Foundation 1

Throughout Scripture, children are seen as blessings from God to our families and communities. In Old Testament times, children were an active part of the worshipping community, which continued in the early church and hopefully continues in our church life today. Excellence in Children’s Ministry involves listening to the voices of children and their whānau, providing safe places for children to grow in faith, and generous provision of resources and training.

To achieve this goal the Children’s Ministry will have:
  • A robust Safety Management System—refer to the Baptist Union of NZ Child Protection Policy.
  • Opportunities for children to connect with God, with their leaders, with one another & the wider church community.
  • A co-operative environment which is welcoming of children with different learning styles and abilities.
  • A strong volunteer training and nurturing value.
  • Scripture taught within the meta-narrative of God’s redemptive plan and our response to it (the ‘God’s Big Story’ approach).
  • A balanced approach to teaching knowledge of God and faith alongside nurturing the development of a personal relationship with God.
  • Opportunities for children to serve in mission (both local and global) and respond with compassion.
  • Peak experiences for both ministry and missional purposes—these may be camps, social events, holiday programmes etc

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

  • Are the ‘tribes’, or groups where people have belonging (e.g. mainly music, playgroup, children’s ministry) overlapping so that relationships are developing? This is especially important if you want community families to make connections with church families.
  • Inconsistent church attendance and the impact on spiritual nurture; e.g. split families, sport on Sundays.
  • Overlaps between children’s and family ministry; e.g. pastoral care.
Scriptural basis:
Matthew 18:1-14, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, Psalm 139:13-18, Psalm 8:2

Interested in exploring this topic further? Download our Foundations of Ministry and Mission with Children booklet.

SUGGESTED READING

  • Starting Out in Children’s Ministry – Alison Mitchell
  • Holy Work with Children – Tanya Marie Eustace Campen
  • Children’s Spirituality – Kevin Lawson and Scottie May
  • Children’s Ministry in the Way of Jesus – Ivy Beckwith and David Csinos
  • Changing Lives: The essential guide to ministry with children and families – Mark Griffiths
  • Bridging Theory and Practice in Children’s Spirituality – Mimi Larson, Robert Keeley editors
  • Children Matter – Scottie May et al
  • Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Future of the Church – Valerie Bell
  • Formational Children’s Ministry – Ivy Beckwith
  • Children’s Spirituality – Rebecca Nye
  • Shaped by God – Robert Keeley, editor
  • “To Such as These”: The Child in Baptist Thought – Andrew Goodliff

WEBSITES

OTHER RESOURCES

  • Contact the Regional CFM Team for information on regional coaching, cluster groups and training in your area.
  • Carey Baptist College offers courses in both Children’s Ministry and Family Ministry. You can check the courses and qualifications they offer at: carey.ac.nz.

“Children are nurtured most effectively in communities where they feel a sense of belonging, where they are able to participate in its life and ministry and where adult members model a vital faith.”

Dr Scottie May

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