Training

As the journey to launch a 1-and-2-year old class within our church continues, we have fine-tuned the classroom schedule. We ask the teachers and helpers to arrive 30 minutes before the service starts. This not only allows time to review that day’s teaching, but also to pray over the room and the children before the first child arrives. Since our church services last between 75 and 90 minutes, our classroom schedule looks like this: 20 minutes Free play 5 minutes Prayer / snacks 20 minutes Bible / lesson / singing / mirror 30 minutes Guided play 15 minutes Clean up...

Games are a key part of Children’s Ministry. I believe no kids service is complete without a well-planned intentional game. However, no game should just be a time-filler. Some leaders have cut games because they don’t want to waste precious teaching time with a silly game. They are half right! I agree, no time should be wasted. But games are NOT a waste of time! That is, if the game serves a purpose! But a purpose-driven game is a key to a lesson that the kids will remember and that will impact their hearts and minds. WHY SHOULD WE HAVE...

It is not uncommon for children’s ministry leaders to heavily emphasize other ministry program components and avoid basic doctrine as dry and uninteresting. However, children need to be instructed in basic doctrine. Doctrine is what we believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, heaven, Satan, angels, and Christ’s second coming. This is basic doctrine. Purposeful teaching of doctrine can be accomplished not only through direct teaching, but can be incorporated into music, games, and other activities. Keep in mind that every denomination or church may have specific doctrine distinctives that they will also want to have taught to...

You may be taking on a whole new step in kid’s ministry, at a new position. Or perhaps you are tasked with relaunching your church’s kid’s ministry after a time of stagnation or closure. Starting from scratch can be daunting. Do these 5 things during the first year of your launch/relaunch: 1. Get acquainted. Learn the culture. What does this group of people hold sacred? Your leadership success in your new position will be based on the quality of your relationships, not on positional power or titles. What is working well? What seems to be broken? If you are from...

I still remember my teacher explaining to my third-grade classroom what to do in case of a fire. “Stop, drop, and roll!” she said, and then demonstrated it before having us do the same. Watching my teacher roll around on the floor is a memory I’ll have forever. But Mrs. McDonnell knew that if we remembered that statement, it could save our lives in a dangerous situation. “Stop, Drop, and Roll” also works when a “fire” breaks out in the classroom. I’m not talking about a literal fire — I hope that never happens to you! Instead, I’m talking about...