childrenministrynetwork

Proverbs 22:6 They are All Our Children, All of the Time.

Apr 24

Get Your Hard Hat!

by Stacy B.

It is a story that many of us have shared with our children time and time again. The parable of the Two Builders found in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49

While Jesus was preaching and teaching there were many people who said they would follow Jesus after hearing him preach. They called themselves his disciples but they did not practice what Jesus preached, like loving others and changing their attitude. Jesus then told them it means nothing to say “‘Lord, Lord’ when you do nothing to follow my commandments or do the will of God”. So Jesus decided to tell them a story of how two men built their homes. It is called the parable of the two builders. Here is his parable:

“All those who listen to my words and do something about them are like a wise man who builds his house on a rock. The man laid a strong foundation by digging deep into the earth. Then he worked carefully and slowly making sure the building was strong and secure on the rock. And then the rains and floods came and the wind blew hard and beat against the house. But the house did not fall because it was built on a strong foundation.

But the person who hears my words and does nothing with them is like a stupid or foolish man who built his house on the sand. This man did not build a strong deep foundation and built his house very quickly. His tall house was built fast and he moved in feeling safe. Soon the rains and floods came and the wind blew beating against the house. The tall house without a strong foundation just couldn’t stand up to the flooding and winds and it cracked and the whole house collapsed.”

The crowds were surprised at Jesus’ story. Jesus warned them that if the people did not build their life on a deep foundation and follow his teachings then they too would find that their house had fallen down.

 

We are not really children’s leaders, we are construction workers. We are usually the first hands and feet of Christ that children witness and we help to begin to build their foundation of faith.  It is not through our glittery crafts, stories and even our snacks that we dig deep to lay the footers of faith, but it is through the relationship we build with each individual child. A smile, saying hello by name and sometimes a hug from you is the first step to building each child’s house on the rock.

Jesus said “Let the little Children come to me and do not hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to people like these.” Matthew 19:14.  So bring the children to Him, better yet go into the community and find them those are the children that need Him. Allow no child to be left behind.

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Apr 21

Joining Hands Magazine dedicated to Christian Education

by Stacy B.

The Spring Issue of East Ohio Joining Hands Magazine highlights creative children & youth ministries & innovative cross-generational studies as well as testimonies of how Sunday school as a child impacts our life as adults.

Spring East Ohio Conference Joining Hands Magazine

What is your story?

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Mar 30

Christian Education Director versus Children’s Ministry Director

by Stacy B.

The title of Children’s Ministry Director and Christian Education Director are often interchanged with in the church.  I had a conversation with a colleague recently where we discussed this matter in detail.  I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for a blog piece and conversation among Children’s leaders.  So I began my research, but was amazed and shocked to not have easily gained access to a vast amount of research and articles comparing and contrasting the two job positions.  So I decided to jump in with both feet to begin the conversation myself.

 

I begin with the defined roles of each title and I think that will help to clarify the difference in these titles. As defined by the Ministry Tools Resource Center (minitool.com), Christian Education Ministry involves the administration and coordination of programs or strategies to facilitate the spiritual growth or discipleship of believers into Christ-likeness. A Christian Education Director directs and organizes these efforts.  One thing to consider with the title of Christian Education Director is that it is not limited to children, but oversees the Christian education for the entire church including training for all education leaders. Of course, each church can define this role so that it is in balance with their specific congregation.   Churches may have a Christian Education Director and then further divide the Christian Education ministry into adult education, youth education and children’s education.  Education is often thought of as Sunday morning classes, for many referred to as Sunday school.  With the growth and redefinition of churches this may no longer be the case.  Christian education can include and not be limited to including all church and small group studies.  How Christian education is defined and what it includes depends on what each specific church believes falls under their umbrella of  “spiritual growth or discipleship of believers into Christ-likeness”. Somewhere over the past 15 years, I have seen a shift to the belief that Christian Education equals Children’s Ministry. Though they are integral parts of one another in ministry, they are not the same ministry.

Children’s Ministry is a much broader ministry encompassing all ministries involving children. A Children’s Ministry Director is clearly explained through its title. This role is the director and organizer of all things children’s ministry and though it most certainly includes Christian Education and the spiritual growth of believers into Christ-likeness, it also goes beyond that essential faith formation building block to ensure that there are ministries and programs for children that allow their spiritual self to participate and experience other areas of ministry such as worship, fellowship, and evangelism.

