Worship

To the Outrageously Fabulous Parents with Your Kids in Church: I Salute You

Having your kids in church with you is hard. And it matters. I promise.

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DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF COPY TO GIVE TO FAMILIES: This is our encouragement letter to all the parents out there, and we think families in your congregations might really enjoy reading it. Click here to download a copy to share with families at your church or parents you know.

You Are Fabulous

To all the parents out there: You are fabulous. Yes, you! I guarantee you that you’re better at raising kids than you often think you are. And all you’re investing in those little humans is already at work in them. This is true even on those days (yes, even those days), when there isn’t even a glimmer of confirmation of that fact.

I see you showing up to church with your arms full. In one hand, the snack bag, a tiny hand in the other and the diaper bag slung over one shoulder. And off you jog after your other little one who’s charging across the parking lot, while shouting back to your oldest, still dawdling, “Lock the car when you get out!”

I know you’re already tired from last night’s less-than-luxurious night of sleep. Yesterday, you were probably at a tournament for your oldest before rushing over to that afternoon swim party.

And, yet, you’re here.

And even when you’re not here…we still think you’re fabulous. We all know that church attendance is not what it was back in the day, and we’re not bemoaning that. Really. We get it. This life stuff…it’s hard. And busy. And filled with many wonderful opportunities for children and youth. And with the schedule of so many families today, sometimes what a family needs more than anything is the chance to just be together on a Sunday morning.

But when you are able to make it to worship, we know the question you might be asking as you pull into the church parking lot…

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“Is It Worth It?!”

You probably wonder if it’s worth it. Does it really matter that you show up at church on Sunday morning? Is it making a difference to anyone that you scramble to get everyone dressed and out the door to be here?

Parenting is hard. It’s so rich and beautiful, lovely and heart-expanding. It’s more than any of us ever imagined it would be. More joyous, more disappointing, more invigorating and more demanding.

And I’m here to tell you that in the midst of all the more-ness of parenting, I’m in awe of you. I don’t need to know you. If you’re the parent who’s reading a blog about having kids in church, I can definitively say I am in awe of you.

And when you invest in having your kids in church – it matters.

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Kids in Church Matters

Kids in church matters to the congregation.

Your family brings with it the gift of your children’s voices. From the sweet sound of their singing to their unassuming (sometimes loud) questions, children invite joy.

When kids are in church, we are all reminded that it’s simply about showing up as we are to worship together. Children’s unfiltered curiosity and authenticity consistently help us let go of our pretense. For this reason, children force us to let go of the notion that worship is an hour-long performance.

Life is messy and unpredictable, and a life of faith isn’t any different. Thank goodness your kids are in church, so we don’t forget that piece of wisdom.

Also, God’s family in it’s most vibrant expression is diverse. So, when we’re all together, we are at our best. We remain the most supple of heart and mind, learning Spirit’s teachings through one another.

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Being in church matters to your kids.

A faith community’s life together is the absolute best teaching tool a church has. Children learn most effectively through observing others. And what better way for them to understand a relationship with God than by watching their spiritual grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles walk the road?

Having your kids in church teaches them that their presence and their worship matters. When children are a part of worship, we show them that they are enough just the way they are.

Your investment in them, pushing to make it here on Sunday morning is nurturing their faith, showing them what it looks like to love God and how valuable they are, merely by being.

Thank You

And you’re doing it. Great job! And thank you. I share with you my sincere gratitude on behalf of all churches everywhere, because what you’re doing is hard and because it matters to us all.

Astoundingly Simple Tips for Your Best-Ever Backpack Blessing

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Holding a backpack blessing during worship is a great way to encourage students preparing for the new school year.

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What’s a Backpack Blessing?

A backpack blessing is a moment set aside during your worship service to encourage students. Doing so celebrates with the excited, and soothes the anxious. No matter the age or how a student is feeling about the upcoming school year, a backpack blessing is a valuable ritual within a faith family.

Students bring their backpack with them to church on an assigned morning. Then, if the worship space is conducive, they head up front with their bag and receive a blessing. Often, students receive a tag to put on their backpack that reminds them of this special blessing.

Are you doing a backpack blessing at your church? We’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments down below.

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Why Do a Backpack Blessing?

Lots of feelings surround the start of a new school year. Some students are over the moon. Others are made nauseous by the thought of a new teacher, class, maybe even a new school. That was me. The thought of school starting would cause my stomach to turn immediately. And some kids don’t care all that much one way or another.

No matter where a kid is on that emotional continuum, ritual offers something for everyone. When we gather to reflect on such a moment of time, we find comfort, grounding and a sense of added significance.

Also, a chapter’s beginning is an important time to recognize God’s faithfulness and care. God walks with us always and sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen and equip us for all the steps we take in life. Don’t worry….God’s Got Your Back! 🙂

Seizing opportunities to highlight this informs our children’s and youth’s faith journeys.

Additionally, we highlight for students what a blessing education and access to it is. Gratitude is the basis for joy, so we offer our young ones a gift when we teach them to search for God’s provision.

Not only that, but we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Take the time to dream about how they might be a blessing in their school and community.

Searching for something concrete? Invest in girls’ education through The Revolutionary Underground Foundation, an organization and girls’ school started in 2006. Their mission is to provide girls and young women in Africa access to learning resources and technology, leadership training and emotional support, focusing on empowering them to become vessels for change.

Helpful Tips for Your Backpack Blessing

Place backpacks up front when students arrive. As a result, they won’t have an issue in getting out of their row to go down front for the blessing during the service.
Ask that the students arrive a few minutes early to go over what they and their parents can expect.
Have the students leave their backpacks up front after the blessing. Once the service is over, invite families to retrieve their children’s backpacks.
Take a photo of all the students with their backpacks to share on social media. Also, it makes a significant impact to mail a print of the picture to the students with a card of encouragement.
Communicate with parents who may need financial assistance for purchasing their children’s backpacks. Coordinate acquiring them before the blessing so their children have a backpack there.

