I would venture to guess that every church that does a family service does it differently. At least, I hope that is the case. Every church has a different church culture, different leadership, different strengths, and the family service should reflect that.
For our kids’ ministry, we use 252 Basics curriculum. Along with the license for the kids’ curriculum, we are also provided with the Family Experience scripts. The scripts include a welcome skit with a comic host and credible host, an intro and exit sketch featuring characters from a kids’ clubhouse, the Bible lesson, and usually a rapid response game that reinforces the lesson. (If you’re curious about what this all looks like, you should sign up for the three-month free trial of 252 Basics.) We use some of those elements and then we add in some of our own stuff.
Our services last an hour and the order of service looks like this…
Welcome/Introduce Virtue
Intro Sketch
Family Game
Family Friendly Worship
Offering
Word and reflection
Family Game
Exit Sketch/Wrap Up
Family Game
Dismissal
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to break down each of the elements and explain how we do them and why we have opted to do it that way. Keep in mind that some of what we do is because that is the way our curriculum is set up, but most of the ideas can be transferred to any church using any curriculum. I certainly do not think we have perfected the family service, but I think we do a really good job based on what we have. We have changed things along the way to make it better and we are constantly improving, which is a good sign.
Check back often to make sure you get the full scope of how and why we do what we do. My hope is that through this series at least one church will be inspired to start a family service or to improve what they are already doing.
So the whole family comes to your Wednesday night group? Or is this Sunday? We’ve been thinking about doing this as well — how did you get started? Any advice/glitches?
The family services are once a month on a Sunday night. We considered many options and this seemed to work best for our church.
I’ll be posting more on this soon, but I’m also going to send you a seperate email with some details.
I like the new post. Did you send the email — I don’t remember getting it. Thanks, looking forward to hearing more!
It should be in your inbox. I just now sent it.
I know this post is old, but I love the logo. May I use it for our church’s Family Experience that we are starting up? I would rather not use it without permission. I’ll create something else if needed. 🙂 Just let me know. markl@centergrovechurch.org Thanks!
Sure. I’ll try to email you a higher res version.