large and growing, find it difficult to sit still for a long period of time. Even if they are “ sitting still,” they are probably perfect ing their art ability, eating crack ers, or reading — none of which is aiding their worship of the Lord! What’s more, this is teach ing children that church is a place to play and a place where they need not pay attention. Q. Even so, isn’t it better to have the family together for worship? A . Let me answer this with other questions. How much of the adult worship service is on a child’s level of understanding? Does he understand words such as justi fication, regeneration, righteous ness ? Can children really compre hend many of the adult-level hymns? Are the applications in most sermons beamed to chil dren’s life needs? Can children really worship the Lord intelli gently and meaningfully in adult church? Q. Should children of all ages be grouped together for children’s church? A . In Sunday schools, children are grouped by departments be cause it has been proved that children can best learn God’s Word in that way. Why not fol low the same grouping in chil dren’s church — with a separate program for each o f these four departments: Nursery, Beginner, Primary, and Junior? If you can’t provide for all four departments at first, start with the Nursery and Beginner departments and later add the Primary and Jun ior programs. Q. How would you suggest start ing a children’s church program? A . At the Church of the OpenDoor in Los Angeles, I showed the Scripture Press children’s church filmstrip “ Is Church For Adults Only?” to my Christian education board. Then we chose leaders for the departments (including a number of men!)
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Q. Some people object to chil dren’s church — to the idea of having children up through the Junior Department in their own departmental worship services. Why do you f a v o r children’s church? A . I believe in children’s church because I believe in worship. If children — as well as youth and adults — are to worship the Lord meaningfully and wholeheartedly, they need a well-conducted chil dren’s church. Only in a service planned for them can they learn — on their own level of spiritual and mental comprehension — what genuine worship is and how to worship. What’s more, in adult services children disturb others by climb ing up and down on the pews, squirming about in seats that were designed for adults (and therefore uncomfortable for chil dren) whispering, coloring, eat ing or writing notes. Q. But isn’t there value in teach ing children the discipline o f sit ting quietly in adult worship services ? A. Many adults have said that be cause they as children were made to sit through long church serv ices, they are not interested in attending church now. Children w hose muscles are
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