The topic of the nursery has been a hot one as of late in not only our family, but also our church. It has come up in our family discussions because our youngest daughter is now a year old and is starting to get a little fidgety and vocal in the services. It's being talked about in our church because we are currently without a nursery director. While for my family we will stick with the concept of attending church services as that; a family, that's not always the case for everyone in the church. If parents desire to have their children in the nursery then so be it because the issue is an open handed one.
Obviously the next question I get from people on this topic is, "Why won't you put your children in the nursery?" To which I reply, "The Bible says that the parents are to raise their children." Deut. 6 tells parents to diligently teach our children morning and night of the statutes of God. Eph. 6 tells father's to bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Part of that discipline and instruction is teaching our kiddos how to set in church and listen to what is going on. I strongly believe that when 90% of our teens leave the church by the time they are sophomores in college it's partly because they have spent most of their younger years of church going in other areas besides that of the sanctuary. The American church has fallen in love with the idea of our young ones not being in church services. If we teach them as babies that they don't belong in service then why are we surprised when they leave as young adults because they don't feel apart of the service?
Mainly, I don't put my children in the nursery because there is no scriptural basis for it. In scripture we see the exact opposite. Ezra 10:1 says; men, women, and children gathered to him out of Israel. Jesus acknowledged the presence of children in chapters 18 and 19 of Matthew.
The biggest argument I've heard for not having children in church services is, "They cause distractions so someone may not hear the gospel." That is a very interesting argument for a couple of reasons. The first one being that, is God not big enough to save someone even though a child is making noise or crying? Secondly, how hard is it to get the attention of your spouse when he or she is watching their favorite television program? Kids can be screaming, phone will be ringing, and someone is at the front door, yet it still doesn't break their attention toward that program. The bottom line is that when we are doing what our heart desires nothing will stop us from completing the task at hand.
The fact is that the nursery as well as other well intended church "programs" are being used for nothing more then a free babysitter. The church has given parents a good excuse for not training their own children and parents are jumping on the bandwagon by the truck load!
With all that said, does it mean that the nursery is wrong? No, it's just not proven in scripture. We must stop doing things just because that's how we've always done it and get back to using the Bible as our instruction manual. And just because we've always done it that way doesn't mean it has always been done that way.......
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Correction...
Was informed this morning that I had made an error on the site link to Blue Ridge Bible Church in last nights post. Here is the correct site link www.brbctexas.com. I even checked last night to make sure I knew the web-sites address and still typed it in wrong for the post. Guess that's what happens when you try and blog around mid-night. Also, the Blue Ridge Bible guys are on Twitter, so give them a follow. Pastor Tim Camp is @PTCamp and Kevin Wilson's tag is @Kevinbrbc.
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Long Time No Post...
It's just past 11pm and I'm watching the Rangers play the Angels. They are currently winning 8-1 and looking to over take the Angels for first place in their division. Red #3 is not wanting to go to sleep so she is in the middle of our bed kicking, playing, and having a good ole time.
Anyways, part of the reason for not posting in so long is that the last several months have been a crazy and wild time around here. The other part is that I've let Twitter and Facebook take up more of my time. They have proven to be a quicker way of sending and viewing information. Speaking of Twitter, if you're not on or following me then you should be; follow me @NickVineyard.
Reading a new book this week; Simple Church by Thom Rainer. It has even further opened my eyes on how today's church has made things so much more difficult then they need to be. Will write more later on my thoughts about the book. Last week I finally finished up "Vintage Church" by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Driscoll has become one of my favs when it comes to dealing with our culture while not compromising the Word.
The last 8 months of church have taken a large amount of my time as well. I some how found myself on the Pastor Search Team. Then I found my way on the Constitution Review Team, followed by taking over the chair position of our Nominating Team as well as helping keep the church website updated. Our church website is http://www.firstblueridge.org/, but don't look at it for a day or so because I've been slacking on that job. Then finally, getting my first actual opportunity to preach before the church. The preaching was fun, I definitely learned a lot during the two weeks I had to prepare for the service. I appreciate a lot more what the "pros" go through during preparation. Other exciting news on the church front at FBC Blue Ridge is that we will be having a pastor come in view of a call on July 19th. That day will also be the 5th Anniversary for being in the new facilities. Should be an exciting day of fellowship and it will definitely be a busy one.
Speaking of churches, you guys check out Blue Ridge Bible Church, they are doing some good things over there. Kevin Wilson will be teaching on marriage over the next several weeks, should be some good stuff. Their web-site is http://www.brbctexas.com/.
Well, the Rangers game is headed to the ninth and they are still up 8-1. Guess I'll get off of here and watch the final six outs before calling it a night. Hope all is well with everyone and I plan on getting back to posting on a regular basis.
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
Anyways, part of the reason for not posting in so long is that the last several months have been a crazy and wild time around here. The other part is that I've let Twitter and Facebook take up more of my time. They have proven to be a quicker way of sending and viewing information. Speaking of Twitter, if you're not on or following me then you should be; follow me @NickVineyard.
