Now available in paper, this resource provides church workers with information on teaching approaches, program administration, and childhood development related to teaching children up to age twelve. Topics cover age-group characteristics, discipline, learning styles, summer ministries, and more. After exploring the biblical and historical perspectives on why the church is called to minister to children, the authors provide suggestions for developing primary goals and objectives for children's programs. Entries are arranged alphabetically for easy reference and include detailed information on children's ministry resources. The book is a companion volume to The Christian Educator's Handbook on Teaching, The Christian Educator's Handbook on Adult Education, and other books in the series.
A step-by-step guide to building a strong children's ministry that is a vital part of the church. People know they are called to children's ministry when they get goose bumps and butterflies from something a kid says or an idea that they know will communicate the gospel to children. Building Children's Ministry provides the practical information to transform those feelings and that calling into a successful children's ministry that is integrated into the life of the congregation. The book is divided into topical chapters, including: Getting the support of the pastor and the congregation Statements of purpose Budgets and fundraising Recruiting and keeping volunteers Safety and security Discipline and appropriate policies Choosing and evaluating curriculum Publicity Building Children's Ministry is a practical guide through the challenging (but exciting) steps between recognizing the need for children's ministry and creating a program that ministers to children and their families.
What do you need to lead a special needs ministry? Leading a Special Needs Ministry is a practical how-to guide for the family ministry team working to welcome one or 100 children with special needs.
Got a volunteer crisis? Need help choosing curriculum? Wondering how to balance ministry, health and life? This handy handbook offers advice and how-to's on all this and more from seasoned ministry leaders, as well as relatable church life anecdotes. Chapters include: Chapter 1: Family & Intergenerational Ministry Chapter 2: Parents & Guardians Chapter 3: Children's Ministry Chapter 4: Preteen Ministry Chapter 5: Youth Ministry Chapter 6: Intergenerational Worship & Serving Chapter 7: Spiritual Milestones Chapter 8: Disability Ministry Chapter 9: Curriculum & Ministry Design Chapter 10: Volunteers Chapter 11: Marriage & Divorce Ministry Chapter 12: Crisis & Counseling Chapter 13: Navigating Human Resources and Organizational Charts in Ministry
No teacher wants to be a drill sergeant. No child wants to be in trouble all the time. . . . . Imagine being able to take all the energy that you spend on crowd control and pour it into teaching kids to know, love, and follow Jesus. You can. Teachers who are masters at classroom discipline aren't born that way--they're trained. These teachers have learned what makes kids tick, how to teach kids of all learning styles, and the importance of respecting their students. Excellent teachers know and understand their students' needs and then create a classroom environment where diverse needs can be met. # This book offers you the tools for teaching through your own example as well as by lesson. You'll learn to honor children as Jesus honored them, to understand and meet their needs, and to recognize and deal with differences in personalities and learning styles. # You'll find practical help for the nitty-gritty situations that come up in classrooms week in and week out. # You'll receive expert advice on important issues such as how to deal with children with Attention Deficit Disorder (A. D. D. ), # Find advice on how to work with parents to improve your relationships with students. # The final chapter offers training principles of positive discipline as you work together to develop a unified discipline plan for your church.
A guide to children's ministry that serves families with special needs Jesus set a high standard when He said "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." The call is not limited to children who will sit quietly at His feet and listen, who color between the lines, who raise their hands and wait to be called upon, and who work at grade level. Children's ministries are responsible to be ready to bring children with disabilities to Jesus' feet too. Every Child Welcome is the guide for leaders and volunteers to assist in purposeful planning and skill development for a ministry inclusive of children with unique needs. Experienced children's ministry leaders, and parents of special-needs children themselves, the authors are superbly equipped to offer a thoughtful, thorough approach to creating a positive environment for children--one where all children will be able to digest the important concepts being taught. For leaders and volunteers, Every Child Welcome will provide the knowledge and tools to * create a welcoming environment before kids arrive * help children learn more effectively by connecting new information to what they already know * reinforce the main idea of a lesson, building background knowledge and reviewing important concepts * supplement instruction with hands-on activities to increase attention and participation * reinforce and wrap up an activity effectively
Attract kids to church, the logic often goes, and you get parents in the pews. All that's left is to get the kids out of the way. Here children's ministers David Csinos and Ivy Beckwith draw on research in human development and spiritual formation to show how children become disciples and churches become centers of lifelong discipleship.
This handbook is part of a series designed to equip and empower church volunteers for effective ministry. If you're reading this, chances are you're a church volunteer. Thanks for your willingness to serve!
Sunday School That Works is a dynamic new resource designed specifically to help you strengthen and enrich your Sunday school ministry while maximizing what you’re already doing on Sundays.Overflowing with expert insights from more than 20 successful ministry leaders, this book guarantees practical solutions for every area of your Sunday school ministry. You’ll learn best tips, creative ideas, and powerful strategies from dynamic leaders including Christine Yount Jones, Dale Hudson, Holly Catterton Allen, Dan Webster, Gina McClain, Linda Ranson Jacobs, Pat Verbal, Amy Dolan, Ricardo Miller, Greg Baird, Patty Smith, Gordon and Becki West, Patrick Snow, and more. Sunday School That Works will equip you in your ministry with these key benefits... • Help for key areas of your Sunday school program including: • developing your Sunday leadership team • keeping kids safe and secure • building a learning philosophy for today's kids • growing your kids spiritually • targeting age-level and special needs ministry • reaching today's families • developing great public relations • meeting the needs of today's kids • and more! • Current insights on today's Sunday school! Experts actively working in the field offer you the most current insights and advice for what's happening in churches--and what's relevant to kids and families today. • Practical ideas that are proven to work! These fresh ideas really work--in actual Sunday school ministries. They've been tested and tweaked to guarantee success in today's churches! • Insights for every level of Sunday school! Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to Sunday school ministry, you'll refer to this resource regularly for the help you need! Learn how to maximize your Sunday school ministry with Sunday School That Works! From the makers of Children's Ministry That Works which has helped leaders create dynamic and effective ministry programs for over 20 years
Struggling to offer a children’s program that resonates with young families? Finding it difficult to recruit teachers and volunteers for your children’s program? Want a children’s ministry that is grounded in Christ’s foundational teachings and relevant to the experiences of children today? This must-have guide to rethinking your children’s ministry is informed and intelligent, with the lighthearted humor so helpful to working with children. Through storytelling, testimonials, and research-based creativity, you’ll be inspired and energized to use your church’s gifts, your children’s interests, and your families’ needs to develop a children’s ministry that fits your church and the people in it. An appendix includes sample lesson plans, suggested Bible stories and book, and sermons. Colette Potts offers a successful model for a congregation to turn around their children’s ministry program to engage the whole congregation in worship, learning, and service while partnering with parents for bridging the formation gap between Sunday morning at church and the rest of the week at home and beyond.
