The trouble is, not everyone is as excited to go as you are. Sometimes and for various reasons our children may be hesitant to want to go to church. Perhaps if you think back upon your own childhood you may recall not always having the fondest of memories as you experienced church. Perhaps they sang songs you were not familiar with, the preacher used words you didn’t understand, the pews were uncomfortable, or if your parents were like my parents I had to wear shoes that I believe were intended for discomfort. So how do you cultivate in your child a love for Sundays and for going to church? What you can do so that they go not just willingly but happily?

• First, be organized and make your children feel relaxed. Sunday morning rush is one of the most detrimental anxieties plaguing Sunday morning. Pick out your clothes and theirs the night before, if something needs ironed be sure to do it then and not at 9 a.m. I assure you, an outlet will rebel or a previously unnoticed stain on your favorite shirt will emerge. Give children baths or showers the night before. Again the idea is to minimize the rush and the scurrying to and fro.

• Make it a special day. When I was young, we stopped by our local Dunkin’ Doughnuts on the way in and I always got the cinnamon twists and one powdered doughnut. Perhaps Dad can make his special pancakes, throw in some bacon and eggs and make it a special morning, because it is.

• Treat them like important people.  When you are at church, be sure to introduce them not only to children but to adults as well so that they have relationships with a good range of people. The minister will seem less of a stranger if you have him over for lunch. Maybe a game of catch or h.o.r.s.e. outside will help your child make a connection on a more personal level. If the children in the church are not from your child’s school district then make occasions for the families to get together. Some churches have a special “children’s sermons or children’ s time” where the minister teaches them something either from the sermon or a Bible verse and connects it to their lives. Either before, after or quietly during, explain to your child the various parts of the service and why they are important. Maybe you yourself are not sure, ministers love to answer these kinds of questions. Ask them what they learned in Sunday School or in the worship service and praise them for interacting with what was being taught.

• Get your children involved. No one likes just ‘having’ to go somewhere to sit and listen. But if they are involved, then everything else becomes interesting. Something else that is often times overlooked is involving children in the ministry aspects of the church. Children want to do important things. Pay attention to when a group of people are planning to go to a widow’s house and rake leaves. Your child could draw a happy picture for them with a Bible verse written on it and even lend a hand to raking those leaves. A homeless shelter will sometimes have children there who just want to play and color with another child. These are ways where not only does the little boy or girl or even teenager spend time with others from the church, they are also helping someone else. Whenever I am working on something at home I am reminded that God wired children with the desire to help because I hear their inquiry often “can I help?”

Apply these simple steps, and not only will you find that your children are more willing to go to Church, but you might find Sunday mornings, that they are more excited and even ready before you are!

How to get your children to go to Church in the morning! is a post from: ABCFastDirectory.com

As you probably know, there are many wonderful things about the summertime but one that is hard, particularly for ministers, is the expected low attendance on Sunday mornings.

Yes, the summer months may be the only time that many families can get away for vacation and enjoy some time together. So at least you know they are out of town. There is not much to do except to pray for a good time and safe journey to and from their destination. What about the rest of the year? What can be done during the fall, winter and spring months? All is not lost, there are some practical things that ministers can do and some things that anyone in the congregation can do to help.

As far as the minister goes, he can do no better than faithfully teaching the Word of God. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Texts such as this one and the many to be found in the book of Acts which highlights the routine (even daily!) gathering together of believers are great places to teach from concerning this important part of Christian life.

Remember the TV show “Cheers”? My parents never missed an episode. I can easily picture Norm and Cliff now. The song said “you want to go where everybody knows your name.” It has been said that the most beautiful sound a person can hear is their own name being spoken. Take time to go through your church directory and be sure you can call everyone by name. Put on a name sticker so that new people will be able to call you by name. They will appreciate it greatly. You may be the only to do it! Do it anyway, you may even start a new trend! People who are greeted by name will quickly come to feel more at home and more part of things and thus more likely to return week after week.

Other ideas to see your church attendance numbers skyrocket:

• Send personalized post cards to those you haven’t seen in a while. They are inexpensive, space provides enough content room and they let people know you are thinking about them.

• Pick up the phone. Give a quick call some time after supper and just let them know that you miss seeing them.

• Prepare a simple meal. It could be that they have been ill or not feeling well and a home cooked meal (don’t cheat! ) sends a personal message of your love and concern.

• Help the ministers! The ministers have many hats to wear and several duties and from time to time they may overlook a face they have not seen. Drop a well worded note letting the minister know that so and so has not been there for a while, and in addition to what you are doing, you felt as though they should know. They will be appreciative knowing that there are wonderful people in the congregation doing their part to help keep the flock together.

• Have a party and eat. Simple times of fellowship and fun usually work wonders in drawing people back to Sunday mornings.

Applying these simple techniques are easy, but will have amazing results for you.

How to increase your Church Attendance in a few small steps is a post from: ABCFastDirectory.com