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AIBU?

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Original poster

Anyone got experience of church Kids Club for non-religious kids

91 replies

toooooo · 04/07/2018 19:08

Posting for traffic

Took DS 5 to a new kids club today first time as recommended by another school parent. 1.5hrs free childcare (you can leave and come back), sounded good.

When I picked up DS I asked if they did anything religious and he said they talked about God etc. As he's young I didn't know exactly what they said and he didn't explain well.

Anyway - it sounded fab, as a LP with limited time. But I don't want him indoctrinated in some religion by a random kids club. Is that what they might try to do? Anyone got any ideas how these groups work??

Many thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
toooooo · 04/07/2018 19:08

PS he seemed to have a good time otherwise and the people there were nice enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
toooooo · 04/07/2018 19:09

it was a Christian church BTW. Looking at the website they go on about the alpha course and they look like a more "modern" church if that means anything??

OP posts:
TheMagnificentEthel · 04/07/2018 19:15

Go ask this in forums for exchristian.com. You will not want to send him after reading the replies.

Metoodear · 04/07/2018 19:17

Why don’t you ask to sit on to see it really depends on what end of the spectrum they are on groovy Church of England or Eveangelical nuts

NannyR · 04/07/2018 19:20

If it's anything like our church it will be crafts, football, board games etc then snack and a Christian themed story or song. The best way to find out is to go along, you'd be made very welcome!

SprogletsMum · 04/07/2018 19:20

My dc went to a church holiday club last year. It was fab. 3 hours free childcare with lunch and all the cakes they could eat included.
There was a bit of religious stuff but not loads. My dc go to a Catholic school despite us not being religious though so their churchy threshold is quite high.

Nikephorus · 04/07/2018 19:21

At most they'll have told them bible stories like feeding the 5,000 or something - no different to telling them Hansel & Gretel or whatever (well, less scary). They don't indoctrinate!!

SoddingUnicorns · 04/07/2018 19:22

But I don't want him indoctrinated in some religion by a random kids club

Then don’t send him to a church kids club? Obviously they’re going to talk about their faith, it’s kind of the point of the clubs.

I’m an atheist btw, but brought up in a manse with Dad being a minister.

So although I don’t believe I think it’s a bit Confused to send your kid to a church club and expect them not to talk about religion. Why send him?

Wellthisunexpected · 04/07/2018 19:22

I can help- I help run a small church kids club. It's in a community building. We have kids of primary school age and parents leave them.

We have a range of activities- a craft, a games console, 2 board games (connect 4 and another, non religious one) and we give them squash and toast.

The craft is usually related to the 'talk' for example one week we sewed animal ears as we were talking about how Jesus listens to us, we decorated crosses at Easter and talked about the Easter story. We also do 10 minutes physical activity (usually dancing to Christian pop). Before they all sit down for the talk. The talk is a very simply explained Bible story and moral message (e.g good Samaritan, be nice to people etc).

It's presented very much as "this is what we believe" not "this is what you must believe".

We are from a church and we run the group to bring God to the community however the conversations we have during activities centre around school, friends, if anything is worrying them or they are excited about things, not religious talk.

We understand that young people often want to emulate adults they like and respect and are very careful to ensure that they have the opportunity to explore Christianity but not "you must be a Christian" or "you must believe this". Obviously we'd love it if they all become Christians but we aren't indoctrinating anyone- faith can only come from God.

It is a church run group, so there will be mention of God and Jesus, the Bible etc. I've yet to meet a community youth club run by the church that was insistent on church attendance or belief though.

Original poster
toooooo · 04/07/2018 19:23

hi sodding, I only realised today that it was a church one. The lady who recommended it didn't explain that it was put on by a religious group. She just said come with her after school and it turned out to be a church...

OP posts:
MaisyPops · 04/07/2018 19:24

It depends on the church.

My church it's very 'nice activities, end with a message from the parables about being a kind perspn'. Mix of church and non church children. Church is middle of the road and liberal.

