Articles

Managing Your Energy for Ministry

By Ruth G. Howard Children’s ministers are the most caring, nurturing, loving group of people on earth. They might also be the most exhausted. And, there’s a reason why. If you minister to children, you are called to take care of God’s youngest sheep. That…

Communicating with Parents and Family in Early Childhood Ministry

When parents and teachers share similar goals and use similar approaches, teaching God’s Word is strengthened. A clearly defined and consistent plan for communicating with parents will develop a strong link between church and home. Long-term positive results in child guidance and spiritual nurture are…

Special Needs: Understand the Diagnosis, Understand the Individual

by Amy Fenton Lee This article is part of a series of articles on Special Needs by Amy Fenton Lee. See the first article, Special Needs: Your Best Resource May be Outside the Church and the second article, Special Needs: The Volunteers’ Blessings. Many churches lack formal programs…

Creating Successful Seasonal Events

This guest post was written by Sharon Stratmoen. You’re already doing amazing things to reach kids. Have you ever thought about super-sizing your children’s ministry? I’m not talking about just adding numbers. I’m talking about super-sizing it with sensational seasonal events for major impact! Read…

How To Publicize Your Events

by Pamela Burton Imagine this: you’ve been working many long hours trying to plan your big “Back to School” event. You’ve got the volunteers, bought the food and drinks and planned great activities. You’re ready to go… right? Not so fast. You missed one very…

Leaving a Ministry Legacy

This post was written by guest writer Brian Haynes. I have three daughters that I love deeply. My wife and I often talk about what life will be like for them in another thirty years. I have a dream for them that I take to…

Enlisting Professional Input to Transform Your Church’s Special Needs Ministry

This post was written by guest writer Amy Fenton Lee. One of the biggest obstacles to starting or growing a special needs program is the intimidation that comes with a lack of understanding or knowledge of the disability world. Writing on this topic has involved…

Using Shared Space In Your Church

This is a guest post by Pastor Dave Harff. Shared Space! These two words together can sound like an oxymoron when it comes to life in a church or ministry. However, we need to work together with others who share the same building or space,…

Prayer: Opening the Door

This guest post was written by Karyn Henley. People of most religions pray. For some, prayer takes the form of meditation. Others memorize prescribed prayers and chant them at required times. Many purchase written prayers for specific occasions. All believe prayer “works,” if only to…