Do you have a Philosophy of Children’s Ministry?
Guess what? You do! Whether you have written it out or not, you have core principles that guide your thoughts, decisions, actions, re-actions, opinions and even what annoys you.
I would challenge you as you head into a new year, to define the core values that drive you and your ministry forward. It will help you understand yourself, explain your decisions and actions to others, and challenge others to re-think their own approach to ministry to children, particularly your volunteers. It will help your parents understand the reasoning behind why you do things the way you do.
HERE IS MINE:
Our Children’s Ministry:
- Is Dedicated to supplementing the family in their attempt to lay a spiritual foundation that, in God’s timing, will lead a child into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and then to provide for them a place where they can grow in their knowledge and love for God. It is not our job to replace the family, but to support and re-enforce the family.He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Psalm 78:5-6
- Is Kid-Focused. That means we are Child-Centered, not Adult-Centered. This means that our adult workers strive to understand a child’s perspective and make their teaching relevant to the world of a child. We have “fun,” but it is fun with a purpose!To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22
- We believe that Children are Important. They Matter to God. God loves every child and therefore we accept them and love them, just the way they are. Children who need special attention are lovingly welcomed.Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
- We strive to be Relational, not just Informational. While we creatively teach important spiritual truth to our children, we understand that building a relationship with the children is the most effective tool.As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; Luke 24:15
- We strive to Make the Message of Christianity Relevant to the Life of a Child. Children should never have to ask, “So what?” More than just telling Bible stories, we believe that every story in the Bible is there to help kids live daily for God.I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8
Yes, you are welcome to use this in full or in part as you develop your own. I only ask if you use it pretty much in it’s original form to credit Kidology.org so that others can benefit from the resources on that site.
If you develop your own, I’d love to see it!
Also available on Kidology.org:
- Why is a Philosophy of Ministry Important?
- Karl’s Philosophy of Ministry (Download of what is above)
- Philosophy of Ministry – The Foundation
- Philosophy of Ministry – The Builders
- Philosophy of Ministry – The Building
- How to Write a Philosophy of Ministry