Another local church it's 75% church children, all about Jesus being ypur superhero and how we all need God's love to get to heaven. The implication is 'we are awesome because we have God... if you don't have God then you should be worried'. It's very conversion orientated but even within attenders there's a cluster of church 'core' who are all heavily involved in the church and then wider people.

I'd send my kids to the first type but keep them well away from the second.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 04/07/2018 19:25

If you want the free childcare, you don’t get to put conditions on it.
The sheer cheek of you!

SoddingUnicorns · 04/07/2018 19:26

Ah ok that wasn’t clear in the OP so I apologise for the assumption.

My experience of church kids clubs is that they’re pretty laid back and god is incorporated into the fun, rather than the other way round.

But if it makes you uncomfortable see if there are any none church ones around? The woman who told you really should have told you tbh.

Elementtree · 04/07/2018 19:30

Could you point out the bit where op said she expected the group to change grey? I must have missed it.

AppleAndBlackberry · 04/07/2018 19:31

I've helped at this kind of club as a teenager and young adult. Usually it's very non-pushy but there will be Bible stories and prayers as well as crafts, games and maybe songs. Obviously very much intended for parents (Christian or otherwise) who would like their children to experience Christanity on some level so if you really don't at all then it may not be for you.

Warpdrive · 04/07/2018 19:32

Listen, I am a Christian and I run a kids club. They are there for 2 reasons. 1. To serve the local community in love and 2. for evangelism. Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples and kids clubs are a very common way of spreading the word. If you want to avoid your kid hearing that message, then it’s best to stay away.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 04/07/2018 19:33

She said she doesn’t want him “indoctrinated”. Don’t send him so.

Elementtree · 04/07/2018 19:36

Yes, I think that's the point of the op grey. It's clear she is assessing the level of evangelism and whether she should still send him. There isn't any cheek about iit.

Furx · 04/07/2018 19:37

My dd goes to one. I fell into it similarly to the OP, not realising it was a church one.

Im not remotely religious and was a bit apprehensive when dd came home and told me. BUT it is exactly as wellthis explains..
It’s just Some kind people who happen to believe in God doing something nice for the community.

I actually think it’s good she is learning about other faiths, and I make sure I reinforce the ‚‘this is what some people believe‘ message.

SmileEachDay · 04/07/2018 19:39

I’d be very, very wary of the Alpha link.

Their views about homosexuality are indefensible and the practice of speaking in tongues is part of their evangilising. They’re also a multi million ££ organisation.

article about Alpha

I wouldn’t want to support them in any way.

achoocashew · 04/07/2018 19:41

What's wrong with speaking in tongues?!!

zeeboo · 04/07/2018 19:41

If you don't want him hearing about the Lord then don't take advantage of the heavily subsidised holiday club. Simples.

NotAnotherHeffalump · 04/07/2018 19:42

You best bet really would be to sit in on one of their sessions. I run a church-based baby and toddler group, there will obviously will be differences due to age, but we generally see ourselves as just welcoming the community in and letting them see that we are normal people who are interested in them, where they are in life, and maybe just supporting them in that a little with some chat, activities and snacks once a week.

I imagine much of that is similar with the older age range, but with some bible stories/verses thrown in.

Original poster
toooooo · 04/07/2018 19:43

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar - blimey you're a bit rude aren't you? I explained that it was the FIRST time today, I didn't realise it was religious until we got there (at which point it felt a bit weird to just walk out) and following ONE session wondered about other people's experiences with such so I can make a judgement if it's appropriate to send him again. trolling, much?

OP posts:
bostonkremekrazy · 04/07/2018 19:44

you can always ask when you drop him off - they shouldn't mind you asking how much do you talk to the kids about God, because we are not religious...
they may say, oh we play for an hour, have snack, then a 10 minute story from the bible at the end....or whatever.....
If you ask what they do, you can decide then if you feel comfortable with that level of religion for your child....
our holiday club wants more to serve the community, and let the kids know that church is there for anybody that wants - rather than to convert everybody IYSWIM.....there are no prayers at ours either - only a bible story similar to what most kids hear at school.