Discipling Our Children

Good Shepherd Kids

We love having children in worship with us—their wiggles, whispers, and wonder are welcome. Jesus meant it when he said, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

From the very beginning, God has called not just individuals but whole households to himself. When he calls mom and dad to worship, he's calling the kids too. We take that seriously at Church of the Good Shepherd.

We also believe it takes a church to raise a Christian. Parents aren't meant to do this alone, and we don't want you to. Walking alongside families in the discipleship of their children is one of our great joys and one of our deepest commitments.

What to Expect When You Bring Your Kids:

Our worship is intentionally active—with Scripture, song, prayer, and response—so that children can participate and begin making the faith their own, not just watch from the sidelines.

We offer nursery care for children aged 2 and under. For young ones still in service, we also have service bags stocked with quiet activities to help young children engage during the sermon. For restless little ones who need to move, we have space for that—parents are welcome to step out or shift around as needed. We have a genuine tolerance for kid noise, so please don't spend the whole service shushing.

Beyond Sunday Mornings:

We believe parents are the primary disciplers of their children — but they were never meant to carry that calling alone. The church stands with them. As the title of one of our favorite books puts it, It Takes a Church to Baptize. The promises made at the baptismal font belong to the whole congregation, and we take that responsibility seriously.

We are not a program-heavy church. We would rather cultivate depth than accumulate offerings. What we provide, we provide with intention — and genuine formation happens in more ways than any single program can contain.

One of our deepest convictions is that the generations belong together. We do not believe in sorting people by age and sending them to separate spaces. Children learn what it looks like to follow Christ by watching the faithful adults around them. And those same adults are regularly reminded of the simplicity and wonder of faith by the children in their midst. Integration is not merely a strategy for us — it is a theological commitment.

With that said, we do offer several intentional opportunities for children and youth:

Catechism — We walk through the foundations of the Christian faith in a structured and unhurried way, so that children (and adults) may know what they believe, why they believe it, and to whom they belong.

Opportunities to Sing — Children who sing the faith are children who learn the faith. We provide regular opportunities for kids to lift their voices together in worship.

Occasional Youth Gatherings — Our older children and young adults gather periodically for fellowship and formation. Details are announced through the bulletin and newsletter.