Everyone loves a party! It's the perfect opportunity for
connecting families at your church. It's also a great opportunity
to demonstrate that church can be fun for everyone...
Tracy Carpenter
Today's parents are different.
Use these blueprints to understand them--and help them pass on
their faith to their children.
Erin, a single mom, has three daughters, ...
Help your children's ministry kids lean the importance of
forgiveness while build a snowflake craft.
You'll need white yarn, scissors, glue, pie tins, wax paper, and
a Bi...
As
families hit the road this spring or summer on family vacations,
give them a fun way to discover God on the road. Provide a "Road
Trip God Sightings" page that includes ...
See Christine Yount Jones' videocast about Celebration Station:
Timothy Paul Jones
Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away.
On my way to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to...
If those couplets strike a chord in your memories ...
Consider how your family ministry events might be more effective
using this TIE Test, which simply asks, "How could this activity
Train, Involve, or Equip parents as primary...
First, let me start by thanking YOU.
Thank YOU, Children's Minister. Thank YOU, Children's Ministry
volunteer. Thank YOU, Person Who Cares about Kids, whatever your
role ...
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of togetherness, but too
often families are traveling on the Sunday after the holiday and
can't worship together.
So host an informa...
A fun Christmas idea for the whole family!
Ready! Help kids (and families) prepare their
hearts for Jesus' birth with this fun party after a night of
caroling in the ...
Connie Neal
Parents want to train their children spiritually! Barna Research
Group reports that close to nine out of 10 parents of children
under age 13 (85 percent) believe they have t...
Alan Nelson
In a church culture where recruiting
volunteers is often a mystery, one church has cracked the
case!
You might be skeptical if I tell you that Coastlands Church in
A...
Karl Bastian
I often ask children's ministers, "Do you
partner with parents?" Almost always their answer is, "I try." And
when I ask, "How do you partner with parents?" I hear a list of
...
Greg Baird
Aaron comes home from his second grade class to an empty home.
After letting himself in and finding the peanut butter and jelly
sandwich his mom left him, he settles onto th...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Create several take-home book bags for parents to check out.
Put a Bible-story board book and a toy that goes along with the
story in a gallon-size resealable plastic free...
Children's Ministry Magazine
As the March winds blow, host a family ministry kite-flying
event. Have families bring kites to a large field or park that's
free of trees and power lines. Families can take...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Due to fire codes, we can't have a "clothes closet" at our
church, but we found an excellent way to help people who need
children's clothes find those who have used clothes ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Our church went on a zoo outing to give our families an
opportunity to attend a church event together. Families enjoyed
spending time together and getting to know other fami...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Provide families with a list of children from your church
who'll be attending local middle schools.
Host an information night for parents and kids to meet your
youth pa...
Jessica Nelson
Should children worship with adults in church or in
their own children's church setting? Check out what 2 children's
ministers have to say on each side of the issue...
Of...
Tim Smith
Family Ministry Opportunities:
"This group has been so helpful. I shared some ideas with a
friend at work, and she was really encouraged. If it wasn't for the
parents' gr...
Brian Haynes
Excerpted from Shift by Brian Haynes
Chapter 2
God's Original Blueprint
There are places in the world that reverberate with antiquity.
Jerusalem is one such place....
Christine Yount Jones
Between Mom, Dad, and the kids, families may be
attending activities at your church seven days a week. If this is a
typical schedule for families at your church, you're stre...
Jennifer Hooks
In the din of confusion surrounding the question of effective
family ministry, Brian Haynes has quietly found the way. Take a
step on the path.
"When my 7-year-old decide...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Use this activity to help families celebrate their
journey with God...
For each family, you'll need a 6-foot piece of butcher paper,
markers, masking tape, and a Bible.
...
Children's Ministry Magazine
These downloadable conversation tents give you the ability to
add your own questions for your church families to grapple with.
Simply add questions into the conversation bub...
Use these ideas to spark a monthly Date Night experience
for the parents in your ministry while you provide crafts and a
movie night for kids...
Cook It -- Gi...
Children's Ministry Magazine
We rent out a local apple orchard for all our families. We begin
the evening with a hot dog roast, and we let the bonfire continue
through the evening. For activities, we ta...
Larry Shallenberger
You've done the research and understand the
unmatched power of families to cultivate a passionate love of Jesus
in children's hearts. You're days away from meeting with your...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Give families an evening alternative to celebrate the
Halloween season biblically...
