Articles

Elevating Easter: Making it Easter-rific!

by Tina Houser This year I noticed that Christmas decorations were in the hobby stores by mid-July. People no longer wait until Thanksgiving to put up their tree or adorn their homes with twinkling lights. And the church begins its observance of Advent four weeks…

Give Them Jesus

by Donna Lucas The following article is provided by our INCM/CPC Partner Gospel Light. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” We adults have heard Jesus’ words, memorized them, taught them-but I…

MISSIONAL HEARTS: Give Kids a Heart for Missions

by Tracy Carpenter Embrace the reality that kids are not too young to change the world. Around the world, kids are making headlines every day. Some of these headlines are for outlandish activities, but many are for amazing acts of compassion and concern. All around…

Tweens, Teens and Transitions for the Student with Disabilities

by Jackie Mills Fernald Meet my friend Jimmy. Jimmy is sixteen years old and has Autism. Jimmy paces at times, is socially awkward, becomes fixated with things and is incredibly inflexible when schedules or routines are changed; but Jimmy is on fire for the Lord….

Teaching Kids Generosity

by Lisa Mitchell Hodo “Paying it forward” has become a common theme in the United States today. From Disney’s volunteer program to the movies, TV shows and even cartoons, we are being challenged to make a difference in the lives of others. In a congregational…

Family Ministry-Building a Firm Foundation

by Diana Jones “Family ministry” seems to be the new buzzword for what the church once called, simply, children’s ministry. What is the difference? A big portion of a children’s minister’s job is to make known to the leadership of a church that children have…

Keys to an Effective Hospital Visit

by Jesse Joyner As children’s pastors, one way we can minister to kids is through hospital visits. Being at the hospital is usually a very frightening experience for both a child and the child’s family. Showing up in person to offer prayer and some listening…

Networking is Serious Business

by Chris O’Malley Networking is such a business term. So how can something so businesslike make a difference in the local church? I have been in the networking “business” for more than fifteen years; long before social networking was vogue. Network was just becoming a…

The First Year of Ministry

by Charlotte Harris I can’t say it was more than I expected. I knew going into this that this “project” was going to consume my life for at least a year. I had worked in ministry before doing special events, then just the 5th and…