While many churches intermix the titles of these two roles, they are two roles of clear distinction in both purpose and function. Churches choose one role over the other, often it comes from history and the title that has been in place for years.  As a pastor, children’s leader or a member of a church council ask yourself which of these positions will best help your church to achieve it’s mission.  For each church the answer will be different, and that is okay.

 

I want to know your thoughts on this topic.  Please share in the comment section below. 

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Mar 16

NOT TO BE MISSED

by Stacy B.

We, at the Children Ministry Network, are still continuing to make connections between those who are called to share the love of Christ with the smallest of his children. Whether your pay stub reads as part-time hours or you receive no pay at all, children’s ministry is a full time position of the heart and soul.  The importance of connecting with another person in Children’s Ministry is a piece of the puzzle that is often missed. We want to help you connect the piece of your ministry together. Please prayerfully consider how the Children’s Ministry Network can best assist you in your ministry and let us know by leaving us a comment or making a topic request. Do you know another leader that could benefit from the connecting with other children’s ministry leaders?  Please share this online network with them.

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I don’t generally blog about curriculum or sales.  In fact, this company is posted on our favorite curriculum websites page,  but this sale is not too be missed. I just had to move it to the fore front of the website for this week.  Many of us are stretching our ministry dollars when it comes to purchasing resources for our ministries. In the continued effort to share our best resources with one another, when this sale came to me, I had to pass it on to all of you. I have purchased a children’s ministry bundle from only144.com before and was very pleased.  This is the first time I have seen a Youth Ministry / Preteen / Children’s Ministry BUNDLE!  It is a bundle of $2,087 worth of products for only $97  plus free shipping!  They call it a 144 hour sale because… well… it is only good for 144 hours.  The sale runs from March 16th through March 22nd.

http://www.only144.com/bundle

This deal includes the following resources:

At the end of the sale we will draw 100 names for additional prizes:

Boring Details:

  • Is this legit? Ummmm…yes, or else I wouldn’t have spent 700 hours working on this.
  • How did you put this together? Lots of Red Bull, Oreos, and late night prayers
  • What do I actually get? You get all the resources neatly organized on a special data-DVD set.
  • How much data is it? A ton of gigabytes!
  • What else is included? Surprise bonus materials (shhhhhh…keep it a secret)
  • How long does it take to get? Yeah, yeah…we know you want it ASAP. About a week.
  • Can I get a refund? No…a gazillion hours and dollars have gone into making this deal even possible.
  • Why should I buy this? Because Dave Ramsey would be extremely proud of you.
  • Do I have to use Paypal? Yes, but you don’t need a Paypal account. Use any credit card.
  • How do I win a prize? Either be one of the first 100 to order or be one of the lucky 100 people we draw.
  • Is 144 a weird spiritual reference? No, it stands for the deals only lasting 144 hours.
  • Why are you doing this? We’re bored. Actually, we want to bless the socks off of people serving in ministry. Rick Warren said the top two needs of all the pastors he talked to across the country were resources and friends. So we are all about doing both. Come hang out at our ministry loft if you’re in Louisville, and be sure to join our ONLY144 March Madness bracket on ESPN. We’ll send the winner a big box of junk.
  • Can I get this deal after time runs out? No! This is a big bundle deal. Once it’s over, it’s over forever.
  • Who are you? We’re Nevan Hooker and Jenny Robinson (plus a bunch of other random people). We’ll do anything for a pizza. Just have it delivered to 414 Baxter Ave. Suite 210, Louisville, KY 40204 anytime Monday-Friday from 11-1.

TOTAL VALUE: $2,087+

Is this a deal your Children, Tween and Youth Ministries can afford to miss?

To Find out more or to purchase.

http://www.only144.com/bundle


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Feb 28

Emergency Response Tips for Children’s Ministry

by Stacy B.

Disasters can leave children in a variety of emotional states. A child’s response to disaster may include feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Whether a child has experienced trauma firsthand, has watched the event on television, or has overheard it addressed by adults, it is important to be informed and ready to help if reactions occur.

Here are a few tips adapted from Emergency Response Handbook for Children’s Ministry  to help parents in our church and community. This is a downloadable e-book.

