The Magazine

The report highlighted that although most parents said they felt it was their responsibility to support and encourage faith, most also felt they should be doing more.

As a clergy kid, parent and youth worker I know only too well the balancing act between being too pushy and too laid back in how to encourage those we care for in their faith. At what point do I allow my child to choose if they come to church with me? Should I pray with them at home? How can I encourage my child to read the Bible? What’s more important, football or dance lessons on a Sunday morning or church?

The prevailing feeling is one of anxiety. I asked some young people and some who are older how they felt…

“I hated the idea of School on a Sunday and the term ‘quiet time’ – I didn’t do quiet as a child!”

“I found it difficult that they wouldn’t let me experiment with different churches.”

“They helped by creating a family space to pray and read the Bible. However, I don’t feel comfortable worshipping around them.”

“Within the past year we moved churches so that we could gain more from church and be around more people our own age.”

The difficulty is that there isn’t a simple answer – as with all parenting it is dependent on each child.

Care for the Family have produced materials to support carers and church workers – such as The Kitchen Table Project – a growing movement of mums and dads supporting each other, sharing ideas and encouragement to inspire faith in children. They also provide parenting courses churches can download and run. There are some great books such as The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family. Why not buy copies for every family in your church or those that come for baptisms?

There is an African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child”. It also takes a church to raise a family; supporting families takes whole church action. Simple things like babysitting so parents can go to mid-week groups will not just support the parents but also give children the opportunity to develop lifelong significant relationships with other adults in the church.

Responding to the desire to put the whole family at the centre of church in January 2019 we will be launching the Diocese of Norwich Children, Youth & Families Charter.

We hope signing up to the charter will enable churches to drill down on what it means to love children, young people and families – rather than being anxious about the lack of them or what to do with them. It will provide a way of telling families “we have your back”.

If you are interested in discussing the new Charter, please do get in touch with us via email or phone 01603 882345.