resources for effective children's ministry
One area our world in general and our churches as well, seem to be struggling in is to help encourage and support our families as they strive to build strong, spiritually successful families. As we stand on the verge of a new millennium, let's commit to help our families do just that. We need strong, happy families - it just takes some work and commitment, but is extremely well worth the work. The following resources and ideas are ones for families to utilize together to help them begin or continue to build strong, happy families who love God!
It is so easy to get busy with our lives, our jobs, with just the business of life and while our children absolutely need to hear that we love them by what we say and how we say it, they also need to feel and see that we love them by spending time with them. There are very few, if any parents who genuinely do not want to be good parents. There are, however; many parents who lack good, solid parenting skills. It has been said, to drive you have to take drivers ed., to teach you have to take teacher training, even to be a cashier you have to take training. But to be a parent, you just have to have a baby. Parenting skills do not necessarily come naturally, so one of the best things we can do to support our families in our churches and even reach out to parents in the community, is to provide parenting classes and resources. I would like to encourage churches to plan, promote and provide parenting classes to their parents in this coming year.
MINISTRY GOAL:
to train and equip parents in our church to raise up their children in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord" to reach into our community to help non-church parents learn and develop good parenting skills.
THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE CLASS BEGINS
- select a date for the parenting classes to begin - I recommend two classes a year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring
- if you won't be teaching the class yourself, find a teacher
- bathe the classes in prayer and find people who will pray with you
- decide on curriculum
- one excellent resource is the teaching kit that goes along with "The Power of a Parent's Words".
- If you are holding a class for new and expectant parents it could also be very helpful to arrange one session to provide CPR training
- if you do not have someone in your church who is able and qualified to teach this, check with your local Red Cross.
- I also recommend a class devoted to basics - how to change a diaper, feed, bathe, hold and talk to and care for a baby, how to handle a crying baby - stress NEVER shake a baby, and how to get a baby to sleep as well as how parents can take care of each other and themselves.
- Also have a time for your Nursery Coordinator to give a tour of the Nursery and explain procedures and policies.
- begin to promote within and without the church
- recruit experienced parents to serve as prayer partners
- have people begin to sign up for the class
TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE CLASS BEGINSONE MONTH BEFORE THE CLASS BEGINScontinue to promote to parents in and out of the church reserve the room for the class and any necessary supplies continue having parents register for class if child care is being provided, be sure to let parents know and recruit nursery care providers have parents sign up their children needing child care so you know how many care providers you will need be sure your nursery care providers have been screened and gone through your child protection class as parents register, team them upwith prayer partners - one set of parents to one set prayer partners continue recruiting experienced parents to serve as prayer partners
- responsibilities of prayer partners
- pray for the parents they are teamed with
- drop an encouraging note to them from time to time
prepare class weekly schedule be sure prayer partners receive a copy so they can keep the weekly topic in mind as they pray for their prayer partner parents continue to promote - consider reading the book, "I'll Always Be With You" in church (review to follow) continue to register parents continue to recruit prayer partners continue to team up parents and prayer partners be sure all needed supplies are gathered pray, pray, pray!
ONE WEEK BEFORE CLASS BEGINSfinalize class list arrange for refreshments
DAY OF CLASSset up room put up direction signs so parents not familiar with your church will be able to easily find the room
AFTER THE CLASS IS OVERthank the prayer partners follow up on parents and any decisions made during class invite non-church parents to become involved in your ministry begin to plan for the next parenting class begin to plan for a "funtime" parenting/family event
RESOURCE REVIEW
