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[Poll]
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Whole community worshipping together
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| Should always be segregated by sex. |
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| Should always be segregated by age. |
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| Should always all be together |
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| Should have time on SUnday AM together and time age segregated. |
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Total Votes : 11
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(last vote on : 5/18/2008 8:46:51 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:02:12 PM
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zoebob
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After reading some other threads around here it got me wondering. Is there/should there be a regular time when the whole community of a local congregation worships together or should it always be segregated in some way as in age, gender, other.
< Message edited by zoebob -- 5/15/2008 12:09:32 PM >
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:04:16 PM
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stellaluna
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I'm not sure I understand the question. Why would any worship be limited by gender or age? (I wasn't sure how to vote.)
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:10:32 PM
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JimboFletch
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If I understand:
We have everyone meet for worship, praise, and sermons, except for those in the nursery.
Bible study is often, but not entirely, segregated by age and, sometimes, gender. While structured by age group, anyone can join in any Bible study class they want.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:16:03 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JimboFletch
If I understand:
We have everyone meet for worship, praise, and sermons, except for those in the nursery.
Bible study is often, but not entirely, segregated by age and, sometimes, gender. While structured by age group, anyone can join in any Bible study class they want.
This is how our church is. And there are a fair number of nursery-aged ones as well in the regular worship service.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:17:24 PM
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zoebob
Posts: 8878
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That's what I'm getting at Jimbo. There are many on here that have basically said or implied that the Sunday morning worship service should only be for adults or those that can be perfectly behaved. Anyone under about 12 can't possibly understand a sermon geared toward adults and so should be in their own class. This seems to eliminate any corporate worship.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:37:33 PM
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kernsfamily
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not sure what that means, either.
If it's any help, I can share that our church has several "Bible study/sunday school class" times....and church/worship service times. They are as follows:
Saturdays: 4:45 and 7:30 p.m. (you choose which one....it depends on which hour the class is that you want to go to)
Church is at 6:00 pm
Sundays: 8:00, 9:15 and 11:00 a.m.....these are "Bible Study/sunday school class times. again, you really only go to ONE.
Church is at 9:15 and 11:00
We go to church at 9:15, and then Bible Study afterward. No special reason. We just like church first.
EVERYONE is welcome at all services. Regardless of age, gender, etc..etc...(never heard of age/gender segregation)
As "JimboFletch" mentioned, our "bible study' classes are roughly divided by age....but, those are there as "guidelines" more than anything, just to try help you find the place that you "fit in" best.
also, our 11:00 am services are broadcast live over the internet....many, many people around the world "log in".....
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:44:31 PM
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kernsfamily
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zoebob
That's what I'm getting at Jimbo. There are many on here that have basically said or implied that the Sunday morning worship service should only be for adults or those that can be perfectly behaved. Anyone under about 12 can't possibly understand a sermon geared toward adults and so should be in their own class. This seems to eliminate any corporate worship.
After I typed up my first response, then this one popped up.
In our church, we do have nursery....and an incredible children's ministry....
You're not "required" to put your kids in nursery or whatever for church services, BUT, they certainly learn ALOT more in their classes than they would sitting in church...
BUT, once you start 1st grade, it's set up in a way that the kids must attend church with your parents.
For instance, right now, our Kindergartener goes to her sunday school class for the entire time we are at church and in OUR bible study classes.
This fall, though, she will be going into "big" church with us. Then to her sunday school class when we go to ours afterward.
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Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 12:55:35 PM
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zoebob
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My personal feelings on the ideal:
SS classes that are age separated by kids and if the church is big enough a couple themed classes for adults.
During the church service time anyone is welcome in the service. Nursery available for birth through toddlers: up to about 2.
Jr church is OK up to about K and only dismiss at the sermon.
After K everyone should be in the service for the whole time. THere is a time to learn by ages: that is SS. The worship service is a corporate worship experience for all ages even if they are a little squirmy and aren't perfectly behaved. The worship service should be for everyone...not just adults.
Our church traditionally has communion following the sermon so the kids from 3-K never saw it. After one little boy asked about it because there was no Jr church one week for some reason our pastor has started having it before the sermon occasionally so the younger kids can be there and see it and learn about it.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 1:37:15 PM
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sparkleingsnow
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I think everyone should be together during the worship service. A nursery is ok if wanted/needed, but if the parents want to keep the baby with them during worship, that is great.
Then sunday school/Bible study broken up by age (and if big enough adult differences) so classes are best suited to meet the needs, level of understanding of the students.
Anyone who thinks that a child doesn't hear just because he doesn't look like he's listening has a lot to learn about children.
And anyone who doesn't want to be bothered by an unrulely child from time to time, needs to think more about the whole "body" (that includes the children), and not just they're selfs.
I think it's importen for children to learn to worship with the whole body, to feel a part of it, and to see they're own parents worship.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 1:41:07 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
I think it's importen for children to learn to worship with the whole body, to feel a part of it, and to see they're own parents worship.
I agree this is very important, from as young as possible.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 1:52:28 PM
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bluestone
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I suppose I disagree here.
screaming, screeching babies, children who run over and under pews, parents that look at their child disrupting the service with that "Isn't my child precious?" look on their faces should all be removed from the main service, and worship or whatever they call what they are doing (I call in playing and encouraging play) in another part of the church.
If people can not hear or follow the sermon due to distractions from children who are not being controlled by parents, action from leadership should be taken.
Satan uses any means available to take people's attention off of the preaching.
