Bethany Baptist Church loves children! But we acknowledge that some adult discipleship ministries like small groups can sometimes be more complex for parents with young children. At times it can be important for husbands and wives to spend quality time together apart from their children for the sake of their own spiritual communion and growth.
At Bethany, our families are free to choose discipleship options that best fit their own needs and stage of life. For example, some of our small groups plan to accommodate the presence of children at their regular small group meetings. However other groups seek to provide regular meetings without the presence of young children.
Because we desire to remove any possible obstacle to the spiritual growth of young couples in our church, we are offering childcare financial assistance for families who desire to participate in a Small Group. This help will supplement some of the childcare costs incurred as a result of participating in one of Bethany’s small groups.
How does it work?
- Parents are always responsible to schedule, contract, and pay their babysitters directly. Bethany does not refer babysitters to families. Each family is responsible to find and pay their own sitter.
- The amount paid to the baby-sitter is entirely and fully up to the parents. Bethany’s assistance is after-the-fact, intended to help offset some (but likely not all) of the childcare costs associated with the parents’ participation in our small group ministries.
- At their own convenience, parents retroactively submit one or several childcare financial assistance requests online after each small group event(s).
- Assistance is offered at a rate of up to $20 per event per family to help offset some of the child-care expenses incurred. Any family who attends an approved small group is encouraged to submit a assistance request for childcare expenses incurred for children under the age of 13.
- All assistance requests will be processed by the church office and mailed to the family once per month.
Submit a Request
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bethany’s vision for children’s involvement in small groups?
Bethany’s small group ministry is an extension of our adult discipleship ministry, which is focused on the spiritual growth of every participant through the application of God’s Word in their life. While every small group leader is given great flexibility on how to involve members’ children in the small group meetings, we recognize that at times the goal of our small group ministry is best achieved without frequent distractions from young children. All small groups should host family functions from time to time, but we fully understand if a small group desires for their regular meeting times to remain focused on the spiritual exercises of prayer and biblical fellowship together in the context of authentic community.
This seems like a lot of money to spend on childcare; is it really necessary?
We not only believe that more families will participate in Bethany’s small group ministry with this assistance, but also that more spiritual fruit will be the result of Bethany’s small group ministry meetings as young parents take opportunities to focus on their own spiritual growth without distraction. While it is a significant amount of money, it is a great investment in the spiritual growth and discipleship of our young families for the glory of God. And of course, parents are not obligated to request childcare assistance. Requesting this help is completely voluntary, and is offered to all who actively participate in one of Bethany’s approved small groups.
Is Bethany responsible for finding or providing babysitters?
No. Parents are entirely responsible for finding, scheduling, contracting, and paying their own baby-sitters directly. The amount paid to the baby-sitter is entirely and fully up to the parents. Bethany’s childcare financial assistance is after-the-fact, intended to help offset some (but likely not all) of the childcare costs incurred in the parents’ participation in our small group ministries.
What ministries would qualify for childcare reimbursement?
At this time childcare financial assistance is only offered for families attending approved small groups on behalf of Bethany Baptist Church.
Are there any restrictions or qualifications to this program?
Any family who attends an approved small group under the leadership of Bethany Baptist Church is encouraged to submit a request for assistance from childcare expenses incurred for children under the age of 13. Policy exceptions for older children with special needs must be approved by the Pastor of Christian Education.
Are there 1099s filing implications or other reporting requirements for Bethany?
No. The childcare financial assistance is an extension of Bethany’s benevolence ministry which seeks to help families with financial needs they incur through their participation in approved discipleship ministries. Thus, there are no 1099 requirements as these disbursements are classified as benevolence by financial and tax auditors.
Does the location of the babysitter matter?
No. Most parents will probably desire the benefits of hiring a babysitter in the child’s own home. Some small groups may choose to co-op a babysitter, and share a common location together themselves. But the location of the babysitting is not relevant to whether or not the expenses are appropriate for childcare financial assistance.
How do families submit a request for approved childcare reimbursement?
A form on Bethany’s website will allow families to retroactively submit one or several assistance requests to the church office at their own convenience. Checks will typically be processed and mailed on a monthly basis.
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