Invite the members of each family to visit with villains such as
Herod, Goliath, Pila...
A wonderful Christmas family service opportunity.
Mitten Angels
Stuff: 11/2-inch foam balls, 12-inch squares of white
netting material, gold chenille wires, and assorted ...
Throughout history God has been known by many names. During the
holiday season, families can use the names of God to create
memorable ornaments to celebrate His love.
Fam...
Use this comprehensive list of family service ideas to help you
decide the best ways your family can serve together.
366
Ways to Serve By Janet Fox
Children's Ministry Magazine
10 inspired ideas to celebrate God, family, and fun this
summer
Summer evenings are unbeatable -- kids and families can't get
enough of being outside together, enjoying t...
Children's Ministry Magazine
The families in our church partnered with foster kids for a day
of fun at the zoo, allowing these children to connect with our
families and giving our parents and kids an op...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Last summer we offered two VBS events back-to-back. We hosted
regular VBS during the day and then a similar, family-centered
program in the evenings. These two separate even...
Children's Ministry Magazine
How one church is reaching children and families -- one
assignment at a time
Use this article as inspiration to model your own
test-time study hall or homework catch-up h...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Many families get away during summer weekends, so churches have
adapted by offering a weekday service option during those months.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, choose a mi...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Have you tracked families' attendance patterns
in your ministry? How often do average families attend in a month?
As I talk with ministry leaders across the country, many sa...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Although 57% of preteens look forward to spending free time with
family, only 35% said it's easy to talk to their parents about
everything in their life.
Source: The Barn...
Children's Ministry Magazine
On Blue Sunday, provide parents literature on child abuse
prevention and community resources such as hotlines, counselors,
and classes. Reach out to children in your communi...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Winter months aren't conducive to outdoor camping trips, so we
planned a camp-in for our families.
Our families enjoyed hot dogs and S'mores over an open fire in
our back...
Children's Ministry Magazine
For Mother's Day, our children honored their mothers with a
Saturday luncheon. Children from kindergarten up each chose their
mother, aunt, grandmother, or another special w...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Children especially
struggle when someone they love dies. So a memory box is a great
way to help them feel close to the person they've lost. Help your
child through grief b...
Linda Ranson Jacobs
Forget bleak statistics about
kids of divorce. Use this blueprint from a leading expert to build
a bridge to connect to these kids.
"Kids are resilient." I've heard this ...
I started praying about moving from the
corporate world to full-time ministry years ago on a trans-Atlantic
flight. My wife and I were returning from a mission trip to Russi...
Reader Submitted
On Father's Day, we had an Ugly Tie Contest. Judges chose the
ugliest tie, and we gave that dad a plaque with an inscription
about the contest.
Phyllis Kirkland
Hilliste...
Reader Submitted
Sponsor a lock-in they'll always remember. Schedule it on a
Friday night so dads or special father figures can arrive after
work with their children.
Connect children...
Heather Ward
No matter how small or large, young or old, in shape or out of
shape familes are, these games are for everyone. This Family
Olympics event is specially designed so everyone ...
Stephanie Martin
These days, trying to define "family ministry" is as challenging
as trying to define "family." Churches all seem to have slightly
different perspectives on this ministry are...
Mary-Southern California, Early
1960s
Most of my teachers didn't know what to do with me. According to
one report card, I "lacked attention and self control." One teacher...
Ty Bryant
How do we help materialistic
kids who are full of the things of this world…still hunger for the
things of God?
As a child of the '70s, I was privileged to grow up around ...
Sue Kahawaii
Host this event to support a
great cause and remind kids and families about the joy in
giving.
The heart's cry of this emerging generation is for the church to
offer opp...
Stephanie Martin
More than the current fad,
family ministry is sweeping through children's ministries
today.
These days, trying to define "family ministry" is as challenging as
trying to...
Lori Haynes Niles
"My grandma says divorce is a sin. Does that mean my
parents aren't Christians anymore?"
"Why doesn't my mommy want to be here with all of us
anymore?"
"I think my p...
Make the most out of kids' big
faith-marker moments.
As a children's minister, can you ever forget the adoring look
parents have as their newborn is dedicated to God? Or ...
