Toys in Church???

[LivingDoll]

Hi y'all...

This has been bugging me for a while. I have seen so many parents allow their kids to take toys to church...Gameboys, PSPs, dolls, coloring books, etc. I don't allow DD to do this. Although she sits quietly and listens to the Word, she's often asked me if she can take something to church to play with (because she sees other kids doing it)...:nono: My answer is ALWAYS an emphatic NO!

Why are people allowing their children to do this? It's utterly disrespectful to the Lord! Am I the only one who feels this way?

[ClassyND]

Why aren't the kids in children's church or the nursery?

[mango387]

My parents didn't allow us to bring toys to church, but we did carry children's Bibles or Christian books. I hated children's church, and I never participated when it was offered. They always talked to us like we were realllllllllllly SLOW, and I ABHORRED coloring:look:. With that said, I believe that children should have an option of attending children's church (if offered) or sitting down quietly in the main sanctuary with something (books, coloring books, etc.) age-appropriate AND religious in nature.

[BillsBackerz67]

Why aren't the kids in children's church or the nursery?
I agree...depending on how old the child was and how long the service was I wouldnt expect them to sit for that long. The longest I can sit for is 1.5 hours if that. I get antsy. I think things like coloring books, christian childrens books, or flash cards are harmless. but I wouldnt allow the video games. to each their own however.

[ClassyND]

My parents didn't allow us to bring toys to church, but we did carry children's Bibles or Christian books. I hated children's church, and I never participated when it was offered. They always talked to us like we were realllllllllllly SLOW, and I ABHORRED coloring:look:.

That's very unfortunate. I was raised with the notion that kids don't belong in adult church. They don't learn anything and sometimes they can be disruptive to other members and their parents.

More churches need to get on board so that parents want to leave their kids in children's church or the nursery.

[Caramela]

In worship service I don't allow toys, but normally he's not in the sanctuary. He goes downstairs to Junior Devotion where they do more age appropriate activities for them.

[ClassyND]

I agree...depending on how old the child was and how long the service was I wouldnt expect them to sit for that long. The longest I can sit for is 1.5 hours if that. I get antsy. I think things like coloring books, christian childrens books, or flash cards are harmless. but I wouldnt allow the video games. to each their own however.

I see children's church as a place for kids to socialize with their peers and get the church foundation they need. When I was 15/16, I assisted with children's church and there were some kids who would act all grown when their parents would drop them off (i.e. "Bye mama, I'm going to MY church now":lachen:).

[basketballbabe03]

I don't mind things like books or action figures but when you let your child play PSP during church, that is uncalled for. The one thing that gets me is how some parents do not tell their children to be quiet. I shouldn't hear your child yelling touchdown during service because he just made a touchdown while playing madden on his PSP (This really happened :ohwell:). I think this teaches a child that church isn't serious. The little kid that is playing gameboy during church is probably going to turn into an adult that's on his or her blackberry during the whole service.

[missthang]

I will not lie. when my son was younger I allowed him to carry a book or 1 silent action figure.

Definitely no video games.

[BillsBackerz67]

I see children's church as a place for kids to socialize with their peers and get the church foundation they need. When I was 15/16, I assisted with children's church and there were some kids who would act all grown when their parents would drop them off (i.e. "Bye mama, I'm going to MY church now":lachen:).
:lachen::lachen::lachen:I remember that. They had several activities like that at my late stepmother's church. My junior pastor Adolf thought he was the stuff:lachen: But he was good at what he did and eventually followed in his father's footsteps :yep:

My grandmothers church was not child friendly however and she completely turned me off from ever attending curch up until a few weeks ago:look:

[LivingDoll]

At my church, children's church is only offered at the 9:30am service. Those of us who attend 7:30 or 11:30 have our children with us in the sanctuary. I would allow a christian book and certainly a bible but I've seen PLENTY of kids that were playing video games. It definitely gives the child the impression that hearing the Word isn't serious.

A few weeks ago, I sat next to a boy (i guess he was about 14 or 15) who was playing with another boy 2 rows in front of him! They were laughing and he was taking pics of people in the congregation with his cell phone...he would then flash the phone pic so that the boy ahead of him could see. The boy's parents in the row ahead of me where so engrossed in the service (which is great) that they had no clue what their son was doing. There was nothing I could do, so I ignored them the best I could. I was angered though because it was distracting me from the Word.

[mango387]

^^^At 14 and 15, you are OLD and CRUSTY. Those young men were TOO old for that. I thought you were talking about the babies...

