Helping Children Belong in Church

What does it look like for children to truly be part of worship? For many families, bringing young children to church can feel challenging—especially when attention spans are short or when children have unique learning or sensory needs. But what if worship isn’t just something kids sit through, but something they can actively experience and grow into? In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we’re joined by Madeline Lindke and Dr. Rachel Youngblom, co-authors of "I Can Go to Church!", to talk about why it matters for children to be present in worship and how families and churches can support that experience. Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Madeline and Rachel share how children engage with worship in ways we may not always see, why consistency and participation matter, and how small, intentional steps can help every child feel included. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or church member, this conversation offers encouragement and practical ideas for helping children belong in worship. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/helping-children-belong-in-church.