We love your kids so much, we want them to follow Christ their whole lives, not just while they're young. A startling study by Steve Parr and Tom Crites revealed that children who attend church regularly, but are separated from their parents during worship, are 40% more likely to leave the faith as young adults than children who worship with their parents (Why They Stay, pp. 88). A separate study by the Fuller Youth Institute showed almost identical results.

Could this be a reason why the Bible never separates kids out from adults in worship? The authors of Scripture just take it for granted that children are present during corporate worship (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20; Deut. 31:11-13; Josh. 8:35; Neh. 8:1-2).

Although we don't solely draw our doctrine from the descriptive practices in the Bible, we think it's beautiful to see children with their parents at the teaching of God’s Word throughout Scripture. We think it's also significant that this has been the practice for almost all of church history.

For these reasons, LJC practices intergenerational worship during Sunday services.

What Does That Look Like?

While we're worshipping at Piper & Leaf Farm through the Summer of '21, it's a really relaxed atmosphere. Every child under 13 is given a "worship packet" that includes toys, crayons, and an age-appropriate coloring lesson that matches the sermon. Kids can sit with their parents, play in the grass, or color on the sidewalk with chalk we provide. 

In the Fall, when our new space is finished, there will be fun and safe classrooms for ages 0-2 and ages 3-6 during Sunday worship. Kids age 7 and up will join their parents in worship and will be given a "worship packet" that includes toys, crayons, and an age-appropriate coloring lesson that matches the sermon.

What About the Rest of the Week?

Throughout the year we plan multiple big events and go on fun trips with our LJC kids! 

Also, we give parents every possible resource and guidance they need to disciple their children at home. God desires heads of households, like good shepherds, to be the primary spiritual leaders for their families (Deut. 11:19; Josh. 24:15; Gen. 18:19). Our pastor and his wife meet with every parent to tailor-make a discipleship plan for each of their children.