Do You Have a Next Generations Ministry?

When I first began writing about Children's Ministry I wrote on my own website. Then after about 10 years people began blogging, so I switched my content to a blog format and have been writing this blog for about eleven years now.

Back then there was a "raging" debate about whether we should be focused on Children's Ministry or Family Ministry - today I want to say, in light of Larry Fowler's book, The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children, in my opinion, it is essential for us to focus upon the Next Generations Ministry.

What is a Next Generations Ministry, you ask? Well, it is a ministry which focuses upon engaging, equipping, encouraging and empowering both parents and grandparents, so they are able to hand down a heritage of faith to the children they love. A Next Generations Ministry is NOT just a class or two you offer each year on parenting, nor is it a Sunday school class for parents or grandparents - although both of these things could be used to connect with parents and grandparents. A Next Generations Ministry is ministry which is focused on purpose to engage, equip, encourage and empower parents and grandparents on a regular basis, connect them with the Children's Ministry - and Youth Ministry as well - so they are able to hand down the faith on purpose.

Help Parents & Grandparents Share the Good News with a Paper Airplane, Rocket & Cross!

In just a few days we will celebrate the most amazing day in history; the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection of Jesus is our core message, because it made God's grace available to us.

So, this is the perfect time to equip the parents and grandparents in your ministry so they are able to share the Good News of Jesus with the children they love. If they have children they love who have not already put their trust in Jesus, this is the perfect time to tell them how they are able to do this - consider using this simple, and fun tool with them - just email a link to this post or to Grandmas with Heart - https://www.facebook.com/grandmasmakingadifference/ - where they will find the original post.

Facts About Grandparents & How They Impact Your Ministry

Facts are sometimes boring to many people, but here’s some interesting facts about grandparents in the USA which may open a few eyes, especially among church leaders, about the impact grandparents have . . . or could have on the next generations. Consider the following from  Grandparents.com

Grandparenting Ministry = Remember, See and Tell about God's Faithfulness!

When we talk about Grandparenting Ministry - ministry which encourages, engages and equips grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren - there are a few verses we refer to most often. One of them is Deuteronomy 4:9 . . . "You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well."

From this verse we see three important things God calls upon grandparents to do - and this is the core of Grandparenting Ministry for churches.

If We Build It They Will Come

I saw an interesting - rather amazing - photo on facebook  . . . 

(This is the turnoff from Banff to the Trans-Canada Highway. Many stretches of this highway run through wilderness areas and they found vehicle/animal collisions increased, so they built "animal crossings" - fences with one-way gates, overpasses and underpasses so animals would have a safe way to cross where their animal trails already were. This photo actually shows a bridge for the Canadian Pacific railway, but the elk found it provided a safe way for them to cross as well - as long as a train isn't headed for them!)

 This photo made me think . . . 

The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children

A few years ago a book came out which completely changed how I looked at Children's Ministry, so today I'm sharing this book with you again - it is written by Larry Fowler - The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children.

This book may be small, but it will ask you questions you will think about for years. It will challenge you to take a strong and close look at what you are doing, how you are doing it and what you need to do differently if you are serious about keeping children from growing up and away from their faith.

The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children is published by AWANA and they say it; "Reveals an alarming blind spot in Children's Ministry, explains how this blind spot contributes to the epidemic of disconnected youth, then presents real-world ways churches are combating this problem."

Do You Know How History, Community & Culture Impact Your Children's Ministry?

Too often we tend to think Children's Ministry is just comprised of churches and children, which, technically, it is; but our churches . . . and our children . . . are not identical.  Our communities are different.  Our people are different.  Our histories are different.  Our cultures are different.What works in one church, may or may not work in another.  And, while there are components which are essential for every Children’s Ministry to be effective, there is no “secret recipe” where if you are certain to include each ingredient, you will be guaranteed an effective Children’s Ministry.  

Do Churches Still Have "Mean Girls" Who "Rule" in Children's Ministry?

Yesterday I asked if Children's Ministry is sexist because, sadly, there are times when women are labeled as, "bossy" or "pushy" as they use the gifts God gave them, but a man who did the exact same things would be labeled as, "a strong leader" or as "someone who knows what he is talking about". Please know, I have had the joy to serve in several churches where I was truly valued and not treated in a sexist way, but sadly, there have been times when I experienced this in churches. Clearly not all churches are, "sexist", but there are some where women who serve are treated badly.

I'm not upset or trying to be negative about Children's Ministry, but if we do not identify and acknowledge things which need to be changed, they will not be changed. And, definitely any church which treats women in a sexist way, needs to make changes.

I said I'd share ways this "sexism" might show up, so today I'd like us to think about if we experience this poor behavior the most from an, "unexpected" source; other women. I think in most cases the "mean girl" mind-set from junior high and high school is something most women grow out of and come to see as behavior not to be embraced; but there are some who continue this behavior and who gossip well into their adult lives. So, what might this look like in a church? Consider the following questions -

Are Churches Sexist in their Children's Ministries?

Today and tomorrow I'm going to write about something which may be controversial; I sincerely hope you will comment as I would like to hear what you think and what your experience has been.

Children's Ministry is a place where women are sometimes discriminated against and treated badly. Yes, there are churches where they treat women in Children's Ministry very well; I have had the joy to serve in several such churches, but it is also a place where women are not treated well. Please allow me to give an example of what I'm talking about . . . 

You Are Busy, But . . .

I do not know a single person in Children's Ministry who is not busy. There is so much to do when you work and serve in the Children's Ministry. You have to pray, study God's Word, choose curriculum, plan your year with regular and special events, pay close attention to security and safety issues, more and more there is time spent counseling children and families - or referring them to people who are able to do this, training volunteers and the often-times seemingly unending recruiting of those volunteers. As I said, I do not know a single person in Children's Ministry who is not busy.

And, on top of all these things you often try to find ways to engage parents, train parents and equip them to hand down the faith to their children. 

2018 CM Conference North America - Register Today!

If you have not yet registered for the 2018 CM Conference North America - do so today!

EXTENDED: $119 Rate for the next 100 guests 2018 CMConference - North America When Monday, April 30, 2018 at 4:00 PM EDT -to- Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 9:00 PM EDT Add to Calendar   Where 2|42 Community Church 7526 Grand River Ave Brighton, MI 48114 Driving Directions Greetings! We are extending a special discount rate to the next 100 people who register. If you act now, you can register for only $119.  If you are planning on joining us... this is your very last opportunity to register before the registration price increases. This is also the lowest rate you'll find on a national conference for children's ministry and includes full access to everything on the schedule... three and a half days of training and over 101 training opportunities to serve your ministry! Get more information Register Now! I can't make it If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to contact me directly. Shoot me a text at the number below or email me.  I'm available to serve you and would be honored to hear from you.   Sincerely,   Michael Chanley CMConnect team@cmconnect.org 502-536-7780