Every parent who is a Christian wants his children to mature into people with atti­tudes of respect and reverence toward God. And most are doing what they can to achieve that end. They do not want them to grow up to be rebellious toward God; they don't want them to be blights on society, and come to the point to where they have no regard for law, civil or religious. Parents are to be com­mended for that. But I have noticed a trend over the past few years that is dis­turbing, and that has to do with proper discipline of children in worship services.

Let me say first that I am perfectly aware that when children are very young, they do not have a concept of discipline. When such "act up," that should be un­derstood, and folks who have a problem with that have a problem themselves! This is one preacher that crying babies have never really bothered, So I am not speaking of such situations. But there comes a time when they begin to "catch on" concerning discipline - and they usu­ally "catch on" before the parents realize it! I have been there; I know about it, so I beg your indulgence as you read this.

One of the first things that children need to be taught is to sit through ser­vices. "Do you mean my child should sit through services?" Yep - unless there is an emergency of some sort. "But they won't do that," is the cry of a lot of parents. To which I would reply, "sure they will - if you do what you are supposed to do." Want me to tell you the worst thing (read that, the worst thing) you can do with them regarding their training? I see a lot of it right here at Taylors. Hear me.

When your children grow older, do you want them to be jumping up and run­ning out on every whim? "Of course not," you say. Didn't used to be that way, folks - until the past few years. But let me pose a question: "If you don't want that, then why do you jump up and take Junior out every time he wiggles or makes a sound that shows his displeasure at something?" That's the best way to train them never to sit still through a worship service. From my vantage point in the pulpit, I see parents racing for the door at the first whimper. By the time services are over, it is not uncommon to see several mothe_rs (and/or fathers) going out when the child is really disturbing no one. If they need to be taken out, so be it. But when whatever the problem is has been been care of, bring them back in - don't keep them out for the balance of the ser­vice. Someone may ask, "is there never a time to take a child out?" Sure - but not just because he wants to go, and that's usually what happens in most cases. Parents ought to know what works with their children so far as discipline is concerned. With that in mind, let me tell you how to stop a lot of this jumping up and taking a young one out. Its very simple - you make it where it is not worth it to him to be taken out! "How do I do that," you ask. You are the parent; you ought to be able to figure that out! Meaningful discipline will go a long ways in teaching children reverence in worship; they can be taught to sit through a worship service if parents will take hold and teach them what is expected of them.

“All this is just from some fuddy-duddy old preacher who doesn't understand," you may be thinking. "He probably does not know what it is to deal with such situations." Oh yes he does; it's just been a little longer ago. I have been asked if I never had to take my children out when they were young and deal with them. Well, yes, I can remember taking one of our two out one time (his name is Allyn) when he was, as I remember some three or four years old. And do you know what? I never had to do it again! "How in the world did you do that," some may wonder. I did it using the same thing I lave advised parents about now - it wasn't worth it to him to act up to that extent again. You figure it out! In closing, let me say that I dearly love our young parents here. They have a dif­ficult time, and nobody knows that better than I. I love their children, for they are respectful to me, and I appreciate their parents for having taught them that. But if there is one area it seems to be that these young parents need to do better (lots better) it is in the area of teaching their children to sit through worship ser­vices without disrupting said services ­not because the child is particularly caus­ing a fuss, but because of how the parents handle it.

Parents, let me remind you one more time - do you want your children to learn how to sit and worship God reverently? Then you are going to have to stop doing what I see many of you doing. Mark it down - time will show what I have told you to be right. Sure, it may be easier to remove a child from the assembly, but why do we have to take the "easy way" out? We all know that discipline is harder - but it will also pay the greater benefits as your chil­dren begin to get older. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

Some have asked about the possibilities of a new building. Answer is that we don't know at this time. No one really complains and that is appreciated. Just want you to think about something.

My travels take me to congregations that would be glad to have our "problems." I once held a meeting in an old, rickety mobile home sitting in the middle of a dusty field that was jam packed with 30 or 40 people. Sat on concrete blocks, and I wondered if it was going to make it through the next service! But they were thankful for what they had - and the singing sure sounded good! Another meeting took me to north central Arkansas where the brethren had to meet in an old abandoned, stone school house. It was still owned by the school district, but it was so bad they didn't even want it anymore! And so at least it was free of charge for the brethren to meet in! Undoubtedly the most uncomfortable wooden, cobbled up benches you ever sat on. No running water or inside facilities. They did, however, have an outhouse in the edge of the woods they were also glad to have. Had to take a winding dirt road to get to it. But - no complaints; went about their work of doing the Lord's will.

Sure, we could use more room; but patience is a virtue! I think of brethren such 18 these from time to time and their willingness to continue to serve God with what they have, and to "live with" it. How little it takes to worship God. So until something better comes along, let's be thankful for what we have. – Bill Moseley