  • Share important information. Children will wonder what happened and why. The more children know the less scared and confused they will be. Answer questions honestly and openly. Remember to share age-appropriate details. If you don’t know an answer, it’s OK to say so.
  • Pray. Praying with children will show not only that you care, but that God cares, too. Invite children to pray silently or share their concerns aloud. Give children the opportunity to lead the prayers as well.
  • Let the children see your feelings. Children often don’t know what to do and how to respond. They look to the adults in their lives to give them clues. Be honest with the children about your feelings. Keep in mind that it is healthy to show emotions and be careful to shield children from hysterics.
  • Give information about the future. Children will probably be fearful that such an event can happen again. Talk to the children about the methods in place to protect them should a similar event happen. Highlight specific plans that show how the community has responded.
  • Keep listening. Giving children a chance to express their feelings will help them process what happened. For some children, it may take more time to openly discuss their feelings. Other children may want to address the issue immediately. Be prepared to listen carefully to children at different times and in multiple conversations.
  • Allow children to help. Give children the opportunity to help others heal from a disaster. Provide children with practical ways to help others recover through hands-on mission projects, prayer, care cards, etc.

Thank you to Franklin First United Methodist Church for sharing this resource.

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We have many church families and communities that have been touched by recent events,
please share your best resources for helping and guiding Children and Families through Times of Crisis.

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Feb 27

by Stacy B.

As many of us sit in front of our televisions or computers this morning, we listen to the tragedy that has occurred at one of our local schools.  Let us pray for one another as a community and as a family of God.

This tragic event is far reaching, beyond that of even the border of a small community.  It is likely that each of us will personally be touched in some way by today’s events. Know that with God’s help, we are here not only in prayer and spirit, but as loving arms.  Please let us know how we, your family, can help your families, your community and your leaders (including yourself).

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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Feb 24

TRAVELING WITHOUT A MAP

by Stacy B.

Have you every taken a long trip?  It is exciting to set off on a new adventure.  I love to pull out the map, grab my computer and spend days and weeks planning the journey to our destination.  I research different stops along the way, nothing that will really hamper our arrival time to our main destination, but little stops that help to make the trip more enjoyable and help the traveling time pass by faster. Along the way, I pull out the map and show my children where we started, where we are and where we are heading. When we have our map close by, we are more relaxed knowing that if we take a wrong turn it won’t take much to correct ourselves and be heading in the right direction once again.

Have you ever taken a long trip with out a map? They often begin with confidence and laughter, but after a few hours things change. The car echoes with “Are we there yet?” and “When is the next rest area?”.  One closed road or wrong turn and the radio gets turned off and there are silent stares out the windows for the next 75 miles.

Children’s Ministry is your mini van loaded with kids; crafts, books and juice boxes ready go.  As the director, you need to choose your destination.  Seems simple enough…God.  You and your volunteers are leading these children to God…. again simple. But do you have your map?  Yes, our Bible is our map of course, but the map I am referring to is your road map to travel with your children and arrive safely at your destination.  The road map is different for every church and often different for each director or children’s ministry council. A road map is important to have in the forefront of any children’s ministry, as it will help you get from home to The Destination – God.  The road map in grown up terms is referred to as a mission statement.

A Children’s Ministry mission statement is not the same as your church’s mission statement,  but it can and should reflect the mission statement of your church.  It does not need to be complicated or broken down into steps, but instead a simple understanding of your mission for all the children who enter your church. An example maybe “Our Mission is to guide each child to discover Christ’s LOVE personally so that they grow, and they will not turn from it.”

The starting point – THE CHURCH. The destination – GOD.  A road map, or mission statement, is the path connecting the two together.  At this point don’t focus on what programs you have or don’t have to offer children.  Programs and events are the stops along your journey to your destination.  To complete the analogy: If home is Ohio and the destination is Seattle, Washington, what benefit is it to make a stop in Finland.

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If you would like more information or steps on how to create a mission statement for you children’s ministry, contact Stacy Becker at Stacy@Mayfieldchurch.org.

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Feb 12

Setting A Foundation

by Stacy B.

