Help Line

resources for effective children's ministry

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION PAGE
2. LYNDA'S CORNER
3. SEASONAL IDEAS
4. RESOURCE REVIEWS
5. BRIGHT IDEA!
6. HELP LINE
   • Problems With Small Class Size

7. TEAM-UP...PARENTS & YOU
8. AWARDS & CONTESTS
9. LINKS
10. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

1. How can we have effective ministry in classes of very few children with a large range of ages?

2. When there are so few children, a teacher may show up to a class with no children or only one if just one or two families stay home, how can we deal with this?

3. What can be done to attract young families to our church?

    When it comes to having effective children's ministry it doesn't really matter if you are a large or a small church, in that there are certain things that are foundational to effective ministry - no matter what your size. Granted, there are unique challenges that small churches face that the larger churches do not, but if you are able to accomplish some of the following it should help you to develop an effective ministry.

1. develop, and put in writing your mission statement. This will give you a standard to measure all you do by and lets everyone know that this area of your ministry is important enough for you to take the time to put in writing what you want to accomplish.

2. choose curriculum that will provide solid Bible teaching, hands- learning, and will allow you the flexibility to tailor it to your needs (in our next issue we will review curriculum).

3. vary your program from time to time. Our message never changes, but our methods can.

4. hold your VBS on Sundays in the summer

5. consider having your Sunday School at night

6. try some inter-generational events. For example, consider taking a month every quarter where the parents and children have their Sunday School together - VBS materials work very well for this and can be used throughout the year.

7. plan events that would allow you to reach into the community. Often people around us may not really be aware of all your church offers, so special events that bring the community into contact with you can result in church growth.

8. follow-up on visitors and absentees. If a teachers finds that there are no children or only one or two in their class, then encourage them to take that time to write cards to mail to those who are absent.

9. build enthusiasm by encouraging teachers to help their class plan special out-of-class get togethers that they can invite their non-church friends to.

10. offer parenting classes for the community. This can be a great way to expose new families to your church and ministry.

11. offer adult studies that are interesting and relevant so that the parents are more likely to attend faithfully as well.

    These are just a few ideas to help your ministry grow and be effective. If you have an idea that has helped in your ministry, please e-mail it to me and we will include it in future issues.

    Some books and videos that would provide additional information of help for you - no matter what your church size - would include the following:

• The Power of Vision, by George Barna - Published by Regal Books

• Evangelism & Church Growth, by Elmer Towns - Published by Regal Books

• Your Church can Grow, by C. Peter Wagner - Published by Regal Books

• The Leading Edge Church Leadership Series - Videos, by George Barna Published by Gospel Light

• The Sunday School Smart Pages, by Wes & Sheryl Haystead - Published by Gospel Light

Table of Contents

Christian Banner eXchange