How a Child Relates to Their Family Record
Explains the read-only link between a child's record and their Family record, and why it doesn't create a new Member.
A read-only link to Family
A child's record can be linked to an existing Family record, showing at a glance which household they belong to, this connection is read-only, it's there to give context, not to manage the family relationship itself.
It doesn't create a new Member
Linking a child to a Family doesn't create a new Member record or add the child into the family as a member in their own right, families are built from existing Member records, and a child's link to one is purely informational, useful for confirming who else in the church is part of the same household.
Related Articles
Registering a New Child
Walks through exactly what information Children's Ministry captures when you register a new child, including which fields are optional.
Linking a Guardian to a Child's Record
Covers how to attach a guardian who already has a Member record to a child, including recording the relationship between them.
Adding a Guardian Who Isn't Already a Member
Shows how to attach a guardian's name and phone number for someone who isn't in Sermfy yet, without creating a Member record.
Creating a Children's Ministry Class
Clarifies that a Children's Ministry class is just a Group with a special tag, created through the same Groups feature as any ministry.