Jesus: ‘Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them for such is of the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14
Trinity Church doesn’t have a specific church policy on the presence of kids in the worship service. We shouldn’t have to have such a policy! Why would we want to take our children outside of the sanctuary when the Word of God is proclaimed in all its glory inside the sanctuary? Certainly, kids will occasionally get rambunctious, throw things, run down the aisle after escaping from an older sibling’s care, or cry loudly until a figure of authority gives them attention.
Parents will have to take action to address willful disobedience, and they should remove themselves and their upset little one from the sanctuary until order is restored.
May I say, churches do the parents in their membership a great service if they keep a couple of rows open at the back of the sanctuary for parents and their little ones. Little ones often have to go outside the sanctuary during worship, and they don’t have as far to go if they’re seated in the back rows. Or make a scene, if a church recognizes this, and reserves seating for parents and their children.
A friend sent the below article to me recently. It’s pro-kid. Like me.
From a notice posted to Facebook on February 25th, 2026 (and credited to Mississippi’s First Baptist Union) by Mount Washington United Brethren in Christ, a church in York, Pennsylvania:
Mt. Washington Church Official Release – Notification of Policy Change – re: Loud Kid Policy. Effective immediately.
At Mt. Washington Church, we are committed to transparency and accountability in all matters of church life” before detailing “comprehensive procedures regarding loud children in worship.” The church asked members to consider the memo their “official notice of policy clarification” before posting the new rules:
“Effective immediately, if a family is considering visiting Mt. Washington Church and they have a loud kid, the following options are available:
Option 1. The family should bring the kid.
Option 2. The family should make sure they bring the kid.
Option 3: The family is to see that the child is brought to church.
Option 4. The kid is absolutely welcome and expected.
“We believe the sound of children in worship is not a distraction. It is evidence of life, growth, and the future of the church,” the memo stated.
“If your child makes noise, you are not bothering us,” the church continued. “You are blessing us. Policy enacted. No exceptions.”
We’ve been having a good number of children and their parents show up at Trinity Church over the past several months. Let’s do all that we can to support them. It is well said that the presence of children in worship is a strong indicator of church health.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Daren
Trinity Presbyterian Church 