Children’s Ministries
The Department of Children’s Ministries is organized to promote and coordinate ministry to the children of the church, as well as to involve children in service to others. Christ’s instruction to feed the lambs provides the impetus for the church to meet the needs of children for nurture, fellowship, worship, stewardship, and outreach.
Children’s active minds construct meaning from every experience. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years. This is the time to begin to educate them “to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men’s thought.”
When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the children to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in all ages, to officers of the church, to ministers, helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is drawing the children, and He bids us, Suffer them to come; as if He would say, They will come if you do not hinder them.
It is the responsibility of each individual in the church community to exert a positive influence on children. Providing children with the opportunity for participation, interaction, and leadership in a variety of religious education settings gives them a sense of inclusion as valued members of the church family and leads them to Jesus.
Involving children in service to others not only increases capabilities and assures children that they are a necessary part of the church family but, more importantly, involvement in service to others is a major part of their growth in grace. Creative efforts to involve children will help them establish a pattern of outreach to others that may well continue through life.
LINKS:
Guide Magazine
Guide’s mission is to show 10- to 14-year-old readers, through stories that illustrate Bible truth, how to walk with God now and forever. Each week the 32-page, full-color magazine features true stories that show how following Jesus makes a positive difference in kids’ lives. Puzzles and games challenge readers to think and learn in a fun way. A weekly Bible study helps young people understand how God works in our world.
Tonyia Williams
Children's Ministries Leader