Parents and Children at NLCC

Many churches (without realizing it) actually create programs which divide the family, rather than bring the family together. At New Life we also have times when the children and parents can be apart (such as Children's Sunday School, Children's Church, and Youth Group). Certain types of education are more effective when you separate people into groups with similar educational levels or developmental abilities.

But we are also committed to the idea that the church needs to bring families together. At New Life we make many attempts to keep families together and to involve parents in the life of their children. First and foremost, we worship together as families. Sunday morning worship and the Lord's supper always occurs with parents and children together. Parents may then make the decision to keep their children in the church service or allow them to attend Children's Church. Some parents decide to keep their children in the church service. This is not frowned upon. Other parents allow their children to attend Children's Church (for ages 3 through grade 5). If you are a parent, you are always welcome to go to Children's Church (or any other children's ministry) and observe what others are teaching your child. We recognize that your children were given to you by God and that their training is ultimately your responsibility, not ours.

We are a church that encourages families to be together in many ways. Parents are encouraged to attend youth group outings (and this is not viewed as "strange"). Families are encouraged to do ministry jointly - such as serving as a family at the homeless shelter or our ministry to Greenfield Assisted Living Center. We also urge families to take responsibility for sharing the good news with their neighbors (hospitality, backyard Bible clubs, etc.). Even our missions trips are family friendly. As we write this we are preparing for a trip to a Chinese orphanage. Thirty-seven people are planning on making the trip - many of whom are parents with their children. At the end of next month we have a service project repairing a home through the organization Rebuilding Together. Parents will be encouraged to bring their children to help. The week following the service project we have our annual men's retreat. Older teens are encouraged to be part of the retreat (with appropriate "break out" times for adult men to discuss deeper issues). The same thing occurs with our fall women's retreat. And this summer we are holding our annual family canoe trip and family camping trip.

We are also a church that loves children. We have many singles and couples without children in our church body, but we also have large families (some with as many as 10 kids). We have a number of families that have adopted children from foreign countries. About 2/5 of our families like being with their children so much that they school them at home! (Another 1/5 of the parents enroll their children in Christian school. The remaining 2/5 have chosen public school. This is a decision that each parent makes on their own and New Life does not attempt to tell you how to educate your child.)

Finally, we realize that we live in a bedroom community to Washington, D.C. - which can mean a long commute to and from work. But we believe that it is extremely important for parents to be active in the Christian education of their children. We encourage parents (especially believing fathers) to read the Bible with their family and to pray with them. The church also provides education to parents to help you and your children grow in your relationship with Christ together.

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