Christian Formation starts this Sunday! We hope coming to a class, whether before or after your preferred service, becomes a part of your family’s weekly ritual. I asked Sandy Potter, a vestry member and mother of a teenager, to write about how her family embraces the ritual of Christian Formation and how it has impacted their lives.
We all know how important it is to keep a schedule with kids. The premise about regular nap times, consistent bedtimes, also includes the schedule and rituals for church. Keeping the schedule makes the day go better. I would say keeping a schedule for spiritual practice and formation, makes life go better.
This is what we found by regular attendance at Transfiguration. We started attending the fig when Madison was three and we became members the next year. We had previously attended other churches so she was very familiar with Sunday rituals and schedule.
Once we establish the pattern, church attendance was expected. We found when we, as adults, deviated from the pattern, our child has held us accountable. There have been Sunday mornings when we’re like “oh let’s just sleep in” and she’s like “are we going to church?” Then we jump up, rush around, get dressed and run out the door. My advice is when your kid says, aren’t we going to church? Always say yes!
Kids learn from our behaviors and what we spend our time doing. Madison is always watching and she has always been watching. She knows what we think is important. When we’re consistent and follow a regular pattern of behavior and activities at the church, our kids find comfort in the routine and build connections to the routine.
We’ve really never had an issue with Madison not wanting to go to church. Regular attendance is easier when they are involved in activities such as choir or serving ministries like acolyte. Your kids have to be here on those days and they know they have responsibilities. The more connection to activities you and your child has, the more likely you are to attend the service.
For us, we wanted our daughter to have a spiritual home. A place where she could find comfort and learn about The Way of Christ. The only way to establish such a connection is to be involved and keep a regular pattern of attendance or as we are saying these days…”all in”.
We are “all in”.
Sandy & Beth