Church builds character; let’s not deny it to our children

Whenever there is a flare-up of serious crime in Barbados, the Church is normally criticised for not doing enough to help wayward youth. During the last flare-up, it was recommended that children should attend church to reduce the risk of them becoming wayward. People who attend church tend to take their children with them. However, others may be unaware of this benefit to our children.

School is a place where bullies thrive and the less proficient fear ridicule if they try. Church is the opposite. Bullies are sorted out and children are made to overcome their fears by performing before the congregation.

Driving away fear

Children may be assigned: scriptures to read, songs to sing, plays to perform, instruments to play, notices to read, and even mini-sermons to preach. All children are assured of one thing. They will be applauded for their effort, with the greatest applause reserved for the least proficient to encourage them to keep trying.

When their name is called to perform, they are encouraged as they walk to the platform. When they sit down at the end, they are encouraged by those around them. After the service, they are encouraged by the young adults, middle-aged and elderly who understand that children can only get better with practice; therefore, they must be given many opportunities to practice.

If children botch their performances to a level where it could not be delivered any worse, they will never be reminded of it—and the applause at the end may drive away any thoughts of giving up. At church, children are part of a community of encouragers.

Developing responsible citizens

The youth become part of organisations where they elect leaders, become competent in assigned responsibilities and learn through their inevitable failures. Young adults are encouraged to become part of formal meetings where rules of such meetings are observed. They learn to politely articulate their concerns, sometimes formed by their new employment responsibilities.

If young adults are elected to serve on a committee, they quickly learn the value of money, budgeting, avoiding waste, and doing what is affordable when it is affordable.

It is easier for adults to encourage efforts and forgive errors of children than those of other adults. Adults normally expect that certain standards must be maintained, and when they are not, may harshly judge those less proficient—which creates conflict. In the Church, conflicts are opportunities to forgive, which demonstrates a love of God.

Professional churches

The Church helps in developing responsible citizens. Those parents who do not take their children to church do them a grave disservice. It must be acknowledged that some churches may have forgotten Jesus’ instruction to “tend My lambs”, which includes opportunities to allow them to practice.

In those churches, everything seems to be done to the standard of a professional concert. There are no noticeable mistakes. While that may satisfy those attending to be entertained, it robs children of opportunities to be encouraged—and the congregation of opportunities to encourage them.

Grenville Phillips II is a Doctor of Engineering and a Chartered Structural Engineer. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com.