Large church attendees question...

[disney junky]

Our church has grown to be fairly large in the past few years. Attendance approaches and sometimes surpasses 1000. We have just installed a tracking system for the children.

A parent comes to church and using a touch screen on one of six computers checks in the child or children. This accomodates both visitors and regular attendees. It then prints out a bar coded label which also contains the name of the child and the parent. The parent then wears his or her label and the child wears a matching label.

I am unaware of any children being left behind or given to the wrong person, and I feel this is so cold and impersonal as well as being somewhat intrusive.

I don't know but I think if I were a visitor, I'd really be put off by it, barcoding the kids like that. Have any of you used this system? Is this being used in bigger churches? How would you feel about it?

 

[alabamaalan]

I have never seen the barcode, but most larger churches that I have attended or visited used some sort of identification system.

Generally it has been a tag attached to the child and a matching card, tag for the parents.

Of course, this was for infants, toddlers, and the younger children.

Personally, I find it reassuring, but I can see how a visitor might wonder if there was something to worry aobut.

 

[AmazingGrace]

Only we check in with a volunteer who punches us in by a certain number. Then we get a bar code matching our child's. I think it's a goodm system and the way I see it, with a church that big, lots of things are bound to be impersonal, so it doesn't bother me.

 

[tkd lisa]

We use it. It's a security/safety measure.

All of our workers have to check in as well. And we have volunteers who "man" the doors to the classrooms. If you don't have a tag on, you can't come through. If you're a worker, you get a tag of your own. Parents have their half of the childs' tag. So if you aren't a parent or worker, you can't just wander through.

With as many people as go through our kids building, we would never know if a stranger was there if we didn't do this! And once the classroom door opens, it's very easy for a 2 year old to slide out a door.

Also you can print extra tags to attach to the child's diaper bag or sippie cup so you know whose is whose.

One other benefit is that if a child is dropped off early and the room workers have changed, you can be sure you're giving the child to the right family. I work in the baby nursery (3 month to just before or after walking), so you can't always depend on the child to know who they should go to! And if there is a custody issue, I wouldn't want to be responsible for giving the child over just because they said "Daddy! or Mommy!"

Once you are a "regular" we don't check tags. But if I don't know you, I will make sure the tags match!

I've had many positive comments and no negative ones from visitors.

 

[TLHB70]

Our church uses this system. (We average between 2,00o to 3,000 each Sunday.) However, our system puts the name of the child on the tag not the bar code. It is linked in the computer with some number, though.....like a bar code in a way. When we check in the building, we put our number (part of our phone number) in the touch screen. The screen pulls up all our names (adults and children), then we print our tags. This system contains all of the church members and visitors. It is a way to keep up with where all family members are so that if a child needs a parent there is a quick source to find the parents (which room number location, etc.). It is also a way to keep up with all kids' allergies, medical conditions, etc. The parent with the second, matching tag, must present the tag to pick up the child.

 

[GEM]

OK. Am I the only one who read the title of this thread and thought it was a question about overweight people attending church.

My mistake. Carry on.

 

[cybrkitn]

My nephew's a pastor for an AoG church in VA. Their nursery and Sunday school uses a sheet with a list of the children in that room and assign them a number. The parent gets a sheet of paper with the number written on it. Inside their sanctuary on the left and right side is a digital sign that will display a number. That is to let the parent(s) know if they need to go to their child. When we have visted and our DS was in Sunday school for that day, we had to go and pick him up. It's understandable when DS doesn't know anyone and rarely gets to see his cousins.

My nephew has his services broadcast over the internet and the digital sign cannot be seen if one watches online. Which is good.

 

[laurajetter]

Our church has grown to be fairly large in the past few years. Attendance approaches and sometimes surpasses 1000. We have just installed a tracking system for the children.

A parent comes to church and using a touch screen on one of six computers checks in the child or children. This accomodates both visitors and regular attendees. It then prints out a bar coded label which also contains the name of the child and the parent. The parent then wears his or her label and the child wears a matching label.

I am unaware of any children being left behind or given to the wrong person, and I feel this is so cold and impersonal as well as being somewhat intrusive.

I don't know but I think if I were a visitor, I'd really be put off by it, barcoding the kids like that. Have any of you used this system? Is this being used in bigger churches? How would you feel about it?

Personally I'd have a problem if they DIDN'T do something to ensure the safety of my child. With such a large number of people, to me it only makes sense to use a system that is efficient and error-proof. That's great that no one has been left behind or given to the wrong person so far, and I'd be glad they were doing the most they could to keep it that way.

I really don't see it as a bad thing; I'd rather them be overly concerned than not concerned enough. If they weren't doing this and then something bad happened I'm sure there would be tons of people wondering why they didn't have some kind of system in place to avoid problems like that.

By the way, our church has a sign in sheet to sign your child in and out of the room. Your child and you are given a sticker with their name and a number on it. The number is also written down on the sign in sheet. Similar idea, just not as high tech. I kind of like they way your church does it though!

 

[tkd lisa]

Seeing other posts brought up a couple more thoughts about our system.

Yes, the childs' tag prints out their name. At the bottom of the childs tag is the parents number/letter combo. The parents tag is a number/letter combo that's randomly generated each week. Each family gets one set of number/letters regardless of how many children they have. So the parents aren't wearing 6 sets of tags if they have 6 children.

If there's a problem, then during service a message will scrool ""will the parent holding tag number xyz123 return to the xzy room?" So they know which child has the problem.

I've asked for an update to our system. I'd like it to print out their birthdate/age too, since I've got the little guys, and it would be helpful to know if Johnny is 5 months or just a little 10 month old (i.e. can he eat cheerios?) Even with the regulars, if they are in a different service we might not know if they can have finger food.

