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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/16/2008 10:47:12 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 17 |
| | Hi, I am new to Children's Ministry. I have been a Youth Pastor for over 8 years and am now the youth and Children's Pastor at a church in North Eastern Florida. We do not have a big children's ministry. We average about 3 in nursery, 10 in the 3 to 5 year olds, 8 in 1st and 2nd and 6 in 3 and 4th grade. My wife is starting a Mops program in the fall and we plan to do a huge new Children's ministry Kick off in the fall as well. Here are a few of our issues we need help resolving and some idea's for. Limited space. Limited Volunteers. we are a seasonal church. We are busiest from September to May then we go down to one service in the summer months. We have one teacher who is dedicaited but she's using the old Flannel boards that she hand makes herself. My Pastor wants as he says a Childrne's ministry that is like Disney World?! I know what he means but we don't have that type of operation right now. oh, we also only have Children's Ministry on Sunday mornings for first service at 9:30. There is only child care for the second service Does anyone have ANY idea's what to do. We do not have a midweek service. I'm drowning here and I really need some help and direction and suggestions. Please help a guy out here!! Thanks
I can do ALL things thru Christ who gives me Strength! |
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| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/27/2008 8:46:41 PM
Posts: 232, Visits: 373 |
| Well...you have your work cut out for you, but you have come to the RIGHT place! This forum is just bursting w/ energy and great ideas.
I was in a similar situation a few yrs ago...minus the Disney World concept! We were/are a small church w/ a small budget, limited volunteers and NO kids. But, we prayed and God sent them...and sent them...and sent them. What an awesome answer to our prayers, but now the need for some real programs was facing us head on. My advice to you is start SLOW. s your resources...money, of course, but more importantly, MAN power. I would not try to start all of your programs at once...concentrate on 1 or 2, and as they grow roots, so will your ability to tap volunteers, ask for fundraising, etc. MY suggestions would be your Sunday School program and VBS to start. Sunday School impacts them every week and VBS is a great outreach to your community.
Do not be afraid to try new things after you feel secure about the first couple and don't be afraid to have something new not be a huge success your first time out. We did our first VBS (LavaLava Island) 5 yrs ago w/ 12-15 kids per night...last summer, we averaged 60 per night, but that happened over time.
Above all, KEEP PRAYING! God will be w/ you and BLESS your every endeavor that has Him as the purpose! Remember...bringing even one child to Christ is what matters!
Please feel free to email me if you have anything specific to ask...I hope this helps!
BLESSINGS as you do the Lord's work! Kimberly
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| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:28:34 PM
Posts: 227, Visits: 572 |
| | I agree! Prayer is the key. Do all you can to make every service the best it can possibly be. With kids it needs to be exciting, fast pace and fun!! They have so much in the world that competes with the church for their attention that you almost have to be like "disney" to make the kids want to come back. My goal is for every Sunday to be the best hour of every kids week!! I might recommend the book "making your Children's Ministry the Best Hour of Every Kid's Week" by Sue Miller . We do puppets, skits, games, crafts etc... We usually have at least one contest going for the quarter for attendance, offering, visitors etc... This quarter (ended today) the kids had a goal for offering and if they met it then my husband is going to be a human hot dog next week. The kids get to squirt mustard/ketchup on him. Next quarter he is going to be "tarred and feathered". we are going to use honey or syrup and feathers. The kids are really excitted about that one!! We have done pie in the face, drinking from a baby bottle, egged, flour on us etc... What ever we can think of to make it fun for the kids. All I can say about need for worker is welcome to children's ministry. I don't know many childrens pastors who don't have problems getting good reliable helpers in childrens ministry. PRAY PRAY PRAY!! God bless you in your work for the Lord!! You never know what a child you reach may one day grow to be in the Lord!!
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2008 7:48:02 PM
Posts: 6, Visits: 13 |
| | Wow-lots of great ideas. About recruiting new teachers, see if you can put a flyer in the church bulletin and/or make a short presentation during your busiest service focusing on the benifits of serving as a leader. Include helping children to grow in their knowledge/ relationship with Christ and something specific to what you will be doing event/theme wise. Allow people to volunteer for one Sunday a month as an assistant leader as well. Many times, after church members have helped out they are willing to volunteer to do more full-time work. Some people just don't know what the work will be like. This will also give you the opportunity to see who would be especially good with a certain age group. Most importantly, keep praying. God knows exactly how it will turn out. One of my career leaders said, "Work like everything depends on you, pray because everything depends on God." go where He leads and you can't go wrong.  |
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