(From Blake White, Pastor, South Side Baptist Church, Abilene, TX)

The 8 P’s of Parenting in the Pew

1. Praise: The primary goal of corporate worship is to praise God. Your goal for your children is for them to learn to focus on the service. You can start by using tools like snacks or quiet toys, but with the intention of weaning them off. Avoid using screens, as they don’t train or instruct in worship. Model full engagement yourself by singing loudly, following along in your Bible, and taking notes.

2. Prayer: Pray for your children. Pray for God’s help as you train them, and pray during the service that the Lord would give them ears to hear the message. Remember, you can wire the house, but only the Holy Spirit can flip the switch.

3. Pro-Children: The entire church family has a role to play. Members without children should be thankful for the children in their midst, even when they act like children. Rather than “mean-mugging” families, be a source of encouragement and understanding.

4. Perspective: Keep the right perspective in three ways. First, know your child’s limits and when they are ready for different parts of the service. Second, have the right perspective on the rest of the congregation. Try not to be a distraction, but also don’t be distracted yourself. Use a cry room/nursing mom’s room when necessary. Finally, have the right perspective on worship itself. Training your children for corporate worship is worship (Romans 12:1-2).

5. Prepare: A good Sunday morning begins the night before. Lay out clothes and get things ready. Make sure your child has a Bible and something to write with. Speak positively about the church and Sunday, making it the highlight of the week.

6. Practice Family Worship: Extend the worship habits you’re teaching at church into your home. Read the Bible, pray, and sing together as a family.

7. Participate: Teach your children to actively participate in the service. Show them how to sing along, close their eyes during prayer, and sit still during the sermon. They are being shaped by these habits.

8. Persevere: Training children is hard work, but it is good work. Kids adapt fairly quickly, so keep at it. Sundays are long, but the years are short.