Tuesday, November 30, 2004
LegoChurch - Sunday "services" for the rising fives ::
About two years ago a group at our church was asked to rework "what we do on Sundays" to focus on children (then under five), and their families as well. It was quite a task as we also have quite a few at the other end of the age range, who also need to be fed and to worship...
After long discussion of what was needed, we decided the "answer" was to break things down into half hour components. When we worked on the components, we realised that we needed to start with the children, and that tight timing was important. We also realised that many of us arrive late - and that would not work without the "traditional" singing slot to allow them to "slip in". So, we decided to start with breakfast! (We wanted to make it attractive so we planned things like Eggs Benedict, Bagels, Bacon and Eggs, Croissants with ham, pineapple [well not me, I'm a food snob, I don't like pineapple with cheese!] and cheese and halfway decent coffee.)
So the morning would look like this:
9:15-10:00
Though we have not been good at keeping to time, and even though many worship leaders cannot get their heads round all-age, this works quite well. It's revolutionised the feel of the "service", which is now usually a more relational time, it gets kids involved, it allows for other needs and we can slot other things in or drop them out, so long as we have a room free in that "slot". ¶ 6:04 AM
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About two years ago a group at our church was asked to rework "what we do on Sundays" to focus on children (then under five), and their families as well. It was quite a task as we also have quite a few at the other end of the age range, who also need to be fed and to worship...
After long discussion of what was needed, we decided the "answer" was to break things down into half hour components. When we worked on the components, we realised that we needed to start with the children, and that tight timing was important. We also realised that many of us arrive late - and that would not work without the "traditional" singing slot to allow them to "slip in". So, we decided to start with breakfast! (We wanted to make it attractive so we planned things like Eggs Benedict, Bagels, Bacon and Eggs, Croissants with ham, pineapple [well not me, I'm a food snob, I don't like pineapple with cheese!] and cheese and halfway decent coffee.)
So the morning would look like this:
9:15-10:00
Breakfast10:05-10:30
Children's teaching time10:35-11:00
ESOL Group
Prayer meeting
(other adults clear up after Breakfast, or chat)
All-age worship11:00-11:30
(Means using things other than songs!
Short snappy items, lots of interaction...)
Adult teaching (Sermon, Prayer, more singing...)11:30-
Children play supervised games, or watch video, or do craft.
Coffee and chat...
Though we have not been good at keeping to time, and even though many worship leaders cannot get their heads round all-age, this works quite well. It's revolutionised the feel of the "service", which is now usually a more relational time, it gets kids involved, it allows for other needs and we can slot other things in or drop them out, so long as we have a room free in that "slot". ¶ 6:04 AM
[to Del.icio.us]
