I reviewed “Making Worship Meaningful for Children” resource. I choose this resource based on the title before I even opened to explore. I work as the Director of Children/Family Ministry and in this role am responsible for overseeing Birth to 6th Grade at my Church. A common complaint I deal with is Parents not wanting to deal with their Children on Sunday mornings during Church. I also hear the other end of it from Adults in the Congregation without Children not appreciating the noise level that Children often bring when part of the Worship experience. I was hoping this piece would give me feedback on how to manage both.

I found this resource to be extremely short. There was not a lot of content given. They highlighted several bullet points but never went in depth with their thoughts. I did not learn anything new from this resource. It is all the same old adage about Children & Worship.

I wish this resource would explain for parents exactly how to accomplish what it is suggesting of them. How do you talk to your Child after Worship? What types of questions would engage a young Child?

I thought the piece about having a non-parent ask to sit with a Child every other month was strange. I am not sure I would want my Child to be sitting with someone else during Worship. Worship is a personal experience and one that revolves around the Community but in my opinion the Community of Family. Having your Child away from you during Service, does not promote that closeness. Trust also comes into play here. Do you trust the person who would ask for your Child to sit near them? And would your Child even feel comfortable?

Overall I was disappointed with this resource. It has great bones but needs more meat!