Parents

Metro East is blessed to have many children and youth.  In fact, on any given Sunday some 60 percent of our attendance is made up of people 18 years and younger.  We see our children and youth as our primary mission field for evangelism and discipleship.  Scripture helps us understand that parents are to be the primary source of biblical instruction and Christian maturity in their child’s life.  We want to help you do that. 

One of the things you will notice is that Metro East does not have a “children’s church” or a separate service for children.  We are happy to provide quality childcare during our services for bed babies through three year olds.  Also, we offer Caraway Street during the 11:00 service for pre-K – 1st graders.  Beyond that our hope is that families will see the importance of worshiping together.  Will your children understand everything that happens in the service?  Probably not.  However, we believe it is of inestimable value for children to see their parents worship and receive the Word of God as it is preached.  We are also convinced that our children gain more from the corporate worship of God’s people than we can fully know.  Two thousand years worth of Christian parents have agreed.           

We care deeply about you and your family.  For this reason we want to avoid the common trend in many churches of always separating parents from their children.  What a blessed opportunity it is for families to join their voices together in worship and to drink deeply from the Word of God as it is preached.  We know that some kids are more challenging than others.  Make it a matter of prayer with your child each Sunday morning before arriving.  Sit in an area that is easy to exit if need be.  Give it a try.  Bring paper and crayons and have your children “color the sermon.”  Help them latch on to a word or illustration the pastor uses and then draw it.  Pastor Todd would love to see their work!  Talk with them about the picture over lunch.  Use it as a means to instruct them at home.