As a church leader I occassionally hear from people that they can't participate in a church function because that is family night. This is the preselected time of the week that their family regularly meets together for movie night, game night, etc. Now hey, I am all for family time. In fact, I don't think that our church families set aside those times regularly enough. However, how true to form are we?
Eric Reed, a writer for Leadership Magazine, says, "It’s one way Generations X and Y are making up for the hands-off, latch-key childrearing styles that characterized their Boomer parents: heavy investment in the kids, and everything else takes a back seat -- including church.” As the church, are we making every effort to make family the priority? Many feel it seems, in most churches that we segregate the parents from the kids, the kids from each other, and the family unit from the church.
On the surface, it does seem this way. However, we must view both sides of the issue. The intent of the church is to provide the family with a ministry that will take each member deeper into God's word in such a way as is relevant to their age and interest. The trouble with keeping the family together in such an environment is that the interest levels and attention spans differ. With this in mind, perhaps the church should look at a different way to do midweek activities. In such a structure, Sunday would be the time to provide age appropriate learning. Midweek meetings would then be centered on providing family activities whose main theme is building family relationships.
With soccer games, PTA meetings, hectic work schedules and overall busy lives, Wednesday nights may be the only night families have to spend with each other. If so, wouldn't it be great to spend that night together in an environment that promotes that bonding time. Imagine the memories and experiences that could be made from these nights. What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
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