Family-Integrated Worship

At Elk Community Church, one of our distinctives is our commitment to keep families—children included—together in worship. While many churches separate families into age-based programs, we believe Scripture gives parents the primary responsibility for teaching their children the faith. Our role as a church is not to replace that calling, but to support it. Throughout the Bible, children are included whenever God’s people gather. They heard the reading of the Law, joined in celebrations and fasts, and were even directly addressed in the New Testament letters read aloud in public worship.

Keeping children in the service blesses them in profound ways. Week after week, they hear the gospel, listen to Scripture, observe prayer, and learn the patterns of worship—not only from the pastor, but from watching their parents and other believers take their faith seriously. It also blesses the church family. The sound of little voices reminds us that the church is alive and growing, and their simple faith often teaches us more than we expect.

Of course, this approach brings challenges. Children can be noisy, and parents can grow weary. That’s why we ask our church family to respond with patience and grace, especially to visiting families who may be unfamiliar with this approach. We want them to know their children are welcome—wiggles, whispers, and all. At the same time, we recognize that our congregation includes singles, widows, grandparents, and those without children. Family-integrated worship is not about elevating the nuclear family, but about cultivating a church family that welcomes everyone.

Finally, we are reminded that while Scripture calls us to evangelize and disciple our children, it also warns us not to make an idol of family. Jesus taught that our first love must be Him. When Christ is at the center, our love for both our earthly families and our church family finds its proper place. That is the heart behind our commitment to glorify Christ in all that we do, both young and old.

We invite you to join us in worshipping Christ, our King, this Christmas. Come and sing your favorite Christmas hymns with us as we celebrate Christ’s first advent and anticipate His second. Our Sunday service begins at 10:00am and our Christmas Eve service will be at 7:00pm. And don’t forget to bring your children!