We believe that parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children. FBC Clay seeks to assist parents in this goal and give them the resources to do so. We consider children to be precious gifts of God, so we must do a good job in training them in the faith. We seek to accomplish this in a variety of ways:

Nursery

Infant and toddler nursery services are available during all Sunday services. Age-appropriate cribs, games, snacks, and teaching resources are used for the children

Sunday School

All preschool through elementary age children are encouraged to attend Sunday School, as this time provides the foundational biblical truths that will prepare them for a life learning about God. Our goal is to provide teaching, environments, and resources that will help parents disciple their children to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

All children’s classes use the Gospel Project curriculum published by Lifeway.

Worship “Family-style”

We have recently incorporated a more “family-style” approach to children in worship. We have done so by conviction but in no way imply that like-minded churches can’t choose to do things differently than we do.  We hold this with an open hand, graciously and encouraging, knowing very well that things can change in the future if led.

Here are, in our opinion, reasons and benefits for children remaining in worship with their parents:

1) THE BIBLICAL & HISTORICAL WITNESS REGARDING CORPORATE WORSHIP GATHERINGS HAS ALWAYS INCLUDED CHILDREN*

Some might argue that we neglect the pedagogical needs of our children by keeping them in the Sunday gathering. Others argue that our child simply cannot sit still during a sermon.  These arguments have merit to them, but perhaps we can focus on other aspects than just the sermon.  Maybe the best lesson we teach during this time is reverence and worship for the Lord.  We can teach them the meaning of the Sacraments or teach them a song we sing regularly at the church.  It is necessary for parents (and the church) to train, exemplify, and discipline children to give reverence to God and respect others who are there to worship Him.  Children can and will be noisy and inconvenient, but we can't let that be a deterrent in teaching them to love the church gatherings.

2) KEEPING CHILDREN IN WORSHIP TRAINS PARENTS TO BE DISCIPLE-MAKERS*

God grows us best through difficulty, not ease.  When we remove children from service we might assume that we are helping remove distractions, therefore giving the church unrestricted opportunity to learn from God's Word. Children are not to be viewed as distractions.  They are gifts from God under our stewardship and for our own growth in this life.  Parents are being trained in the difficulty to be the lead disciple-maker in their children's lives when they suffer (yes I said it) through training a child to participate in a Sunday service. Children are coopted out to schools and sports, and it is our conviction that the main worship service should not be another place where we limit influence over their lives.

3) CHILDREN WILL REPLICATE WHAT THEIR PARENTS DO*

Children learn to value what we value.  Positively speaking, children will follow our example in singing, having our Bibles open, and being expectant each Sunday.  Negatively speaking, if the church serves at my convenience, then that may result in teaching children that the church must revolve around me and not God.  This does not mean that we don't need appropriate environments for children to teach them God's Word.  At First Baptist Church, we have a fully staffed Sunday Morning Sunday School hour where our children learn of the love and grace of Christ.  

4) CHILDREN ARE LEARNING EVEN IF WE THINK THEY ARE NOT*

I have been amazed at the many times I think children (and even some adults) are not paying attention, only to learn how much my kids are hearing and learning after we leave worship. Children can learn far much more than we give them credit for.

5) YOUR KIDS ARE NOT NEARLY AS EMBARRASSING AS YOU THINK THEY ARE*

From the spilling of an entire box of pencils to the random noises that ring from the pew, we are often mortified in embarrassment by our children's behavior during worship.  Let me say this kindly:  parents, we need to get over ourselves.  It's not about us.  Others eyes are not locked on you when your kids acts up.  We need to create a culture where it is normal to have noisy kids around.  Remember our stewardship from God. Stay in the game! Know that the Lord understands what you need and is using your strung-out Sunday mornings for HIS glory and THEIR good...and yes, yours also.

Fight the good fight. The Lord is with you! And we are to help you help your kids.

*Adapted from an article found on http://www.doctrineanddevotion.com/blog/children-in-worship