Family Integration Part One

This post would probably be seventeen pages long if I did it in one so we'll break it up a bit. Fair?

I went to a church service today to see a friend's child get baptized. It was pretty good. I was relieved to hear him qualify appropriately about child baptism (dedication) and believers baptism since she was five and completely petrified. Lol Poor kid. I don't think I've ever seen as tight a grip as that kid had on her Mom.

Funny thing he quoted by Winston Churchhill:

If you are going through hell...keep going. FUNNY!

It made me miss Calvary pretty bad though. I am way too loyal for my own good. I mean, I literally MISSED the pastor of my own church by seeing a different one operate. Sheesh. I am so lame. On the phone to Jeff (in Vero) on the way home, I found myself literally dissecting how he did it, his personality traits and preaching style, exposition vs. dispensation, etc. etc. Then I caught myself and was like. WHOA. WHO AM I????? Big fat nobody, that's who.

Sorry folks, I just like PD better. So shoot me.

It also got me further thinking about family integration. Yep people. You may officially call me a dedicated, die-hard, revolutionist family integration believer. Let's just take said service today:

I had to leave the kids at home since it was not....Family Integrated.
I could not have ever left them in the company of strangers (specifically only Kate at this point which actually makes it even tougher) so how does one even visit a church without leaving their children at home or in the company of strangers??? And you all know that churchies (as my sexy SIL calls them) are the WEIRDEST of people.
So if one wants to visit a church that is not family integrated, one leaves their kids with a sitter or strangers?
What if the parents like the church? Then they have to visit again and again before making a decision and before anyone leaves their kids with strangers they would rightly GET TO KNOW THEM FIRST right? RIGHT?
I know, I know, WRONG. GO ahead. Leave them on with the strange churchies. Whatev.
You suffer your consequences, I'll suffer mine.

A friend yesterday was telling me of this woman who had charge of her children in a group setting said some pretty unbelievable things to them...and I thought. Well, there ya' go.
So at the very least, a church really should at least OFFER the ability to keep kids with you. I mean in a thousand different circumstances you are leaving the ability to attend church completley OUT OF THE QUESTION if you do not offer this option.
By the way? Yes, my church does. Soon anyway! Woohoo!