It’s time to do good! Our annual motto applies especially to our children. And it is good to be anchored in the community. How can children make friends in the church? Here are some tips—and not just for parents.
In our congregations, we worship together, support one another, commit to help others, learn from one another, and through our unity we bear witness to the love of Christ among us. Children should be given the best opportunities to grow into this community. For children who have strong friendships in their congregation, it is easy to feel part of and accepted by the congregation and to play an active role.
The surest basis for integrating children into the congregations is the example set by their parents. If we as parents regularly attend divine services with our children, participate, show genuine interest in others, and meet them with open hearts, the children will do the same in their own way.
The more intensive encounters children can experience, the greater the chance that they will learn how to cultivate a loving relationship. It is not only important for children to have as many peers around them as possible so that they can choose friends from among them. Like a family, the congregation is made up of people of all generations and in different life situations who can foster and enjoy wonderful friendships.
Specific tips for parents: Attend divine services and teaching programmes regularly.
In the lessons, children not only meet other children, they also learn a language through the biblical stories in which they can discuss their personal questions of faith.
Foster your own friendships: Children learn from their parents’ interactions with others. Firstly, we can let them participate in our own friendships and check whether and how we can include them.
Take children with you: Although the church, for example, is cleaned more quickly without a child tagging along, children can also socialise with others through simple activities such as vacuuming together.
Create opportunities: Parents can organise meetings outside of church, for example at home, where the children can spend sufficient time with others in a protected setting.
Exchange: Together with teachers and ministers, parents can find out what opportunities there are for relationship work and how they can organise them together.
Involve neighbouring congregations: Cooperation between two congregations increases the chance of making friends. However, the greater the distance, the more difficult it is to maintain friendships. The shorter the distances, the easier it is for children to come together.
Photo: Ilja – stock.adobe.com
About the author
Maraike Finnern is a teacher and school counsellor at a primary school in Hamburg, Germany. She heads the Working Group Children and Teaching for the Regional Church of Northern and Eastern Germany.