Disruptive children in a church service are a lot like fish in a refrigerator when the power goes out...both should be removed immediately.
and Yes, mine went in the nursery, and if they had to be in the service, I took them to the parking lot and gave them a spanking it they misbehaved.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 1:56:20 PM
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doinkdom
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We have corporate family "music" worship with everybody.
When we sit down to worship by reading/listening to God's word (i.e. sermon), those who want to can go to age appropriate versions of the sermon with application for them. It's not mandantory but available and ecnouraged for the children to learn how to interact with others their own age in a biblical manner.
There is no nursery.
With our church plant - we will probably do whatever the group wants to do since that's what we're about. I would love to see the daddy's talk with their children on Suday afternoons about what the sermon would look like in their lives and help them put that into action.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 1:57:36 PM
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stellaluna
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I don't think you're necessarily disagreeing. I think all would agree a disruptive child should be removed. But the idea that a child might misbehave shouldn't mean children are always segregated...right?
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 2:18:25 PM
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doinkdom
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Oh yeh, we also allow children to serve as ushers, greeters, etc.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/15/2008 11:59:53 PM
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elliemaejune
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zoebob
That's what I'm getting at Jimbo. There are many on here that have basically said or implied that the Sunday morning worship service should only be for adults or those that can be perfectly behaved. Anyone under about 12 can't possibly understand a sermon geared toward adults and so should be in their own class. This seems to eliminate any corporate worship.
Well, although I think it's a good thing for a church body to be together, I can't get worked up over the concept of "corporate worship," as there's more that goes on than worship when we all come together. I know that many people lump everything that goes on as "worship," but I don't see it that way.
I think age-appropriate Sunday school classes are good and useful, but I also think it's good for all of the members of a church to come together to sing and praise and worship and be instructed/encouraged/corrected by the pastor.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/16/2008 8:05:44 AM
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bluestone
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I feel that children should go into their age group Sunday School class, not come along with the parents to the adult class. I have seen people whose kids don't "want" to go to Sunday school, so they come in with the parents, get bored, and disrupt the flow of dialogue. Sometimes certain subjects presented just are not what children need to hear.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/16/2008 8:32:44 AM
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SonInMe1
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With the exception of the little babies, our children's ministries teach the kids when they go there during the service. Its NOT a babysitting. Its a classroom.
quote:
and Yes, mine went in the nursery, and if they had to be in the service, I took them to the parking lot and gave them a spanking it they misbehaved.
amen and amen. There is NO reason for unruly children. If they cannot sit through the sermon they should not be there. That is whatever age that happens to be. I have seen adults act worse than some 5 year olds.
We also have two rooms at the back of the sanctuary that are glassed in quiet rooms for mothers with infants that can see and hear the sermon but we cannot hear them.
We have many classes for everyone at church from little toddlers to teen groups, to older seasoned saints to single groups to my bible study, the First Group who meet before the first service Sunday at 7:30 am. ( Works for me because I work nights )
Its not manditory the kids go into the kids classrooms but it is encouraged.
I will say again, though, because I think it needs to be said again....grown-ups act just as bad as kids do in church. I like sitting in different spots in the sanctuary, usually up front because fewer people are in a running dialogue in the first few rows. In the back? Its like...why do you go to church if all you do is talk for the entire hour...and nothing to do with God or the sermon?????
I will add...one time an evangilist was preaching..all fired up and ya know how they ask ya to say amen. Well, after one statement, I guess some toddler just got into the flow and yelled out AMEN!!!...in his/her little voice. It was sooo special.... 
I have no problem with children who can pay attention in church. Who can sit in one spot, face forward and concentrated on the sermon.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/16/2008 8:49:56 AM
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zoebob
Posts: 8878
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From: land of limbo
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bluestone
I feel that children should go into their age group Sunday School class, not come along with the parents to the adult class. I have seen people whose kids don't "want" to go to Sunday school, so they come in with the parents, get bored, and disrupt the flow of dialogue. Sometimes certain subjects presented just are not what children need to hear.
So you only have SS classes? Or are SS classes during chruch service. I have no problem with age appropriate SS classes if there is also a corporate church service. If a topic is too sensitive for young ears that can be discussed in a SS class not in church although I'm not sure htat I'd find anything in the Bible that can't be discussed in some way with children in the room.
ETA: I don't think children should act like wild animals in church but I don't have a problem with a child who may squirm in his seat, turn sideways and put his head on mom's lap, as long as they basically stay in their seat and in a sitting (as opposed to standing position) and are quiet.
< Message edited by zoebob -- 5/16/2008 8:56:55 AM >
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L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/16/2008 9:10:10 AM
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bluestone
Posts: 1450
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From: Saturn
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We have Sunday school classes for all ages. Adult classes are on a variety of topics that change each quarter.
We have regular church services, and children's church for ages 4-10.
Nursery is for infants -4.
No, squirming or laying down is not a problem. Roaming around and talking is.
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Iron sharpens iron, while mush just sinks into the pot.
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RE: Whole community worshipping together - 5/16/2008 11:54:37 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1104
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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On the "far side" of the spectrum...there are some churches that do not believe in having ANYTHING for ANY of the children, except for going into the worship service.
Most everyone in my in-laws church are like that.
And, they pride themselves on the fact that they have "trained" their 3 & 4 year olds to sit still, sit up straight, eye straight ahead, while not hearing a PEEP out of them....
Kind of makes one wonder what kind of "training" took place to get them to do that....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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