Over the last several months, I’ve logged thousands of miles on the road. And let me tell you, there are two things you’ll never run out of in this country: gas station coffee and church signs.
You’ve seen them too: the pithy slogans, the punny proverbs, the bold declarations in block letters.
“Jesus is the answer!”
“God is good, all the time!”
“Come as you are!”
“God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”
There’s no shortage of spiritual marketing out there. But somewhere between “John 3:16” and “Sunday Worship @ 11,” I started asking myself a different question, one that your church sign can’t answer:
Why should I trust you with my family?
Don’t get me wrong: Jesus’ reputation is rock solid. God’s track record? Flawless.
But churches? Christians? Church folk?
Let’s just say that’s where the reviews get mixed.
It’s not about your sign. It’s about your soul.
You may proudly quote Scripture and sing every hymn in the hymnal, but if your church isn’t welcoming, protective and safe, especially for kids, then what message are you really sending?
- Do you judge people based on how they’re dressed or who they sit with?
- Are you gossiping instead of growing?
- Do you run background checks on those who serve around children?
- Can a young family feel both spiritually fed and practically safe within your walls?
Because spoiler alert: parents aren’t just choosing a sermon. They’re choosing safety.
What families are really asking
Let’s be honest. Families today are asking a very different set of questions than generations before:
- Who’s watching the kids, and have they been vetted?
- What happens if my child says someone made them uncomfortable?
- Does this church take protection as seriously as it takes praise?
Because while your sign might say “God is love,” we’re wondering if your people will be.
And one more thing: grooming happens in plain sight
Grooming doesn’t always look evil. Sometimes it looks like generosity. Like charm. Like someone who always shows up to help. But beneath the surface, it can be a slow, strategic attempt to gain trust, isolate a child and break down boundaries, inch by inch.
Here’s the question: do you know enough about grooming to recognize it in your own congregation?
This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness. Pastoring is sacred and hard work; we get it. But with that calling comes accountability. So pray for discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to expose anything that doesn’t belong. And make sure your church is equipped, not just inspired.
Because kids deserve more than good intentions. They deserve protection.
Don’t just quote Christ. Reflect Him.
At PPE Kids, we love the church. But more than that, we love children, and we know God does too. So if you want families to walk through your doors (and stay), remember:
It’s not about how good God is; we already know. It’s about how trustworthy you are.
Want to be the church families choose, not just pass by?
Let us help you:
- Run state-specific background checks
- Train your staff to spot grooming and act with confidence
- Build clear, enforceable child protection policies
- Create a space where families know they’re truly safe and seen