Reading a new book this week; Simple Church by Thom Rainer. It has even further opened my eyes on how today's church has made things so much more difficult then they need to be. Will write more later on my thoughts about the book. Last week I finally finished up "Vintage Church" by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Driscoll has become one of my favs when it comes to dealing with our culture while not compromising the Word.
The last 8 months of church have taken a large amount of my time as well. I some how found myself on the Pastor Search Team. Then I found my way on the Constitution Review Team, followed by taking over the chair position of our Nominating Team as well as helping keep the church website updated. Our church website is http://www.firstblueridge.org/, but don't look at it for a day or so because I've been slacking on that job. Then finally, getting my first actual opportunity to preach before the church. The preaching was fun, I definitely learned a lot during the two weeks I had to prepare for the service. I appreciate a lot more what the "pros" go through during preparation. Other exciting news on the church front at FBC Blue Ridge is that we will be having a pastor come in view of a call on July 19th. That day will also be the 5th Anniversary for being in the new facilities. Should be an exciting day of fellowship and it will definitely be a busy one.
Speaking of churches, you guys check out Blue Ridge Bible Church, they are doing some good things over there. Kevin Wilson will be teaching on marriage over the next several weeks, should be some good stuff. Their web-site is http://www.brbctexas.com/.
Well, the Rangers game is headed to the ninth and they are still up 8-1. Guess I'll get off of here and watch the final six outs before calling it a night. Hope all is well with everyone and I plan on getting back to posting on a regular basis.
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Something American Churches Don't Understand...
It's been since Christmas day that I last blogged about anything. There isn't really any reason for it except that I let other things consume my time and there just really hasn't been anything that I've desired to write about. Well, let me rephrase that; nothing that I can put out there for people to read about. I am reading a little about Isaac Backus though. Mr. Backus lived from 1724-1806 and was an early historian and a champion of religious liberty among Baptists. I just read a letter that his mother had sent to him while she was in prison for not paying a minister's tax. After reading it I immediately thought about how the modern church in America isn't being persecuted for taking a stand for what she believes in, but rather is to occupied with the goings on within her own four walls. I encourage you to read the following letter from Elizabeth Backus and I hope that it will stir you to remember some of the trials the early church went through so that we could have our religious freedoms today; as well as take them for granted.
My Dear Son:
I have heard something of the trials amongst you of late, and I was grieved, till I had strength to give up the case to God, and leave my burthen there. And now I would tell you something of our trials. Your brother Samuel lay in prison twenty days. October 15, the collectors came to our house, and took me away to prison about nine o'clock, in a dark rainy night. We lay in prison thirteen days, and then set liberty, by what means I know not. Whilst I was there a great many people came to see me; and some said one thing and some another. O the innumerable snares and temptations that beset me, more that I ever thought on before! But, O the condescension of heaven! Though I was bound when I was cast into this furnace, yet was I loosed, and found Jesus in the midst of the furnace with me. O then I could give up my name, estate, family life and breath, freely to God. Now the prison looked like a palace to me. I could bless God for all the laughs and scoffs made at me. O the love that flowed out to all mankind! Then I could forgive as I would desire to be forgiven, and love my neighbor as myself. Deacon Griswold was put into prison the 8th of October, and yesterday old brother Grover, and [they] are in pursuit of others; all which calls for humiliation. This church has appointed the 13th of November to be spent in prayer and fasting on that account. I do remember my love to you and your wife, and the dear children of God with you, begging your prayers for us in such a day of trial. We are in tolerable health, expecting to see you.
These from your loving mother,
Elizabeth Backus
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
My Dear Son:
I have heard something of the trials amongst you of late, and I was grieved, till I had strength to give up the case to God, and leave my burthen there. And now I would tell you something of our trials. Your brother Samuel lay in prison twenty days. October 15, the collectors came to our house, and took me away to prison about nine o'clock, in a dark rainy night. We lay in prison thirteen days, and then set liberty, by what means I know not. Whilst I was there a great many people came to see me; and some said one thing and some another. O the innumerable snares and temptations that beset me, more that I ever thought on before! But, O the condescension of heaven! Though I was bound when I was cast into this furnace, yet was I loosed, and found Jesus in the midst of the furnace with me. O then I could give up my name, estate, family life and breath, freely to God. Now the prison looked like a palace to me. I could bless God for all the laughs and scoffs made at me. O the love that flowed out to all mankind! Then I could forgive as I would desire to be forgiven, and love my neighbor as myself. Deacon Griswold was put into prison the 8th of October, and yesterday old brother Grover, and [they] are in pursuit of others; all which calls for humiliation. This church has appointed the 13th of November to be spent in prayer and fasting on that account. I do remember my love to you and your wife, and the dear children of God with you, begging your prayers for us in such a day of trial. We are in tolerable health, expecting to see you.
These from your loving mother,
Elizabeth Backus
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
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