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Variations on the Backpack Blessing

Include all those connected to the education system and parents in the blessing.
Invite students of all ages to participate, not only children and youth.
If students aren’t often present in worship, meet for a backpack blessing at their schools one morning the week classes begin.
Host an end of summer all-church cookout and incorporate the backpack blessing there.
Gift teachers, administrator, janitors, bus drivers, crossing guards, etc. with a pair of scissors decorated with a tag that reads: “You’re a Cut Above the Rest!”

We hope this post has been helpful and that your backpack blessing is a wonderful time to celebrate the coming season and God’s faithfulness within it. Don’t forget to share with us what you’re doing to welcome the school year in the comments below!

And of course, if you’re still looking for a fun and creative new backpack tag to use, be sure to check out our newest “God’s Got Your Back” backpack tag! We also have last year’s tag still available, which says, “Blessed to Be a Blessing” (available in both English and Spanish). You can order your backpack tags below, and also browse through some photos from folks in our community who have used our tags!

ORDER NOW
Blessed to Be a Blessing (available in Spanish as well)

Coloring a LOT of “God’s Got Your Back” backpack tags

Intergenerational Ministry: 5 Reasons It’s Absolutely Essential for Church Health

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

An intergenerational ministry is essential to church health. Read on and find out why we think it’s a must for a thriving community of faith.

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Also, if you’re in the market for great ways to foster intergenerational ministry in your church, take a look at our post here. How are you living out intergenerational ministry in your church? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

Intergenerational Ministry Provides Varied Leadership Perspectives

When your group of leaders has a diverse range of background and context, the same will be true of the wider church. And, as a result, your church will meet the needs of more demographics by way of intergenerational ministry.

This means your church will be prepared to potentially serve more people. And this will lead to a better retention rate of those coming through your doors. Additionally, people’s theological perspectives will be challenged and ideologies will be examined. Though this can cause some discomfort, it also facilitates spiritual growth and humility.

When building the leadership of your church, consider the age make-up at each level. Those invited to serve in a leadership capacity are more often than not, older adults. Each generation brings to the table a unique perspective. So, include a wide range of ages on governing bodies and ministry teams. Children, even if accompanied by a parent, can make fantastic leaders with creative ideas.

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Intergenerational Ministry Offers Fresh Ideas

Intergenerational ministry gives space for members of all ages to share what they hope for and imagine. First, when one age group is privileged over all others, things remain relatively constant. This is lovely and comfortable and nostalgic for that group. However, what has always been done is often not best for progress and church growth.

Each generation’s struggles are both unique and universal. As a result, commonality and difference are discovered when young, old, and all in between share their ideas together.

This is wonderful for several reasons. First, each generation learns something new. Second, creativity is given life. Third, never-before-imagined events are tried. Fourth, more people in the congregation take ownership of what takes place.

So, encourage all ages to share their ideas and give outlets for expression. Include individuals from a wide range of age groups in brainstorming sessions, for example. Alternatively, create mixed small groups or host a coloring night for all ages.

Ask children, youth, young adults, families, retirees, the elderly what they would love to see happen in the church. Will any church be able to give breath to all the ideas? No, yet some will make the cut. As a result, more people will feel valued and served.

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Intergenerational Ministry Includes the Marginalized

Many times, those not catered to in ministry have lost their voices. As a result, they don’t have a platform for sharing their hopes and needs. Therefore, the church isn’t able to see and hear the marginalized. This means they likely won’t stick around. And who can blame them for leaving?

Often, we speak of marginalization in terms of sexuality, gender, ability or ethnicity. Yet, marginalization happens around age, too. Routinely, faith communities exclude children, the elderly, single parents, and young unmarried professionals.

When practicing intergenerational ministry, the church hears and sees the marginalized. As a result, ministries transform to include those often left out of programmatic decisions. Also, more people connect to what the church has to offer.

God calls each gathering of Jesus followers to watch out for and cater to those on the edges. Marginalization almost always happens thoughtlessly. So, pay close attention to who your church includes most obviously. Then, stretch the boundaries.

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Intergenerational Ministry Creates Connections

We are communal creatures who have spent almost our entire history living in multigenerational groups. We thrive in this environment as we hear stories of where we’ve come from and who we are. Especially as families spread around the country and globe we lose this connection.

Churches, particularly those in suburban and urban locales, are a bunch of people from varied pasts and presents all gathering together. As a result, one has the opportunity to know people one would never otherwise encounter if they’re a part of a church family.

When intergenerational ministry is done with intention, people from different generations make connections that would likely never occur outside the church.

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Intergenerational Ministry Fosters Spiritual Formation

Throughout scripture, faith is an intergenerational reality. The young and old learn from and care for each other. They challenge one another to release their assumptions, think differently, and to practice compassion. Even today, thousands of years later, we read the scriptures told and retold by our spiritual ancestors. It turns out that Bible reading itself is intergenerational.

In God’s family, there is no hierarchy of power. Consequently, no matter one’s age, we are all teachers and learners. We are co-creators with the Divine and with one another. God calls us to guide one another in love and humility, holding fast to the love of God as our rule.

How much deeper is a faith that is rooted in the experience of those who have lived before and in the experience of one’s own life? And how much value is in the life and developing ideals of a culture that has grown up after your own identity and perspective has hardened some?

We each bear God’s image. So, of course, we discover our connection to the Divine as we encounter one another. It’s as though we plant seeds in each other’s hearts and minds that give way to growth, beauty and even more seeds we can then plant in the world.

For even more reading about the value of intergenerational ministry head over here to the Fuller Youth Institute.