Church’s viral policy welcoming ‘loud’ children prompts online debate

A Pennsylvania Church A new policy welcoming “loud” children went viral this week, sparking a heated debate online between people who believe noisy children are a sign of a thriving group and others who feel they are an inappropriate distraction.

Mount Washington United Brethren Church, located in York, Pennsylvania, enacted the policy with a memo stating: “At Mount Washington Church, we are committed to transparency and accountability in all matters of church life” before detailing “comprehensive procedures regarding noisy children in worship.” The church asked members to consider the memo “a formal notice of policy clarification” before publishing the new rules:

“Effective immediately, if a family is considering visiting Mount Washington Church and they have a vocal child, the following options are available:

Option 1. The family must bring the child.

Option 2. The family must make sure to bring the child.

Option 3: The family must make sure to bring the child to church.

Option 4. Baby is completely welcome and expected.

“We believe that the voice of children in worship is not a distraction. It is evidence of the life, growth and future of the church,” the memo said.

“If your child makes noise, you don’t bother us,” the church continued. “You bless us. The policy is enacted. No exceptions.”

A Pennsylvania church went viral this week for a new policy welcoming “noisy” children. (Godong/Global Image Collection via Getty Images)

The note, which was shared on various social media platforms, quickly went viral. “Church is not a nursery,” some declared, while many pointed out that their parents would not have tolerated such a thing in a previous generation. But many celebrated this policy and expressed their admiration for its welcoming message.

Mount Washington UB Church’s pastor, Alan Harpold, told Fox News Digital that he is glad the policy has gained so much attention.

“We were thrilled to see this post idea gain so much traction not only from our post, but from sharing and recreating the post, bringing the idea of ​​how important it is for families to worship together. Jesus himself says in the book of Matthew to let the little children come to him,” Harpold said. Fox News Digital.

“Some of the critics I’ve seen commenting online have said that parents should make sure their kids are calm, learn discipline and how to sit still, etc., and we completely agree that parents should raise their kids, help them learn and care,” Harpold continued. “But the most important part is getting the kids to church in the first place, and we want to have an atmosphere that welcomes families to come and worship without fear of being ‘noisy’ or ‘too much’.”

Dr. Steve Grisevich, a retired child and adolescent psychiatrist, wrote “Child Psychiatry for Christians.” Substack Asking whether the viral tweet could be a “catalyst for change in the church’s approach to families of children with significant emotions and behaviors.” He said posting the note on his personal Facebook page received more “likes” and shares than anything he posted in 18 years.

“The church in Pennsylvania has clearly addressed an issue that resonates with many families, and its invitation to families raising children who may have difficulties managing significant emotions and behaviors reflects the position most Christians expect to see from their leaders,” Grisevich wrote.

He continued, “I would say that families affected by mental illness represent the largest population underserved by the church in North America. The traction this message is getting on X and Facebook indicates that we need to do a better job of welcoming them.” “However, one of the most common objections we encounter from pastors and church leaders about reaching out to families raising children with significant emotional, behavioral, or developmental disabilities or trauma is that their presence in worship may negatively impact the experience of others.”

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Many believe that children should be welcomed to be themselves in church. (Getty Images)

Grisevich examined the arguments from both sides and concluded by writing, “Let us hope that the voice of children in worship will resonate throughout churches across North America, demonstrating God’s blessings on the life, growth, and future of the church.”

“I love this so much,” New York Times columnist David French, who shared the note on X, wrote.

Andrew Colvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, wrote, “As a father of three young children, there is a big difference between being reasonably tolerant of the sound of children who they know will sometimes be loud or crying, and embracing the chaos and disruption of a misplaced sense of tolerance. Children should be taught to respect mixed-gender settings like movies, restaurants, and church. This is called good parenting.”

One churchgoer described the negative reaction to the policy as “disgusting.”

“Do you think anyone in that church wants that child to be quiet more than his parents do? That’s why a lot of parents give up trying to go home.” [because] From every sideways glance they receive from righteous people whenever their child speaks above a whisper.” Published on X.

Jack Wilkie, who believes that children should be taught how to behave properly, also examined the policy of “resetting the church.” Substack. While he said young parents would be frustrated by the constant judgment of unruly children, he found some flaws in the policy.

“It doesn’t say, ‘We’ll work with you to train them.’ “It says it’s not a distraction, which means we’ll sacrifice everything else just to make sure parents of noisy kids keep showing up,” Wilkie wrote.

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Critics believe that “loud” children are a distraction in church. (iStock/Getty Images Plus)

He added: “Being quiet and sitting is not something natural for children, so they have to learn. Learning these things takes months and months and months of reinforcement.” “If we let the kids go crazy, we won’t be able to worship properly either.”

Pro-life advocate Samuel C. believes the issue is simpler than people think.

“Church leadership should always be patient with noisy children. However, parents have a duty to discipline their children to be quiet during service,” Seay wrote.

Many others have shared thoughts on the politics of polarization:

Pastor Alan Harbold said the policy was not his original idea and credited First Baptist Church in Union, Miss., for the concept.

“We made this post last night because I know it exists Mothers “They feel really embarrassed when their kids cry, and we wanted to let them know that they’re welcome, and we love them,” First Baptist Union’s senior pastor, Michael Wilbanks, told Fox News Digital. “The Bible tells us to consider the needs of others above our own.”

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