What’s been happening with children’s ministry in Canada during COVID-19? To answer this question, Scripture Union created a survey to take the pulse of children’s ministry in the second quarter of 2021 and released the findings in the Canadian Children’s Ministry Report (CCMR) earlier this month. Technically and empirically, it was a comprehensive survey. The […]
Is COVID-19 shifting children’s ministry? The origin of the phrase “Every cloud has a silver lining” seems to be John Milton’s poem “Comus.” It means we can find something positive in even the worst events or situations. So is COVID-19 shifting children’s ministry in positive ways? I believe it is. Learning and innovating. To begin, […]
Children’s ministry has faced significant challenges during COVID-19. Even though there’ve been ministry successes and joys in these unusual times, setbacks and sorrows have predominated. How are we feeling? We’re languishing (in the abyss between depression and flourishing). It’s time to say, “Lord we need You!” While we should always pray, the hour for prayer […]
What does the Bible say about parenting? “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6. The above verse may be one of the best-known verses concerning parenting. Remarkably, it’s just one of more than 1,900 references in the Bible that […]
What’s the purpose of the family? Sociologists generally view the purpose of the family as procreation and socialization. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Robin S. Smith, says the socializing purpose of the family in today’s society “is to provide a safe and nurturing space in which its members can know that feeling of ‘home’… the […]
The Great Priority is to teach our children about God’s fame, and power. We must not hide Jesus from our children. We must tell them about Him so the next generation, and all the generations to come, will know and love Him (Psalm 78:1-8). But how do we do that? How can we equip adults […]
Helping children connect with Jesus and His Story takes more than programs, a good curriculum, special events, or keeping children engaged in worthwhile activities. If children are going to develop strong links with Jesus, they need hearts inclined to Him, a thirst to know Him, and a desire to live for Him. Pastor and author […]
I should have walked out or cried out, but I stayed where I was and stewed with frustration. The cause of my agitation was the content of a plenary message at a children’s ministry conference. The thesis was that children, in and of themselves, are the raison d’être for children’s ministry. It was gruelling. Jesus […]
Who does God call on to tell the children about Jesus? All of us! This may come as a surprise, but God expects all Christians to be involved in children’s ministry. If we’re part of the family of God, then all of us must connect children with Jesus and His Story. None of us are […]
When I started doing child evangelism meetings, I was mainly concerned with program design, event themes, how to dramatize stories, how to capture children’s attention, suitable songs, object lessons, making it fun, prizes and competitions, crafts and games, and getting children saved. A theology of children’s ministry wasn’t even a consideration. That was until I […]
