This Is the Church


Book Description

Here is the church, here is the steeple . . . This update to the classic children's rhyme is an introduction to church for a new era, a whirlwind tour through all the wonderful things church can be and do and mean. From megachurches to little chapels to underground meetings, from welcoming to helping to feeding the hungry, church can be and do a lot of things. But ultimately that old rhyme said it best: the church is the people! With gently rhyming text by Sarah Raymond Cunningham and the vibrant and diverse illustrations of Ariel Landy, This Is the Church is an ideal gift for baptisms, confirmations, or any occasion in which children are welcomed into the life of the body of Christ.




Celebrating God's World in Children's Church


Book Description

A book filled with active, hands-on programs designed for ages three to seven. Each program features a simple Christian message; a Bible verse; a story; a prayer; time to sharing; time for singing; a snack; and a game, craft, or additional activity. The programs are structured to last from thirty-five to forty minutes. An additional activity is included in each program for those who want to extend children 's church to a full hour. Supplies and set-up are kept to a minimum and the book 's easy-to-use format makes it just right for today 's busy teacher.




Around the Year in Children's Church


Book Description

Filled with fifty-two active, hands-on programs!




Postmodern Children's Ministry


Book Description

Presents a new paradigm for children's ministry in the emerging church of the 21st century and explores current ways churches are putting that vision into practice.




The Godbearing Life


Book Description

"In The Godbearing Life, the authors offer a lively spiritual primer and practical guide for those who pastor young people. Dean, Foster, and DeWald rechart a course for youth ministry through the classical spiritual disciplines of the church"--




Young Children and Worship


Book Description

The authors have devised an exciting way to introduce three- to - seven year olds to the wonder of worship. Activities are developed around the order of worship commonly used in Reformed churches: assemble in God's name; proclaim, give thanks to and go in God's name.




Building Children's Ministry


Book Description

A step-by-step guide to building a strong children's ministry that is a vital part of the church. People know they are called to children's ministry when they get goose bumps and butterflies from something a kid says or an idea that they know will communicate the gospel to children. Building Children's Ministry provides the practical information to transform those feelings and that calling into a successful children's ministry that is integrated into the life of the congregation. The book is divided into topical chapters, including: Getting the support of the pastor and the congregation Statements of purpose Budgets and fundraising Recruiting and keeping volunteers Safety and security Discipline and appropriate policies Choosing and evaluating curriculum Publicity Building Children's Ministry is a practical guide through the challenging (but exciting) steps between recognizing the need for children's ministry and creating a program that ministers to children and their families.




All-in-one Sunday School


Book Description

The perfect programming resource for churches to teach meaningful Bible lessons to kids of all ages in one weekly class ​All-in-One is a best-selling Sunday school lesson series that children love--and you will, too Each volume offers 13 fun Bible lessons that help kids grow closer to Jesus. All-in-One Sunday school lessons are packed with original and creative ideas specially designed for children's ministries with mixed-age classes for ages 4 through 12. Teachers and volunteers love that these Sunday school lessons offer easy-prep and lasting impact. All-in-One Sunday School Volume 1 contains lessons that are seasonally tied to Fall. Each Sunday school lesson comes complete with: Active-learning experiences Catch kids' interest and teaches them lessons they'll remember Interactive Bible stories Helps even the youngest kids grasp the real meaning of Scripture Life applications Encourages children to use what they've learned Take-home handouts Make it easy for children to share what they've learned with their family And more Tips to help you better understand kids BONUS: You'll also discover how to help kids of multiple ages work together as a team...learn what to expect from different age groups...and be able to give young children the extra attention they crave while helping older children feel special as they help younger children learn. The All-in-One Sunday School Series offers four volumes, one for each season of the year beginning with fall: All-in-One Sunday School Volume 1: Fall (9780764449444) All-in-One Sunday School Volume 2: Winter (9780764449451) All-in-One Sunday School Volume 3: Spring (9780764449468) All-in-One Sunday School Volume 4: Summer (9780764449475)




Love First


Book Description

Struggling to offer a children’s program that resonates with young families? Finding it difficult to recruit teachers and volunteers for your children’s program? Want a children’s ministry that is grounded in Christ’s foundational teachings and relevant to the experiences of children today? This must-have guide to rethinking your children’s ministry is informed and intelligent, with the lighthearted humor so helpful to working with children. Through storytelling, testimonials, and research-based creativity, you’ll be inspired and energized to use your church’s gifts, your children’s interests, and your families’ needs to develop a children’s ministry that fits your church and the people in it. An appendix includes sample lesson plans, suggested Bible stories and book, and sermons. Colette Potts offers a successful model for a congregation to turn around their children’s ministry program to engage the whole congregation in worship, learning, and service while partnering with parents for bridging the formation gap between Sunday morning at church and the rest of the week at home and beyond.




Children's Ministry on Purpose


Book Description

Many children’s ministries are a flurry of activity, run by dedicated volunteers and staff who put in long hours and work hard for the good of the children and parents they serve. Yet despite good intentions, many children’s ministries today are not effective. They lack purpose and intentionality. A twenty-five year veteran of children’s ministry in the local church, pastor Steve Adams has ministered to families in multiple churches, from tiny church plants to his present position at Saddleback Church. In this book, Steve applies the revolutionary insights of the Purpose Driven Church to children’s ministry and leads readers on a journey of discovery, showing them how to develop an intentional ministry process that moves children toward spiritual health while building a healthy ministry environment for those who work with kids. You will learn how to ask and answer five simple but powerful questions: Why are we on this journey? Where are you and where are you going? Who are we trying to reach? How will we move our children towards spiritual health? What are the essential elements necessary for the journey? There is no single key to a successful children’s ministry, nor is there only one way that works for everyone. But there is a proven process you can follow and Steve shows how children’s ministries all over the world are reaching their God-given potential by discovering their biblical purpose, avoiding the traps of frustration and burnout.