Spiritual teaching and training of children are the responsibility of the parents primarily (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 4 10 1119), but the church also bears responsibility (Hebrews 13:17). Spiritual teaching and training of the parents in the Word is, certainly, the responsibility of the church (Ephesians 4:11). Therefore, the place to begin with training children is with their parents!

Churches helping educate the family unit.

In many congregations there is a great diversity among the parents in their Bible knowledge and the application of that knowledge to their every-day lives. The lack of knowledge and application of biblical principles is evident in all religious organizations as well as in the Lord's church. Recent studies have shown that only about one-third of the adults who are "church-goers" actually apply biblical principles to everyday life (George Cornell, "Religious Education Needed to Build Faith," Oregonian, Portland, Ore., Feb.10, 1990). The church can fulfill its responsibility to provide training for parents in many ways.

Some of the programs being used for this purpose are a Basic Principles Class where those involved restudy the rudiments of the faith; Support Groups for sharing in problem solving in specific areas such as parenting, addictions, etc.; Life Groups which vary in their main thrust, but in which close friendships among people with similar family units can develop; Parenting Classes which study specific topics of interest to those participating.

While the church is adequately providing these mentioned programs for the training and support of parents, it can also encourage those parents by providing help in the spiritual training of the children in activities other than regular Sunday morning Bible classes.

The present reality is that more mothers are having to work away from home and one-parent homes are increasing. This reality makes finding proper care for young children a real challenge. Families are frustrated and need help in coping with the problem of providing proper care for their children when the one parent must work. Caring parents want quality early childhood education for their small children. Federally subsidized day care will not provide the spiritual training that can be provided by members of the church. Some might say that this period in history is "the worst of times" for families.

Happily, many congregations are already helping families with child care and spiritual training. What a great opportunity to glorify God through helping parents find proper care for their young children. Perhaps your congregation can develop a program for training children while providing proper care for those children.

Some ways that the church is providing help will be discussed below, but before specific examples are given, there are some fundamentals to any child-care program that should be addressed.

The use of church facilities for child-care-related programs requires a real commitment from both the church leadership and the staff involved in the programs. With cooperation and consideration from all the individuals who use the facilities, this type of ministry can be successful. Louise Lambrecht directs such a preschool program at Mission Viejo, Calif.

It is never the intent of any program to encourage young mothers to leave home but rather to provide means of support for those who must. The intent or purpose includes reaching out to families with the Gospel in actual practice, loving and protecting the children, helping the families in time of need, providing a "family" for single-parent families and sending children home at night who feel content and happy.

Basic curriculum objectives.

Basic curriculum objectives taught in such programs include love and respect for parents, how to be helpful at home and how God takes care of all of us Specific topics are geared to the needs of the children present. Include Bible facts, songs and concepts according to the ability of the child.

In establishing any child-care program, it is important to consider all legal and liability aspects and to comply. If the church accepts no parent or government money, the situation should be simply operating a weekday Bible school the same as Sunday school or VBS. A church should be committed to exceeding guidelines at every opportunity to do so, whether they desire to be licensed or not.

The most critical decisions have to do with personnel or staff. All personnel must he committed to excellence and adequately prepared to perform their specific duties. The staff is the most important component of any program. They have the opportunity to see the family members daily and to use this time to uplift and affirm those members as the Scriptures direct. They must be dedicated to serving the Lord by ministering to the young children and parents in the community.

A program that includes a devotional by the staff for their own upbuilding, chapel time in which the children engage in devotion and worship, prayers at meal times, Christian singing, enjoyable Bible lessons and teachers who use Bible principles throughout the day in dealing with all situations would certainly appeal to parents who are looking for help in rearing their children.

Children exposed to Bible truths in such a way on a daily basis become little ministers to their parents who are beset by problems of work and the world. "A little child shall lead them."

Some church sponsored programs.

Some programs in which churches in some areas are now engaged are briefly described:

Mother's Day Out. This is a pro-gram that is varied by the needs of the mothers involved and the facilities and finances available. As the name implies, the children are cared for at the church building or in a home while parents are relieved of the responsibility of child care for a period of time. The hours may be only two hours one day a week to two full days each week or more. The staff members in some cases are paid at least partly by the church. Schedules can be changed to fit the needs of those in attendance.

The Lakeview Church of Christ in Tacoma, Wash., has conducted such a program since 1974. They have adjusted the program several times to changing needs. At this time they are using older women in their program so that the children can have some "grandmother" time. Preschool. This is a program that offers more than child care and is used as a basis for readying children for kindergarten. The staff leader necessarily has had training and experience in planning and facilitating such a program.

Day Care. Day care provides a situation where parents can leave children in the care of others while they carry on other activities. Some day-care programs stipulate that the child be in attendance certain hours. Some are available for "drop ins" who may spend only an hour or so at unspecified times of the day. Whatever the situation, the time with the child should be used to teach Christian principles.

Full-day Christian Preschool/Day Care. This program provides early morning and late day care for preschoolers as well as before and after regular school care for school-aged children. Infused in this program are daily devotional and Bible lessons for all the children on specific levels to fit the needs of those present.

A preschool is available for those needing pre-kindergarten training. Care is extended in the late afternoon for children whose parents must pick them up after work. This is a very comprehensive program. It can provide for "drop ins" also.

In-Home Care. The mother who is able to stay at home with her child/children has the wonderful opportunity to care for another child/children whose mother must work outside the home. This could serve as an outreach to non-Christians, helping a fellow- Christian while adding to the finances of the person giving the care.

Such a program is highly recommended by Iris Williams who operates a day care in her home next to the church building in Florence, Ore. Just being caring adults to friends of your own children is of great influence.

In-Class Helpers. It is important that people who do not know the Gospel and are interested be given help in caring for their children during class time so that they will not be distracted. Individual Christians can offer to hold babies or care for young children so that the parents can participate in the class. This type of help can be structured so that caring for the children is not haphazard. Parents of older children and older people in good health can form a Class Helpers Group and fulfill this great need.

Because the descriptions of these programs had to be brief, the bibliography accompanying this article is recommended for use in contacting any reference of interest for more details. Another source for information is denominational and state-operated day cares, preschools and kindergartens in your area. Most of these programs offer visitation to those interested in developing a similar program.

There are probably some people in your congregation that have operated or worked in a public or private preschool. Ask around... this is a wonderful opportunity to make this period in history "the best of times" for the families.

1 Contact Mary Patterson by e-mail at ACCEBILL@aol.com or at 10255 S.E. Tower Dr., Gresham, OR 97080.

Mary Patterson "Who Will Train the Children?" Gospel Advocate, 132,8(August, 1990): 26-27.

More mothers are having to work away from home and one-parent homes are increasing. This reality makes finding proper care for young children a real challenge.