The goal of the new style of children’s ministry was to enable families to build spiritual convictions not only at church, but at home as well. We wanted to provide something that not only happened on Sundays, but through out the entire week.
In order to make this successful, we saw the need to simplify. We chose to focus on one theme and one key memory scripture per month. We formatted the children’s worship to include: interactive songs, skits,various forms of technology, guest speakers and enthusiastic volunteers to keep the children’s attention. They also break into classrooms where they experience 5 different activities. Each activity builds on the theme for the month. The theme and the scripture are being reinforced in five different age appropriate ways each Sunday. The effect of this has been long lasting with our children remembering spiritual lessons and verses from the Bible.
Additionally, to extend spiritual principles to the home, we provide weekly challenges for the children. These are small, practical activities to do at home through the week that reinforce the concepts that they are learning in children’s worship. These activities are printed for distribution on Sundays, and each family can access their child’s weekly challenges online at home through a link at the church’s website. The activities often involve everyone in the family, as well as school and neighborhood relationships. If a child does their weekly challenges, they report the number completed to their classroom teacher who then keeps a tally for that student. At the end of a three month rotation, a rewards ceremony is held and everyone who has completed a weekly challenge receives a prize. For example, for the months of June, July and August if a child does 30 weekly challenges, they will have a picnic and get a chance to ride horses at a disciple’s farm. We have found this motivates the children and also helps the parents remain engaged in the worship. Hereis a video from Youtube.
Another way we have chosen to involve our parents is by having them worship with their children on Sundays. Throughout a month, different parents will sign up and worship with their children. They participate in the worship and classroom activities with their children. This allows the parents to know what their children are learning, it allows them to ask questions when they are not there, and it helps the parents to facilitate the weekly challenges at home.
The overall set up has reduced the number of adult volunteers needed without sacrificing the necessary number of adults needed in a classroom. Each classroom has a classroom manager who oversees one particular class. This provides consistency for the children. Then each ten minute activity is led by an adult and a teen. This pair share planning and teaching responsibility. When their activity is done, they rotate to the next class while the classroom manager stays. Then another adult and teen partnership arrives to do a different activity. Utilizing our teens in this way has been extremely productive and encouraging. They lead worship songs, skits and lessons which provides them with spiritual leadership training and a godly confidence.
posted by Jerry Maday