[irelady10]

I am thinking of taking my fs to an church that has a large congregation of AA; we wouldn't leave the church we go to now, just go to the other church once or twice a month. Is the any reason NOT to do this? My fs is still a baby, but this is a routine I would like to get in now. I think it would expose him to parts of his culture and possibly some mentors, when he gets older.

[veggiegirl]

No drawbacks that I can think of. You might get some disapproving looks from some of the members, but you'll probably get the same at a CC church - just can't please everyone, you know! I'm trying to convince my DH we should do the exact same thing!

[Jensboys]

we moved churches completely and have never looked back. Our church is our FAMILY and we have been encompassed I wouldn't want our kids to think that it was a part time thing going to a church that reflected them -- I wanted them to know it was OUR family too.

[Wisdom]

I think it's a great idea! Even more than exposing him to a part of his culture and possible mentors as you stated, it shows that your love for your fs goes beyond the comfort zone of being a minority in a group and that speaks volumes.

[Sohmakun]

If it were my choice I would send my child to a diverse church with people of all races and ethnicities. In fact until I was about 18 I had never met an Asian or Latino person. I think that would have prepared me better for school in San Francisco where only 9% of the students were black.

[joskids]

We had to look around but found a Catholic church in the city with a very diverse congregation and, yes, they are definitely like family. Most of the members of our church are AA, but they would never look at you any differently if you are CC and walk into our church. I like your idea of taking your child to a new church on occasion.

[irelady10]

Originally Posted by Jensboys

we moved churches completely and have never looked back. Our church is our FAMILY and we have been encompassed I wouldn't want our kids to think that it was a part time thing going to a church that reflected them -- I wanted them to know it was OUR family too.

Jensboy...we are part of a church family now, but i want to broaden our horizons. i'd rather not think of it as a part-time thing...rather, as another church family we will be adding to our lives. there are several reasons we won't now be going every week to this new church, two of them being that we are bonded with people in our current church and the other church is VERY far away, and its tough to commit to this distance every week with an infant...if it was around the corner, it would be a completely different story!

[millie58]

I'm AA and me and my boys go to a mixed racial and ethnic church. They need to see everyone. My other problem with the AA churches in my area is that the service is 3 hours. Not that I don't need it but honestly, I don't think I need to be in church 3 hours. The church I go to has a CC minister, but also has Hispanics, other AA's and ties to Asians. Kids need to be exposed to all people.

[Sohmakun]

OMG! This is also my experience with going to an all black church! One time the pastor called me out for walking to my car in the middle of service. Mind you that the service started at 10 AM and I left around 3:00PM! Now granted, I love the Lord with all my heart but I have a life that exist outside of church KWIM?

[irelady10]

Originally Posted by Sohmakun

OMG! This is also my experience with going to an all black church! One time the pastor called me out for walking to my car in the middle of service. Mind you that the service started at 10 AM and I left around 3:00PM! Now granted, I love the Lord with all my heart but I have a life that exist outside of church KWIM?

LOL...I would go to a Catholic church, and the mass I would go to has another one scheduled 2 hours later, so I know it won't last more that 1 1/2 hours!!

[millie58]

My 2 older boys have siblings adopted by a woman in Georgia (we're in NY). She goes to a church that has a 3 hour service in the morning and a 2-3 hour service in the evening. OMG!! I have nothing against but ish!!

[Sohmakun]

Yep, thats how it is in the South.

[spicedmama]

My opinion. I think they should go to the church that you attend. That is your family's church home. If you would like to expose them to cultural/ethnic activities, there should be other avenues to do so within your community. Go to where the family feels comfortable. If there is a special program at the "other" church, then that would be great to expose them to at that time.

And, not all Black churches last 3 to 4 hours or more. It depends on the denomination. Pentecostal/Holiness churches do tend to go longer than "the norm."

[adoptionblessin]

Hi, I go to the church that lasts 3hrs but I love it. When I joined I did not have children and I was the only CC member. But they are great I am close to our Pastor and he has become like a father to me. I then adopted two children one who was 10 now 15 CC and a newborn AA daughter now 4. The men have become mentors for my son as I am a single parent so it has been great for us. You have to do what you feel is right for your family.