Religion, Sex, and Politics

A local Children's Ministry leader and friend shared with me a bit of personal writing that I want to pass on to you. This person has been observing all the things that parents are allowing to keep their children from being regularly active in church. So my friend composed this list of 9 reasons why these parents don't prioritize their children's church-based spiritual development.

Tell me what you think!

9 REASONS WHY I DON’T BRING MY CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR CHURCH

1. It won’t help my children get into college. College admission is competitive. So I need to make sure they play team sports, earn merit badges in scouts, take ballet lessons, learn to play the piano, etc. You can’t put Sunday School and church on a college application, so it just has to take a backseat to these college-oriented pursuits.

2. Our family life is already too scheduled and stressful. We don’t need another weekly obligation. Bible study and church are good, but who’s got time? We’ve got baseball, swim practice, competitions, homework, soccer, trips to see the family, sleepovers, the academic enrichment classes… How are we supposed to make time for Bible study and worship?

3. I talk to my kids about God. I tell a Bible story every night... OK, many nights. At least I did when they were preschoolers. And we say a blessing at every meal... when we’re home. Plus, I often mention how a Christian should act when they talk about problems at school or with their friends. I’m probably covering the main points. Before they go to college, that’s all they really need to know. They can figure out the rest on their own.

4. When they go to Sunday School or church, they start asking questions I can’t answer... at least not comfortably. Like, “will Uncle Phil go to hell if he says G-D it?” And, “why would Jesus say to turn the other cheek when you say ‘fight back’? Who’s right?” How can I be comfortably immature in my faith if my kids are growing spiritually?

5. We like to sleep late on Sundays. “God time” is good, but we need some “Me time.” It’s work getting everyone up, fed, dressed, and in the car. And I don’t want my commitment to God to be hard. I know we got up early when we took the kids to Kings Dominion or the beach for the day, but church isn’t exactly King’s Dominion, right?

6. Our kids don’t need a strong faith until they go to college. We’re Christian parents. They can lean on us, until then. We’ll protect them spiritually. And, c’mon, what kind of trials and temptations can there be in elementary and middle school? We’ll let the Youth Minister catch them up on the deep stuff just before they head off to the moral and ethical choices of college. That should be enough foundation to handle the frat parties, substance abuse, spiritual questions, and major life-choice of college.

7. Frankly, I’m not all that happy with God. I’m having a hard time. If God were doing more for me, I’d have the energy, the time, and the desire to make Bible study and worship a priority. But if God’s going to let me struggle, then I’ll keep sending him this message about being ticked off at him by skipping church. When God does more for me, I’ll do more for Him.

8. My kids don’t want to go. When they get started on their video games, it’s just hard to get them to stop. And I want my kids to like me. Why make them do something they don’t want to do? (…unless it’s homework, school, piano practice, going to the dentist, etc.)

9. God definitely comes first, but not right now. I appreciate all that Christ has done for me, but I’m just too stressed. I’m sure you’ll be able to count on me some day, just not now. I know my kids aren’t getting the God-comes-first message. But I can’t say “no” to these other things, right? Someday everything will calm down and we will definitely make God a priority then.