I am often asked to those entering into a leadership position in Children’s Ministry, where do I begin?  This is a difficult question to answer.  Every church is different. Everyone is at a different place in the race when they receive the baton to carry forward.  I often suggest that a new Children’s Ministry Leader meet with the church’s Children’s Ministry Council.I receive a questioned looked back in response.

So allow me this opportunity to clarify. Most often Christian Education Teams are not the same thing.  A Christian Education Team or Council though very needed and beneficial, in my experience, has a primary focus of Christian Education, which we can all agree is imperative to our christian faith. It is a very streamlined focus on the entire education of the church. It has not been created for nor does it have the purpose of focusing solely on children.  Though Christian education is the foundation for children’s faith, there are other faith skills, disciplines and  experiences that church leaders choose to share and provide for children with in their church and their community.  A Children’s Ministry Council helps to vision and develop and be an advocate for all children. Our Lord placed sincere value on children and the example of faith they provide for us.  As children’s ministry leaders, we strive to introduce children to Jesus and walk with them as they begin their Christian Faith.

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“People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”

(Mark 10:13-16, NRSV)

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 I no longer am surprised when I hear that the church doesn’t have a Children’s Ministry Council.  So my suggestion for new Children’s Ministry Leaders – create one.  Here are some steps to get you started.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COUNCIL

This is an example of a Children’s Ministry Council for a larger church.  Each congregation should tailor it’s structure to fit their church’s needs and mission.  Smaller churches may not have positions such as Director of Children & Family Ministries or a Weekday Ministry Director, but these position are not needed.  The council is created and designed in a team structure.

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Children’s ministries shall insure a nurturing Christian education and fellowship opportunities for children infants through 6th grade, in our church family. In order to provide this nurturing environment, a children’s ministry council is organized under the leadership of a lay person serving in Children’s ministry. The Director of Children’s Ministry acts as a staff resource and support.

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THE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL

 

The Children’s Council is made up of the following leadership positions, but is not limited to:

 

Director of Children & Family Ministries

Weekday Ministry (Preschool) Director

Sunday Morning Ministry Children’s Leader/ Sunday School Superintendent

Other Children’s Ministry (VBS director, monthly ministry or weekly ministry)

1-2 parent representatives with a child/ren 0-3 years old

1-2 parent representatives with a child/ren 3-5 years old

1-2 parent representatives with a child/ren kindergarten-3rd grade

1-2 parent representatives with a child/ren 4th-6th grade

 

*A good council size is about 8-12 people.

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THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL

The Children’s Ministry Council:

-Meets quarterly for 1 ½ -2 hours per meeting

-Sets the vision and mission for the ministry

-Sets policy as it applies to Children’s Ministry

-Serves as advocates for the needs of children in the church and community

-Assist in the recruiting of key leadership positions.

-Introduces new programs and has a voice in deciding when to take away or tweak an existing program.

-Plans and executes the programs for the ministry.  This does not mean the Council members do it all, but they provide direction coordination and policy.

-Oversees and implements the Strategic Plan.

-See that adequate records are maintained to evaluate and explain the work for the council.

 

*The council is not to plan specific events. They can brainstorm and accept proposed events and help recruit leadership for events, but the planning of events is to happen in a different group.  Children’s Ministry Council Members can choose to participate, lead and volunteer for these events, but planning is not done during the Children’s Ministry Council Meetings.

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Thank You to Debra Gray from Highland Park U.M.C. for her contributions on this topic.

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If you have question regarding a Children’s Ministry Council or would like to request some help in creating a

Children’s Ministry Council for your church, contact Stacy Becker at Stacy@mayfieldchurch.org.

 

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Feb 1

ALL OF OUR CHILDREN

by Stacy B.

What is Children’s Ministry?  I have never found a clear definition of Children’s Ministry.  I think that is because it is different for every church.  There is no cookie cutter Children’s Ministry.  What is deemed successful in rural small church is not a good fit for the urban mid size church.  What is considered a fun engaging ministry in a small church of 200 is not seen as such in a large church of 500.  Each community and church has different blessings, therefore each church needs to define specifically what children’s ministry is to them.  The one thing every church can agree on is this: Children are a gift from God and we as a church, as a family and as an individual are told in Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

These children in their homes, in our church and in our community are All of Our Children, All of the Time.  It is up to each individual church to let this fact be known to the children and the families through our words and our actions.

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