[LivingDoll]

^^^At 14 and 15, you are OLD and CRUSTY. Those young men were TOO old for that. I thought you were talking about the babies...

No that was only one instance...I was talking about children from like 5-10 actually having toys, games and stuff.

[ClassyND]

At my church, children's church is only offered at the 9:30am service. Those of us who attend 7:30 or 11:30 have our children with us in the sanctuary. I would allow a christian book and certainly a bible but I've seen PLENTY of kids that were playing video games. It definitely gives the child the impression that hearing the Word isn't serious.

A few weeks ago, I sat next to a boy (i guess he was about 14 or 15) who was playing with another boy 2 rows in front of him! They were laughing and he was taking pics of people in the congregation with his cell phone...he would then flash the phone pic so that the boy ahead of him could see. The boy's parents in the row ahead of me where so engrossed in the service (which is great) that they had no clue what their son was doing. There was nothing I could do, so I ignored them the best I could. I was angered though because it was distracting me from the Word.

I really don't know what to say. I'm pretty speechless (for once). :nono:

The church we go to has children's church for every service 8, 9, 10:30, 11:30 and Bible study on wednesdays. I always get happy/sad when I see the kids come out with their craft and little verse bracelets they made saying Mama/Dad 100x to get their parent's attention so that they can show them what they learned.

[LivingDoll]

I really don't know what to say. I'm pretty speechless (for once). :nono:

The church we go to has children's church for every service 8, 9, 10:30, 11:30 and Bible study on wednesdays. I always get happy/sad when I see the kids come out with their craft and little verse bracelets they made saying Mama/Dad 100x to get their parent's attention so that they can show them what they learned.

LOL @ being speechless...yes, it was as bad as I described...probably worse. I was so angry...that messed with my spirit the whole day.

I may switch services so that DD can go to children's church more often.

[FoxyScholar]

Sooo....

toys in church.... toys w/sound clearly are inappropriate....

From a church administration standpoint I ask: has anybody ever said anything to anybody about this issue at your respective churches? An usher? The pastor? Anyone?

Children will be children, yes. My mom allowed us to have coloring books and something to write with. That was "decades" ago!:blush:

Today's children have so much more coming at them (they're of the electronic age, TV, etc.) at home and elsewhere and to expect them to sit still and quiet is a bit much without appropriate home training.

Also, children's church is designed to accommodate their growing and curious minds and to attend to the gospel that is age appropriate, with more activities and time to play, etc.

[ClassyND]

LOL @ being speechless...yes, it was as bad as I described...probably worse. I was so angry...that messed with my spirit the whole day.

I may switch services so that DD can go to children's church more often.

I hope your DD likes it/your church has a good service. It saddens me to hear that some churches lack a good children's church. Keep us updated. :yep:

[PassionFruit]

as large as my church is we dont have a children' church and I actually wouldnt allow my kids to go if we did...

my pastor incorporates children into the regular worship svc

that said, I hate to see kids with video games, books etc.. just as bad, Ive seen kids SLEEP thru the entire svc

[LivingDoll]

Sooo....

toys in church.... toys w/sound clearly are inappropriate....

From a church administration standpoint I ask: has anybody ever said anything to anybody about this issue at your respective churches? An usher? The pastor? Anyone?

Children will be children, yes. My mom allowed us to have coloring books and something to write with. That was "decades" ago!:blush:

Today's children have so much more coming at them (they're of the electronic age, TV, etc.) at home and elsewhere and to expect them to sit still and quiet is a bit much without appropriate home training.

Also, children's church is designed to accommodate their growing and curious minds and to attend to the gospel that is age appropriate, with more activities and time to play, etc.

I have no idea...that's a good question. I'll look into it. The home training is a great point...that's where my thoughts were headed when i started this thread


I hope your DD likes it/your church has a good service. It saddens me to hear that some churches lack a good children's church. Keep us updated. :yep:

I will.

as large as my church is we dont have a children' church and I actually wouldnt allow my kids to go if we did...

my pastor incorporates children into the regular worship svc

that said, I hate to see kids with video games, books etc.. just as bad, Ive seen kids SLEEP thru the entire svc

Children and young adults are often incorporated into our services as well...and yes, I've seen kids and adults sleep thru the entire service too. Small kids, I can understand...but a rusty butt man? Come on people!

[loved]

I have a friend who really babied her son when he was around 4 years old. When I went to visit, we went to her church on Sunday & her son was in the choir stand on her lap eating Doritos.

There was big sign on the door of the sanctuary that said no food in the sanctuary.

I had & still have never seen anything like it.