Hard preaching vs spiritual growth for children

ml5363

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Hi my family and I was invited to a church almost 4 years ago. We loved it ( we had been out of regular church going 15 years previous), great sermons, traditional music, spirit of God was present, Bible preaching, soul winning

Cons: very small ..most time there 15-25 people total...at times when we first started some evening service were only 5 or 6 people... We thought about leaving last summer...did visit a couple churches but went back...

Now I feel like we are not growing anymore, preaching seems same...and the biggest problem is no kids there but mine, I was saved at 14 so my friends in group were an important part of my life...I want that for mine

Also my hubby, and kids, plus my in-laws all were saved there...

Advice?
 

Aldrin25

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Hi my family and I was invited to a church almost 4 years ago. We loved it ( we had been out of regular church going 15 years previous), great sermons, traditional music, spirit of God was present, Bible preaching, soul winning

Cons: very small ..most time there 15-25 people total...at times when we first started some evening service were only 5 or 6 people... We thought about leaving last summer...did visit a couple churches but went back...

Now I feel like we are not growing anymore, preaching seems same...and the biggest problem is no kids there but mine, I was saved at 14 so my friends in group were an important part of my life...I want that for mine

Also my hubby, and kids, plus my in-laws all were saved there...

Advice?
It's okay if you will transfer to another church as long as it will benefit to your relationship with the Lord or you can stay there to help them grow it in a healthy way. You can give them a suggestion what they are lacking.

You need to pray for this and do the devotion. =)

This is my struggle before, but when fast and pray, then I transferred to another church, I didn't regret it.
 
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Sketcher

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Hi my family and I was invited to a church almost 4 years ago. We loved it ( we had been out of regular church going 15 years previous), great sermons, traditional music, spirit of God was present, Bible preaching, soul winning

Cons: very small ..most time there 15-25 people total...at times when we first started some evening service were only 5 or 6 people... We thought about leaving last summer...did visit a couple churches but went back...
If there's soul-winning, why don't more of those souls stay?

Now I feel like we are not growing anymore, preaching seems same...and the biggest problem is no kids there but mine, I was saved at 14 so my friends in group were an important part of my life...I want that for mine

Also my hubby, and kids, plus my in-laws all were saved there...

Advice?
How old are your kids, if you don't mind me asking?
 
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tturt

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Think we're to go where The Lord wants us to attend.

With the preaching being the same, maybe take the sermon and use it as a study guide to get what you need or listen/read other ministers' sermons.

As far as the children, what about getting more kids to come? Offer snacks and play time for socializing after the services. Your church sounds like just the place for their spiritual lives to develop particularly if they stay with the adults.
 
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ml5363

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If there's soul-winning, why don't more of those souls stay?
We meet most people knocking doors, most never set foot in our church. Only seen 2 or 3 come from that last 4 years

How old are your kids, if you don't mind me asking?
16,12,7
 
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ml5363

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Think we're to go where The Lord wants us to attend.

I agree. Have been praying hard.. last year we were thinking about switching,,felt anxious, guilty for searching..today I feel okay..

With the preaching being the same, maybe take the sermon and use it as a study guide to get what you need or listen/read other ministers' sermons.
That's what I have been doing..I am getting more out of my Bible study with three other ladies from different churches, and my personal reading time...I do still feel holy spirit often at my church
As far as the children, what about getting more kids to come? Offer snacks and play time for socializing after the services. Your church sounds like just the place for their spiritual lives to develop particularly if they stay with the adults.
We have tried and been praying from the beginning for new kids/ members...only had 4 new members last 4 years..2 are still there
 
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Sketcher

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A youth group at another church may be good for the 16 year old, and if there's a junior high group for the 12 year old, I'd recommend that. You all can still go to the Sunday service at your present church while you do that.
 
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ml5363

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If there's soul-winning, why don't more of those souls stay?
We go door to door...most of time they never show up at church ..only seen a couple last four years...in this modern age..our church being really conservative...doesn't sit well with others I guess .and lack of children.. and ministries...we have a nursing home ministry which is a handful of men.. and soul winning

How old are your kids, if you don't mind me asking?
 
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rainingviolets

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My daughter is the children's director at their church, a very small congregation, and she is forever emailing me about this same problem and "picking my brain" (as she calls it) whenever we're together. For over 30 years I was extremely involved in all aspects of children's ministry in the church we previously attended. My grown children have wonderful memories of Vacation Bible School, children's musicals, junior and tot's church, AWANA, and all kinds of wonderful children's activities. I'll tell you exactly the same thing I told her. The reason you have no parents with children at your church is because the people in leadership don't think of children as a vitally important part of the Lord's kingdom today or in the future. I sat in countless Christian Ed board meetings and Deacon/Deaconness meetings where we discussed how the first thing that prospective new members look at when visiting a new church for the first time is their children's ministries, programs, and activities. Our children's wing hallway had brightly painted walls with Bible characters, a large ark, a gorgeous rainbow, etc. All that took was the cost of some paint and some volunteers on a couple of Saturday afternoons. I could fill this post with the incredible, fun activities we did with our kids that encouraged their parents to bring them to church, made their children beg to come, and built a strong spiritual foundation in the hearts and minds of the young people. As one of the busy involved adults, I also had a great time serving in this important ministry. Last week my daughter, battling her issues with anxiety, attended a church meeting where she surprised everyone by giving a speech about the importance of children in the Lord's kingdom, how that church did nothing but babysit, the lack of commitment among the children's volunteers, etc. By the time she was through she had a willing army of volunteers, funds for her ideas, and important staff to come along side her to help get things started.

The first thing you need is for the entire church - starting with the pastor - to change how they view God's youngest members of His kingdom. You will never become a thriving GROWING fellowship without them. If you'd ever like to talk more about this, message me. Children's ministries - from one-on-one witnessing, to teaching, to creating games and activities, to designing and creating scenery for children's musicals, to writing curriculum, to baking cookies was my "thing" until chronic pain overtook my life. Now I spend a lot of quality, fun time with grandkids teaching them God's Word in "creative" ways.
 
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