Jumping into the Unknown with an Ancient map pt 2

[Or maybe we're following an ancient map into the future?]

Part 2

Advantages

- P/G/can attend every worship service
- (hopefully) Moms will be able to participate in worship
-kids are close to mom (p/g) in worship (worship = a positive experience)
- opportunity for parents to model & teach worship
- children are immersed in a community worship environment
- requires fewer staff/volunteers/planning
-children can see/hear but not distract
-special worship space with freedom to be little
-children with snacks from home and toys from home may stay healthier?
-kids are close to parents participating in worship
-perhaps less threatening space for some adults
-easy to grow as attendance grows
-for moms who want to meet new people they're already in the foyer
-reminder of child-like faith, simple straightforwardness, curiosity, wonder
-as people mingle, less segregation
-reminder to all of us that we're children

Disadvantages


-not instructional/age appropriate for children
-the hope is to equip parents to share with/instruct their children

-having to recreate the space every Sunday
-those who help will get to know each other better

-moms/p/g getting frustrated or burned out
-talk to someone
-people looking out for each other
-taking turns taking communion or going in for part of the service

-moms/p/g feeling like they can't worship
-talk to someone

-moms/p/g feeling segregated or on display
-some people who aren't parents will also gravitate to that space and be worshipping with you
-if anyone's judging you they shouldn't be!
-praying for one another is good

-temptation to socialize
-socialize before service, after, during the meal, during the week
-minister to one another

-can we accommodate visiting extended family in the space
-you have the option to start in the large gathering and move to the foyer

- what if we outgrow the space
-we could change buildings
-we could use all the rooms like this if everyone's worshipping (an interesting thought!) with a couple of core people in each room...

-can we accommodate single parents or parents participating in service
-if we are a community looking out for each other, yes

-what about visitors who expect childcare
-they may chose to walk with us or not

-children being disruptive loud or arguing
-parent removes the child from the space and they return when the issue is resolved

Earning Priviledges and more
[saved for part 3 lest the blog eat this one too...] There were more thoughts about instruction before the blog ate the last one, examples and such. I don't know whether or not they'll come back ...

Comments?