I think our system must be fairly standard. I've been out to dinner after church, and seen a child wearing a tag like ours coming into the restroom. I said "Oh, you must go to Baylife?" and their parent said "Nope, we go to the Crossings." Different church in the area, but the tag was EXACTLY the same.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Our church implemented this security system about 4 weeks ago. My DH told the teacher that he was there to pick up SQ437! It does seem impersonal but I can understand the need for it.

Lori

 

[cybrkitn]

Our church implemented this security system about 4 weeks ago. My DH told the teacher that he was there to pick up SQ437! It does seem impersonal but I can understand the need for it.

Lori

Well at least he has a sense of humor! Though it does remind me of THX1138

 

[jimmiej]

We're getting ready to start a program like you descibed. Actually, DW is in charge of setting it up. As another poster said, it's a question of safety & security.

 

[crzy4pooh]

Our church averages 1000+, and we use a tag system. Younger children have a tag that attaches to them, and the parent gets a keychain/bracelet. Older children and parents get wrist bands. We use it for all children 6th grade and under. The parent must have the matching tag in order to pick up the child. We also have the digital sign in the sanctuary that will flash a number if there is a problem. I definitely find it reassuring.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

Our church has grown to be fairly large in the past few years. Attendance approaches and sometimes surpasses 1000. We have just installed a tracking system for the children.

A parent comes to church and using a touch screen on one of six computers checks in the child or children. This accomodates both visitors and regular attendees. It then prints out a bar coded label which also contains the name of the child and the parent. The parent then wears his or her label and the child wears a matching label.

I am unaware of any children being left behind or given to the wrong person, and I feel this is so cold and impersonal as well as being somewhat intrusive.

I don't know but I think if I were a visitor, I'd really be put off by it, barcoding the kids like that. Have any of you used this system? Is this being used in bigger churches? How would you feel about it?

My church is the same - the new system started in Jan., has attendance over 1000, we are in the Philadelphia suburbs.

I think it is a great security system for children who may not be part of a traditional nuclear family. If there are custody issues, a pick up from chruch could be a place for an incident.

Possibly the feeling of cold and impersonal is that you may want to have a better connection at the church and with the children's teachers and classroom assistants? Sometimes it can be difficult for connections in a larger church if you are not plugged into serving in a ministry area or small group.

 

[disney junky]

My church is the same - the new system started in Jan., has attendance over 1000, we are in the Philadelphia suburbs.

I think it is a great security system for children who may not be part of a traditional nuclear family. If there are custody issues, a pick up from chruch could be a place for an incident.

Possibly the feeling of cold and impersonal is that you may want to have a better connection at the church and with the children's teachers and classroom assistants? Sometimes it can be difficult for connections in a larger church if you are not plugged into serving in a ministry area or small group.

Actually, my kids are 21 and 22 so they aren't the issue. I am a former board member and serve weekly as a musician. I also lead a small group within the church. I am admittedly resistant to change, yet it seems for all the efforts to preserve the "small church" feel, the things we do have the opposite effect. Small groups (now being called life groups) are restrictive. People are placed in them based on their demographics. That seems fairly limiting because we all don't get along with everyone who fits our demographic. We are doing everything according to the seeker friendly large and growing church model, but I feel the programs have become more important than the people. I know I've gotten off my OP, but I felt I should address your question.

Obviously this system is marketed to larger churches and we are now a larger church. I appreciate all your responses. I had no idea that this type of system was as prevalent as it is.

 

[Mickey02]

I attend a church of 10,000 members.

We have had a check in system like the one you describe for several years. I also teach a Missionette class for 4th and 5th grade girls. They too have to be checked in. It offers extra precautions to protect children from being released to the wrong person plus helps the church know how to properly staff. We have huge screen in our auditorium when a child needs attention their number is put up on the screen so the parents are able to come care for them.

It may seem a little impersonal but it is a good system

 

[*Fantasia*]

We have over 10,000 members at our church. They don't have any tracking system, they don't track. No bar codes to wear.

How do I feel about wearing a bar code.. I don't know. I think that's tacky. Why do they need to know how many attended?

 

[famofsix]

We have over 10,000 members at our church. They don't have any tracking system, they don't track. No bar codes to wear.

How do I feel about wearing a bar code.. I don't know. I think that's tacky. Why do they need to know how many attended?

This is not tracking attendance; it's an identification system to match parents with the right child to protect children from being picked up by the wrong person.

I would rather have an impersonal system than a missing child.

My church is rather large...we have assigned numbers and tags and the volunteers will not release a child unless the numbers match. Also the number flashes in case there is an accident or if your child needs you. With a large church it is a safety precaution for the volunteers too because they can't be expected to remember every parent with such a large number of children (and every custodial circumstance).

 

[diznygirl]

Why can't the children go to church with their parents??? Or is that a whole 'nother thread?

 

[kaybracon]

How do I feel about wearing a bar code.. I don't know. I think that's tacky. Why do they need to know how many attended?

The purpose of the bar code is not to count attendees; it is to verify that the person picking up the child is supposed to be doing so. A couple of possible scenarios which this is in place to prevent:
1) Custody disputes - mother drops her child off, and then the estranged father comes and picks the child up while the mother is in the church service.
2) 'Uncle Bob', who lives down the street from little Susie, goes to the church and tells them that little Susie's parents called and asked him to pick her up for them. Without a tag, Susie might say "He's my neighbor; I can go with him. " With a tag system in place, the teacher won't let her go with him.