FAMILY-LED CHURCH SERVICES

Once a month, ask a different family or a group of several families to lead the entire church service. Both adults and children can take part in leading the singing, scripture reading, prayer, special music, children’s story, and sermon. If the family does not feel comfortable sharing the sermon, they can ask the pastor or a guest speaker.

CHILDREN’S STORY

Invite the children to come to the front of the church and sit together, facing the storyteller. Some churches have the children collect a special “lamb’s offering” just before the story. Children collect the money from the congregation and place it in a special container.

CHILDREN’S HYMN

Incorporate a hymn or song the children know that appeals to them. It does not have to be from the church hymnal. Encourage the congregation to learn a song the children enjoy and sing it with them. Use the children as a part of the praise and worship team that leads music in your church.

CHILDREN’S BULLETINS

Ask a volunteer to prepare a children’s bulletin each week. Give it to the children as they enter the church. Incorporate an activity (puzzle, word search, etc.) illustrating the main point of the pastor’s sermon and include a picture for non-readers to color.

QUIET BAGS

Make small cloth bags containing a hard book, paper and crayons, a soft quiet toy, and a picture with removable vinyl stickers. Keep these bags on hand to loan to parents or caregivers for very young children to use during the service. Collect the bags for refilling and storage until the next Sabbath.

SPECIAL MUSIC

Invite children to sing or play instruments for special music instead of always asking adults to share. Children can be included in the regular choir, or else you could start a children’s choir, inviting community children to join. Children who play musical instruments can also perform for song service, offertory, or prelude. This encourages children to practice so they can use their skills in church as they grow more proficient.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Older children can read scripture and lead the responsive readings in the back of the  hymnal. They can lead out individually or together with their family. Including children on the platform demonstrates that they are part of the church family.

Reprinted from the Quick Start Guide for Children’s Church