Pat Verbal
On March 24 of 1998, Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson stole
away more than the lives of four girls and one teacher in
Jonesboro, Arkansas. They robbed their entire com...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You can have families participate in this activity at home or
during a family ministry event.
Start by giving kids time to discuss their favorite things with
their parent...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Round-Table Discussions -- Invite interested
parents to come to your church for quarterly round-table
discussions. Form parent groups with parents of various ages of
childr...
Wes Fleming
A large commercial jet flew low over an intersection where I
waited for a light. The person in the car next to me rolled down
his window and strained to watch the plane fly ...
From "Beyond the Birds and Bees" in the
November/December 2008 issue of Children's Ministry
magazine...
Books:
•
The Purity Code: God's Plan for Sex and Y...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A seed is planted. For months it's cared for -- water and
sunlight help the seed grow into something majestic. Then the winds
change, the days grow shorter, and the time arr...
Children's Ministry Magazine
It's that time of year when parents are eager to bring their
children to Sunday school. Build on that excitement by plugging
them in with these service ideas:
Class pho...
You already have the
secret ingredients to powerfully impact families!
With all the talk about children's ministers needing to add family
ministry to their repertoire, ma...
Children's Ministry Magazine
We wanted to keep our children's ministry on the minds of our
church families. So we had business cards printed with our
children's ministry theme "Back to the Basics," our ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Here's a great idea to help you create a Christmas
season to remember.
For our children's program, we had each family decorate a star
cluster. Each family wrote the paren...
Children's Ministry Magazine
It's a children's minister's fantasy: Every parent involved in
your ministry. You hear weekly, firsthand reports about kids'
strides in their faith. Parents have an active r...
Expert insight on how family,
society, and crisis stresses kids -- and their
faith.
When we consider kid culture today, we typically tick off evidence
of their 21st-cent...
Christine Yount Jones
Use this meeting plan to help parents learn to naturally pass on
their faith to their children.
1. Tell Me More -- (Before the meeting, write
this question where everyone...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Here are ideas to get you started reaching out to single
parents:
Ask single parents what their needs are (time away from the
kids, finances) and help meet those ne...
Lonni Collins Pratt
Three-year-old Joseph Wallace had finally found a haven in his
foster home in Chicago. But the authorities took Joseph from his
foster home and returned him to his mother --...
Heather Dawn
Every pew was filled waiting for the pastor to teach when I
noticed an elder nod to the mass of moms and dads swaying in rhythm
with their babies at the back of the chur...
Reader Submitted
This family-ministry event equips families to pray together, and
it helps make parents aware of their call to weave prayer into the
fabric of their family's everyday lif...
Invite children and families to experience this exciting
Halloween alternative as they explore the Old Testament.
Ignite kids' and families' love for learning and for ...
Christine Yount Jones
Family is in. Marketers know it. Employers know it. But does the
church know it?
After talking to children's ministers across the country, the
answer is a resounding yes....
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
Baby boomer parents are flocking back to the church. And the
children's ministry is one of the first things they check out when
they visit a new church.
Doug Murren write...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Dear
Children's Minister,
I love my church, but sometimes I feel like my church doesn't
love me.
God has used my church to give my three kids the security and
continu...
Gordon West
In many cultures around the world, children are officially
connected to their culture, ancestry, and belief system through a
variety of rituals or rites performed at signifi...
Tim Smith
From no family ministry to pro family ministry
The primary responsibility for Christian growth and
formation lies with the parents. This realization is the first step
in ...
Reader Submitted
GOT PRAYER?
This family-ministry event equips families to pray together, and
it helps make parents aware of their call to weave prayer into the
fabric of their family's e...
Sue Lennartson
Your recipe for spreading the good news to families
By Sue Lennartson
Picture it -- a lively Fam Jam concert for families! It's a
multigenerational gathering for 90 min...
Parents want to train their children spiritually! Barna Research
Group reports that close to nine out of 10 parents of children
under age 13 (85 percent) believe they have t...
Linda Kondracki Sibley
She's always been such a bright, happy child," the teacher said
to me. "Always listening intently and taking part in everything we
do. But lately, she's been withdrawn a...
Mike Sciarra, Carmen Kamrath
Imagine that you've become sick with some rare disease. No
doctor seems to understand your symptoms -- or their cause. You
spend months -- and even years -- going from docto...
