Comments on: Training timeliness: Room closures

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:50:23 +0000

Hmmm? Christian you have shed new light on this topic for me and have given me good stuff to think about and chew on. Thanks for sharing a different voice. I personally am a real stickler for time, but this gives me some things to take into consideration. I’ll keep thinking.

By: Kenny

Kenny — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:58:04 +0000

Good stuff Christian! As frustrating as it is for the parents who come back late week after week, there are those who do show up late that really need to be there. Kindly telling then that when they come back on time the next time might just be the same as telling them, “thanks, but no thanks!”

But as Jonathan said, I see no reason why you wouldn’t encourage parents to come on time, especially the ones who are regulars and always late. Far to often we don’t say what needs to be said because we’re afraid of confrontation.

By: Christian

Christian — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:33:37 +0000

I agree that parents should receive some sort of “training” (well, then again, they’re not dogs!) on getting to church on time. There’s just so much value for them to get there early.

However, I find that the people who get here late are *exactly* the people who need that “welcome, so glad you are here” message from us. They didn’t look at the clock as they were parking and say, “well, it’s too late now… might as well turn around and go back home. The Sunday New York Times is waiting.” They got out and want a connection instead.

I know it’s inconvenient for us and distracting for the children, but don’t we want to teach children that the lesson they are receiving is about more than their little group? Accepting the “late kids” might actually teach them about outreach.

Additionally, I feel that if we close the classrooms we actually punish the wrong people. None of these children have the power to get here earlier; they are all brought by late parents/adults.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:25:32 +0000

we have three services on Sunday AM and they’re all so short, that letting kids in late isn’t a huge distraction. I usually say something kind to encourage parents to bring them on time, but I know they’re ignoring me…

At the church in Dallas I was at it was a one service, over 2 hour experience; and that was a much bigger distraction to let someone in 1 hour in.