Articles

Using Teens as Special Needs Buddies

by Amy Fenton Lee Joel Wallace, Director of Briarwood Presbyterian Church’s (Birmingham, AL) “Special Connections” Special Needs Ministry recently sat down with me to share how his church has created a tremendously successful buddy program. “Two years ago the parents of our participating children with…

Teachable Moments Make Bible Principles “MINE” for Preschoolers

by Karen Apple Definition: A teachable moment is when an abstract concept meets a real life situation. “What did you learn today at church?” Mom asks Jacob who’s safely tucked in his car seat. Mom can expect one of two answers, either “Nothing,” or “Well,…

Recruit a Harvest of Children’s Ministry Leaders

by Bob D’Ambrosio Every fall we take our boys to a local farm to enjoy the harvest of pumpkins, corn, and apples! The bounty is evidence of the planting and hard work of the farmers during the past season. Recruiting the right leaders is vital…

Solutions for Small Churches

by Dienna Goscha Walking into the children’s area of a mega church where I was attending a conference, I found a large castle located on the kid’s stage. I learned that the castle cost $25,000 and was designed by an architect with a myriad of…

Is “Big Church” thinking “Small Church” Relevant?

by Kurt Goble The country’s largest churches dominate the culture of Children’s Ministry. But is what they have to share applicable to most churches? They host conferences, publish curricula, and offer websites. Their children’s pastors speak professionally, write articles and books, and create resources. Their…

From Pain to Healing: Course Correction Discipline

by Michelle Anthony The following story is provided by our INCM/CPC Partner David C. Cook. Disciplining children is probably one of the most time and energy-intensive aspects of a parent’s daily life. Yet, how we discipline our children, and how that discipline reflects who God is, is supremely important. The…

Eight Keys to How Kids Learn Best!

by Gloria S. Lee In my developmental psychology class during my junior year in college, I had “a light bulb above my head” moment or an A-ha moment as some call it! Here is the Revelation: I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner! No wonder college lectures…

4 Keys to Maximizing Your Nursery Ministry

by Sheryl Haystead The following story is provided by our INCM/CPC Partner Gospel Light. Have you ever wondered why there are so many toys for babies and toddlers that involve keys? There are plastic keys, rubber chewable keys, keys attached to buttons that make startling noises…

Does Your Curriculum Clearly Communicate Christ?

by Chad Miller I find myself inundated with conflicting messages on how to “do” ministry. Do you? There seem to be a myriad of voices calling for a strategic shift away from a curriculum-based instruction model into a more “experiential” model of teaching. Concurrently, there…