People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Preparing for the Arrival of Families with Young Children
by James W. Moss, Sr.
Infant Changing Table Purchased for Women’s Rest Room
“A Koala Bear Kare™ baby changing station has been purchased and installed in the Women’s Restroom on the basement level of our church building. . . . There are also plans to provide a changing table in the area adjacent to the rest room between the nursery and kindergarten class rooms. . . . This might not seem like anything of major importance, but the thought behind these improvements is significant. We want young parents with children to feel welcome at our church and we want to make their time with us as convenient as we can. The same outlook motivated our decision to buy the high chairs and booster seats for fellowship hall. We want young families and their children to feel welcome at our church.” (Reprinted with permission from the March 1998 newsletter of First Reformed Church, Sunbury, Pa.)
The first time I wrote the title for this article it was “Preparing for the Arrival of Young Families with Children.” Then a light came on. Increasing numbers of families are having their first child much later in life. Also, a number of grandparents are raising their grandchildren and bringing them to church.
So the title was transformed. You may have small children and not be young by the traditional definition.
I am referring to children through the second grade when referring to young children.
If you wish to keep families with young children or attract new families with children, you have to prepare for them before they arrive. You have but one chance to make a first impression.
I stood next to the nursery in a church I visited. A new family brought their small child. They looked at the inadequate child care provisions. They looked at each other and shook their heads. They picked up their child and turned and walked out the door and left. They didn’t even stay for the service. This is not an isolated incident in today’s church.
Here are some pointers in preparing for families with young children:
1. Select quality rooms for the classes for young children. See that they are brightly and freshly painted with appropriate decorations. Especially check and upgrade the lighting if necessary.
2. Do a thorough cleaning. Remove all clutter. Shampoo the carpet or polish the floors.
3. Remove all damaged furniture. Purchase furniture that is appropriate for the need.
4. Remove all broken and dirty toys. Purchase appropriate toys for the children who will attend. Make sure that furniture and toys are age appropriate.
5. Recruit teachers for the classes of small children and for the nursery. Provide training for them. Do so even if no children are in attendance.
Have teachers ready and committed so there will be a class if there is only one pupil. If this is your situation, purchase some undated material. That way a current lesson can be taught without wasting material.
Parents must sense the teachers love the children they are teaching. There has to be a healthy teacher/pupil ratio. There probably needs to be one adult for each four children.
6. Teach small children. Don’t just babysit. Parents expect there will be Bible lessons. Quality take home pieces are important for the parents to see what the children are being taught.
7. Many families with young children desire to attend worship and have their children adequately cared for some place else in the facility.
8. Offer something for the parents of small children to attract them to be present.
A quality children’s program is a pre-requisite to attracting and holding families with small children. Remember: it is important to prepare before the young families arrive.
The following are good books to read:
 | Elizabeth J. Sandell. Including Children in Worship. Augsburg Press, 1991. |
| Jan Kershner, Mix and Match Ideas for Preschool Ministry. Group, 1997 |
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Read about Jim's seminars and books.
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April 29, 1998. Volume 1, Issue 4. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.