Divided Assemblies

A growing phenomenon in the modern religious scene is the notion that, in order to appeal to young people, churches must divide their worship assemblies into smaller groups, which cater the perceived needs of specific ages. Some “small groups ministries” involve the formation of a “children’s church,” which meets somewhere else, while the grownups are meeting in the main auditorium. Others subdivide the kids into special groups for teenagers, adolescents and smaller children, which have their own activities apart from the worship of the adults. Still, others divide the adults into smaller groups, which meet in the homes of other brethren, or in nursing homes, and other institutions. These divided worship assemblies take place mostly on Sunday nights, but they are also known to be part of the Sunday morning routine, in some congregations.

Many brethren raise nary an eyebrow to this practice. To them, it is “no big deal.” But, what does the Bible say about the worship assemblies of the church? Did the ancient church ever divide its worship assemblies along the lines of age? Is there any precedent in the New Testament for such a practice? Do divided worship assemblies really produce the results that people anticipate?

What’s wrong with having divided worship assemblies?

An Absence of Biblical Authority

The greatest problem with “children’s church” and “small groups ministries” is that there is no authority granted for such practices, in the New Testament. When the ancient church assembled for the purpose of worshipping God, all the members of the local congregations were expected to be present (Hebrews 10:25). Even when a worship service took place during the evening hours, there was never any indication that some were excluded from being part of the assembly (Acts 20:7). Sometimes, it is argued that such a practice is no different than when the church divides into smaller groups for the purpose of Bible study. Indeed, there are many examples of small groups of people meeting for the purpose of Bible study, in the New Testament (Acts 5:42). But, when the church assembled to worship God, everyone was supposed to be included (1 Corinthians 11:20-34). Divided worship assemblies do not just remove children from the main group of worshippers, but also adults who are overseeing the children. Instead of worshipping with their brethren, they are babysitting in another location. Some may argue that this practice is no different than what goes on, when a parent takes a crying baby into a nursery, or a training room. But, the difference is that, in most cases, they can still follow along with what is going on in the assembly of the saints. They do not have to exclude themselves and their children from worshipping God.

A Lack of Indented Results

Divided assemblies are not only wrong from a Scriptural standpoint, but they are also wrong from a practical standpoint. For many years, the Stop Nine Church of Christ, in Byesville, Ohio had a huge youth group, which existed virtually independently from the rest of the church. They had their own worship, their own Bible studies and their fellowship activities – separate from everyone else. After a while, the elders began to notice that most of the youth who came up through this system tended not to worship with the adults, when the time came for them to do so. After some checking, they found out that their young people felt out of place in the main assembly of the church, because they had always been excluded from it. They were accomplishing the opposite of their intended result!

When youth groups “skip church” to go to hockey games, or have super bowl parties, or play basketball, what lessons are they learning? When little children are excluded from the worship services of the church, so they can go somewhere else and play, what are we teaching them? It just stands to reason that, if we want our kids to value and appreciate worship, we must not exclude them from it. Children need to see that church is important to their parents, in order to learn that it is important to them. Don’t take your kids to church with the intention of getting rid of them for an hour. Take them to church with the intention of worshipping God with them!

Consider also the needs of adults in a local congregation. They are supposed to know and care for one another (Romans 12:10). How can they do so, if they are divided from one another on Sunday evenings? How are visitors at these assemblies supposed to meet the elders of the church, if they are away with one of the small groups? Indeed, how are the elders supposed to oversee a flock that is scattered in various locations?