Keith Johnson
Family devotions are notorious for giving migraines to parents
and causing children to groan. Formal family devotions at home can
range from breakfast Scripture readings...
Suzanne Perdew
Too often, parents don't know what happens at Sunday
school.
Almost every Sunday, Mrs. Anderson drops her daughter, Katie,
off at your class. Katie's an eager learner, bu...
A meaningful way to share the Easter story with families in your
community.
Look Who's Coming
Host: Circus Ringmaster
Materials: Party decorations such as balloons a...
Kids going to Bible camp... that's not so unusual. But it might
be when it's Jesus Camp.
According to Magnolia Pictures' recent press release: "Jesus
Camp highlights the ...
Jennifer Hooks
Children's Ministry Magazine recently sat down with
Catherine Hardwicke, director of The
Nativity Story, to discuss her new film, currently
ranked #4 at the box office. Ms....
Thom Schultz
Growing up on a farm, Joani learned early the meaning of faith.
Each year her dad, Bud, would begin the process: preparing the
soil, planting the seeds, cultivating the crop...
Reggie Joiner
Who should you spend all your time, money, programs, and
effort on -- kids or parents? Find out from one of the most
innovative children's ministries in America.
Here's a...
Kelly Zargo
Sometimes loving child care is the best children's
ministry we can offer families
Ask most children's ministers about how they feel when they're
asked to baby-sit the chi...
Jennifer Hooks
Beyond Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies -- here's a
step-by-step journey with Jesus for families.
Easter is a time of celebration of new life in Jesus! As
Christians, we...
Jennifer Hooks
The Futuristic generation is standing at your
church's doorstep. Are you ready for them?
Effective churches have struggled to successfully connect with
Boomers, GenXers,...
Treat the families in your church and community to
multisensory environments that feature Joseph, Ruth, and
Joshua.
JOSEPH: THE COMEBACK KID
Joseph is a great exampl...
Michelle Van Loon
One damp, cold Saturday afternoon in early March, an energetic
group of kids from church and a few of their friends and neighbors
showed up to attend our first Midwinter Fes...
When family life seems like a race with no finish line,
use this retreat to help families set their lives in
order.
WHY THIS RETREAT IS IMPORTANT
Soccer practice, yardwo...
Pack your next carnival with these outrageously fun
ideas.
BOOTHS
1. Treasure Box-Kids dig for prizes in a sand-filled aquarium.
(William Pesata)
2. Gospel Sing-Have a ...
Stephanie Martin
Publisher, speaker, and author Bill Carmichael
explains that you can't minister to other families if you don't
minister to your family first.
No matter how good our minis...
Diane Ladd
Use this ready-to-go pageant to relive the Christmas
story with your entire congregation.
During your morning worship service on the Sunday immediately
before Christm...
Brian Dykes
It's Sunday morning and you're optimistic. You have enough
material for every child on your class roster, and you're excited
about what you've planned.
When class beg...
Bobbie Bower
'Tis the season to be
jolly-and busy! Families have to cook a turkey for the Thanksgiving
potluck, shop, cook, clean for company, get their kids to choir
rehearsal, attend ...
Connie Holman
How to deal with parents who disagree with you.
Parents in Colorado Springs were outraged when one church baptized
their children without parental permission. Parents ...
Christine Yount Jones
Meeting the Needs of Today's Families
In this election year, "family values" is the hot issue. But no one
is quite sure what it means. That's because families aren't what
t...
"If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry
it two miles" (Matthew 5:41).
Israel was under Roman rule when Jesus spoke these words. He told
his follow...
Megan Lacefield
Unless you're a big Star Trek fan, chances are
you hear the phrase "next generation" mainly while shopping in your
favorite big-box electronics store or watching a smart-pho...
Timothy Paul Jones
If we're not careful, there are pitfalls to family
ministry that may threaten effective ministry to
children.
Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away.
On my way to where th...
Larry Shallenberger
Get the inside scoop on the top 3 family ministry
models-and discover which one is right for your
church.
You're convinced: It's time to get into the family ministry game...
Charles Arn
"Lost." Few words capture the imagination and attention more
than "lost." Countless novels, films, and TV dramas in modern
society are centered on the idea of being lost or ...
Work with parents to commemorate Memorial Day and teach kids about
this important day of remembrance. Invite families to spend an
afternoon at a local cemetery and clean...
