Resources — Ministry Leaders

In May 2022, The Barna Group, in partnership with Awana, released a report that churches and church leaders should give significant attention to. “Children’s Ministry in a New Reality”* seeks to look at the church of today in order to form the future church. Awana CEO Matt Markins asks a question that we should all be concerned with. It is not a question of what the future church is, but how we can be a part of actively forming it today: “If today’s kids are to be the church members and church leaders of 2050, how should we change our...

  The Bible, first placed in printed form some five hundred years ago, paved the way for bringing the Word of God directly to every individual who has acquired the ability to read and has Scripture available in their language. Yet, millions in the world remain illiterate. The same is true as we work with children who can’t yet read. We must communicate the Word of God to them verbally. It must be shared in a format where everyone can understand and be drawn to God. The Words of God truly are the essence of all of life! What God...

“Can I help you?” I looked up to see nine-year-old Josh smiling at me, eager to assist. His mom had brought him to my Sunday afternoon seminar on “Partnering with Children.” Throughout the seminar Josh was always the first to volunteer for activities, he enthusiastically participated in discussions, and at the end of the seminar he asked, “How do I sign up to help you do what you do?” This young man was ready to be used by God. Earlier, during the morning worship service, the pastor had taught about evangelism. All the adults were given a special wristband with...

Since the very beginning of time, the Story of God and His story of man has been told verbally. It has been handed down from generation to generation via the personal telling-and-receiving of the spoken word. Storytelling is an art of communication that remains as viable today as it was in the Garden. Research verifies that the greatest learning takes place where we can be involved in the story experience itself. The storytelling format can include both passive listening/watching, and active participation in the telling of the story. The listeners can have opportunity for hands-on portions of the telling. This...

In a media driven age when children, youth and adults have become mostly passive participants in life, spending hours upon hours in front of screens and texting, we can miss the value of participating IN the experience of life itself. Where we used to connect with others face to face, connecting via media has removed communication nuances such as facial expression and body language that are part of the communication experience. When we don’t “see” those we are connecting with, our communication can be misinterpreted, and can lead to false or misleading understanding. Let’s pause and delve into a process...