Comments on: Online Church? What about the kids?

By: Kendra Golden

Kendra Golden — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:14:07 +0000

Thanks for sharing! I hadn’t seen that yet. That family travels all over Europe establishing relationships with other churches there for LifeChurch.tv. Their mobile lifestyle really necessitates this choice for their family. I would think many of our Church Online attenders would have other options as well. I think effectiveness would vary dramatically based on the age and developmental level of your kids. My 12yo loves going to church with us and thinks our pastor is hilarious and he gets what he’s talking about. But I wouldn’t consider it church for my 8yo and 4yo.

In the same way that some parents are able to educate their children at home, spiritual development can occur at home well too. But I would think the same amount (or even more) intentionality and planning should go into it.

If I home schooled, I wouldn’t just let my kids watch me balance my checkbook and discuss our finances and count that as math. I would carefully select curriculum and teach it on a daily basis. The same should go with spiritual development. I support families choosing Church Online for their families, but I would be just as choosy with that as I hope parents are with where they attend a physical church.

By: Kenny

Kenny — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:48:24 +0000

Jonathan, I wasn’t imagining necessarily a 15-20 minute program that they watch with their kids. I guess it could be though. I imagined a 5 minute deal that sets the stage for what is to happen throughout the week (table discussions, car conversations). Perhaps there is programing for the kids to engage with on their own (games to play and videos to watch), but the true learning will hopefully be done throughout the week as parents engages with their kids through discussion prompted by questions provided.

I don’t know… just thinking out loud.

By: Sarah Thompson

Sarah Thompson — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:43:49 +0000

If it works then it’s because the parents already have the tools to get their kids involved and grow through an grown up experience – they know how to talk about it during the week, they know how to show their kids that they value serving the church by demonstrating it etc. Exactly the same things that it takes for a physical church going family bring their kids up to follow Jesus.

I like the idea of preteens having friends over and and watching/discussing it together and I know a lot of kids who would do that. I also know a lot of kids who need to be lead.

I personally value kids building relationships in a church community with both other kids and other safe adults that follow Jesus. Is it possible to build the depth of relationships online as it is in a physical church community?

By: jonathan

jonathan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:34:47 +0000

I wonder how many parents would stick around for a 15-20 minute children’s/parents online program after experiencing a 60 minute online adult experience? I think there are so many great things that could be done, but at the same time it’s shaky, fragile ground for #kidmin in the online world.

I look forward to imagining what could be…
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