Family Worship
In the old sitcom Arrested Development, one of the characters named Buster attended Milford Academy. The school motto is “where children are neither seen nor heard,” and I sometimes feel that this is what is expected in churches. We want children to be part of church, but during worship, many want them to be neither seen nor heard, so that we ‘adults’ can focus and concentrate on our worship.
Before I joined COAH, I knew that COAH had monthly family worship services for many years, and I always thought that was amazing. I’m not sure exactly why the previous leadership decided this, but I always believe it was a wise and good move for English Ministry. So, I wanted to use this pastoral letter to share with you some of my thoughts on family worship.
First, there are many biblical reasons why I believe that “family worship” is good for our congregation. For example, we are told in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 that we pass down the faith to the future generation.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV)
6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
And one of the best ways we can do this is to worship together as a family. For parents to model for their children how to worship. And I’m reminded by what Jesus said to his disciples when they were preventing children from coming to him.
Matthew 19:13–15 (ESV)
13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.
That Jesus wanted the children to come to him, that we should welcome children to the Lord.
In the article, All You Need to Know About Intergenerational Worship, the author states this fact:
“First, there’s been a rapid decline in church attendance from the Millennial generation, and some research indicates that one reason is a sense of “not belonging” in the large-church assembly. Fuller Youth Institute released a study in 2010 that traced church attendance of youth group graduates and found that those who chose to stay in church often did so because of relationships they had with adult members. In fact, “involvement in intergenerational worship and relationships had one of the most robust correlations with faith maturity,” Dr. Kara Powell notes in the article entitled “The Church Sticking Together.””
Personally, for me, having children in our worship service reminds us of our commitment we make as a congregation to watch and support parents to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. For it reminds me that I am to pray for them, that they are part of our church community, that they are children of our church family. It makes me happy to see kids, who were infant baptized now participate in our worship, as they sing, follow the actions, and try their best to sit through the sermon.
Second, we call it family worship, to capture the idea that it is an intergenerational worship, where different generations are represented in our worship. Part of me feels that it might be better to call it “Intergenerational Worship” instead of “family worship” to welcome everybody from different generations, even if they don’t come with their families. But there is a part of me that wants to keep it as “family worship” to capture the idea that we are to come together as God’s children as a big family to worship our Heavenly Father.
Third, I still see our “family worship” as a work in progress, that there are areas that need to be improved so that it can be more engaging to all generations, to have more involvement, and to learn from each other, so that our worship truly glorifies God.
Finally, I want to encourage and thank the young parents for being patient and sitting with your children. I know at times it might not be easy, but I’m glad you are there with them in worship. Yes, at times you might feel that they might be too distracting, but it’s okay, for the presence of children in our worship is a sign of a healthy congregation, that there is a next generation of worshipers growing up in our church.
Blessings,
Pastor Kyu
Here are some additional articles that might be worth reading about intergenerational woship:
All you need to Know About Intergenerational Worship - https://childrensministry.com/intergenerational-worship/
Why Your Youth Group Needs Generational Integration - https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-your-youth-group-needs-generational-integration/
The What and How of Intergenerational Worship - https://theresaecho.com/2011/09/15/the-what-and-how-of-intergenerational-worship/