Engaging the whole family as disciples
Too often, churches place kids under the responsibility of professional staff and never have them interact with their parents on a Sunday morning. The kids go off to children's church, the parents go to the adult service, and then the parents pick their kids up once everything is finished. Then the kids grow up and go to youth group, where the youth pastor teaches the kids and they have fun, but the parents are not involved with their children's spiritual formation.
At Union Baptist Church, our goal is to equip parents to engage and disciple their children. Rather than only viewing their children through the lens of physical and emotional development, we encourage parents to see every child as a potential or actual brother or sister in Christ. If we view our children through this lens, then we have many commands in the New Testament about our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that equally apply to our children: bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2); speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19); teach one another (Colossians 3:16); comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18); encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11); exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13); stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
This is a weighty responsibility, but Pastor Nathan and the leadership at UBC strive to give parents the tools they need to help their children thrive both physically and spiritually. As our family ministry continues to grow, we hope to expand our opportunities and resources for both parents and children.
At Union Baptist Church, our goal is to equip parents to engage and disciple their children. Rather than only viewing their children through the lens of physical and emotional development, we encourage parents to see every child as a potential or actual brother or sister in Christ. If we view our children through this lens, then we have many commands in the New Testament about our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that equally apply to our children: bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2); speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19); teach one another (Colossians 3:16); comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18); encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11); exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13); stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
This is a weighty responsibility, but Pastor Nathan and the leadership at UBC strive to give parents the tools they need to help their children thrive both physically and spiritually. As our family ministry continues to grow, we hope to expand our opportunities and resources for both parents and children.
Sunday Mornings
9:00am-10:15am
During our Sunday School period, we try to combine generations where possible in our classes. We recognize that wisdom and insight can be gained when people from different stages of life meet together to discuss their common experiences as followers of Jesus. Yet we also see that it can be helpful for people to meet together with others who are at the exact same stage of life as they are. We want to expand our class offerings so that we can minister to a variety of ages and stages of life. Let us know if you would like a class on a specific topic!
10:30am-11:45am
During our worship service, our nursery provides a space for parents to take care of their young children. As we gain more volunteers, we hope to have a rotation of nursery workers that will allow parents to have their undivided attention on the service. For kids aged 4 years old through third grade, we offer a bible lesson in the church basement during the service. Once children move up to the fourth grade, we want them to join their parents and worship together as a family. Kids learn how to worship by watching their parents in worship!