Introduction to Children’s Ministry

DM320/DM520

To assist candidates understand the major factors involved in ministry to children in church;
To help candidates consider a number of approaches to church-based children’s ministry;
To provide an opportunity for supervised practical work.

Section A: Children and Faith Development (40%)

Biblical perspectives on children: introduction to theology of childhood; implications for ministry.
Human and child development; ages and stages of growth; introduction to developmental theories; implications for programs and relationships.
Children and God; overview of moral and faith development; survey of a variety of perspectives such as Fowler, Westerhoff, Groom, Bridger, Buckland.
Children and the church; history of children in the church; recent trends.
Children and their culture; influences on children – school, friendships, family, media; introduction to multi-cultural/multi-faith issues.

Section B: Church-Based Children’s Ministry: An Introduction (40%)

An introduction and overview of children’s ministry; a definition; exploration of the experience of participants; aims, philosophy and strategy; introduction to leadership – motivation, self care, integrity, leading teams.
Developing aims, philosophy, strategies, evaluation, vision; principles for good organisation and planning; exploring a variety of models and sizes; choosing and adapting curriculum and materials.
Children as part of the worshipping community; children’s ministry as an integral part of the life of the church; all age worship; designing services that are all age friendly; learning together and separately; building an all age community; environment and facilities.
Nurturing faith and discipleship; encouraging parents, caregivers, and the church in nurture and discipleship of children, prayer for and with children; helping children read and understand the Bible; children and the Holy Spirit; training children for ministry; children and spiritual gifts.
Evangelism and outreach; organisation and planning; structures and programs; liaison with other churches; evangelism and the family; evangelism and schools; evangelism and the community; relational work; assisting children to faith.
Safety and care for staff, parents and children; developing a safety policy; premises; insurance; legal issues.

Section C: Ministry in Practice (20%)

Supervised Field Education: At least 20 hours work to be undertaken in one of the following areas: holiday and after-school programs; family ministry; camps; school religious education; church-based religious education; other work as approved by the course coordinator.

Workload: 1 semester, 4 credit points, 36 contact hours
Status: Elective
Prerequisites: Nil
Who: Beth Barnett
When: Semester 2