the church more than just Sunday School and Master Club...it's in their blood! Why? Because it's in the "blood" of their parents. They picked up on our passion.
Another thing that was absorbed into the mindset of our children was that our family and our church are not 2 entities. We are not separated into 2 families, we are built IN to the church family as well. Yes, we have family time apart from the church, but it revolves around the church schedule. With that, our kids know that church schedule will most likely "win" if there is a conflict. Quite honestly, our children see it that way as well. This has alleviated the disappointment I hear so often among PK's...my guys are the first to agree that Dad must go tend to Mrs. So & So in the hospital and we'll mini golf another time. I praise God for this!
Since everyone likes a "list" to follow here is one that works for us:
1.) Talk about church the other 6 days of the week.
2.) Include them in upcoming events and share excitement for these events
3.) Help them find ownership in the church by giving them jobs to accomplish...even if it's straightening the hymn books for the visitor that may sit in that very seat!
4.) Pray for the church and it's ministries
5.) When they are young encourage them to "play church". Make it personal by using your Pastor's name (even if it's their father) their Sunday school teachers name, nursery director etc.
6.) Allow them to take the "treats" people give them. There were times my kids had pockets of candy from well intentioned folks. I never said a thing...I knew this was making a little community of friends in the minds of my kids. Our former Pastor had treats for kids in his office. I always let them take one, simply because of the joy their Pastor brought to them. Of course, they had to spread the eating of the treats out over time...but they couldn't wait to see all their "peeps" the next service!
7.) Practice what you preach. If you want you kids to have joy in ministry so should you!
8.) Be flexible. Your kids will have the grace to stay sane by teaching them flexibility. Even if that means up late at night and out early the next morning. I can't tell you how many nights my little ones were asleep in a pew while staying very late at church. To this very current day, my kids can burn the midnight oil studying or enjoying a youth activity without coming unglued!
9.) Don't fill their head with any negatives. Keep hardships confined between you and a your husband. Every kid should believe as long as they possibly can that every person in the church is a wonderful loving Christian. Soon enough you will have to explain to them the hurts people bring, but until then every kid should have "rose colored glasses"!
10.) Reward them for the times ministry caused a conflict and their attitude was honorable. We have expressed to our children many times how thankful we are and how gracious they have been to allow us accomplish a work for our LORD. Sometimes I take them out of school and take a day trip. Sometimes it's a super fun home night especially planned my them. A little thanks goes a LONG way!
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