Church Public Relations 

Monthly Newsletter

Remember the Children                    

Do you want your church to grow? 

What population will grow a church faster? How about young families! 

This month, let's all take a look at how we treat our children and young parents. On some of my church site consults, I'm amazed at some of the ways I find churches treating their young parents. I see the special parking for the senior adults and the fancy parlors but I couldn't find the children's area without asking several people!

Where is your children's area? I know that it is difficult to fix a building that has been around since the early 1900's, but many things can help to make church more pleasant for young adults and their children. First, have adequate signage to direct those with children as they enter the parking lot to the closest entrance to the children's area. 

Special parking - Many of us have had small children and remember the days that taking them to church meant packing the back of the station wagon for what seemed to be a cross country trip - diaper bags, bottles, changes of clothes, Bibles, toys, etc., etc. Provide reserved parking close to the door. 

Greeters - Station greeters at this entrance to meet families and provide direction and escorts. Help them carry all their stuff!

So, once again, where is your children's' area? Hopefully, it is located near the worship center and/or the young adult Bible study classes. If you're building a new building or remodeling, your preschool area should be completed first. I see so many churches that build the adult spaces first to make those that have been a part of the church for the past fifty years comfy, and leave the children and student areas second or third, or not even on the plan. The majority of the time, parents choose their church on how their children are treated and provided for! 

Paging and identification system -  How's your security? Peace of mind goes a long way, and a simple tagging system can help. Use plastic ID cards with the name of the child with a matching tag for the parents. Use numbered tags for your guests. That way, the child's proper guardian is easy to identify when it is time to pick up the child. For the younger children in the nursery, use a paging system to alert parents when they are needed for their child.

Trained workers - What a wonderful testimony to parents in knowing you care if your workers are trained in CPR and for other medical emergencies. Have on file any special requirements for the children  

Nursing mothers - have a private room for nursing mothers. Provide suitable chairs and a closed circuit feed of the service in progress.

Children's worship -  Although some parents feel that children should sit through worship with them, the sermon very rarely reaches the level of the child, and many parents looking for a church look for opportunities for their children. Children's worship is a great way to program for their level. Go beyond babysitting. Provide a time of worship for your children; let them participate with their own praise team, offering and prayer time. Give them a message that parallels the message in "big church." Maybe take the fifth Sunday's off from Children's worship for the children to attend with their parents, but when you do, be sure you address your younger audiences needs - maybe a Children's sermon, or further explanations during the regular sermon to bring things to their level. A children's bulletin is also a good idea. Remember again . . . parents usually choose their church on how their children are treated and provided for! 

Special thanks to Jim Miller at "Pastor's Little Helper" for sharing Church PR with his subscribers. Please share these ideas with others so we can reach more people for Christ through good PR. If you have other ideas, or would like to see an article on a particular subject, let me know at lmiller@msget.com. 

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