DM220 - Introduction to Church-based Children's Ministry

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • develop ministeriesUnit Discipline

Exclusions

DM202

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. Children and faith development
  2. Perspectives on church-based children’s ministry

B. Be able to

  1. Outline the basic factors involved in ministry to children in church
  2. Describe approaches to church-based children’s ministry
  3. Under supervision, participate in church-based children’s ministry

C. Be in a position to

  1. Use perspectives from ‘Introduction to Church-based children’s Ministry’ for personal understanding and in ministry contexts

Content

Section A: Children and Faith Development (40%)

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

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Safety and care for staff and parents; developing a safety policy; premises; insurance; legal issues.

Section C: Ministry in Practice (20%)

  1. 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.

Set Readings

Allen, H. C., Nurturing Children's Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices (Eugene, Or: Cascade Books, 2008).

Beckwith, I., Formational Children's Ministry: Shepherding Children Using Story, Ritual, and Relationship Emersion (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2010).

Beckwith, I., Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Century (El Cajon, CA: Youth Specialties, 2004).

Bridger, F., Children Finding Faith: Exploring a Child’s Response to God (London: Scripture Union, 2000).

Cliff, P., The Endless Playground: Celebrating Australian Childhood. (Canberra: National Library of Australia, 2000).

Fosarelli, P. D., ASAP: Ages, Stages, and Phases: From Infancy to Adolescence: Integrating Physical, Social, Moral, Emotional, Intellectual, and Spiritual Development (Liguori, Missouri: Liguori, 2006).

Keeley, R. J., Helping Our Children Grow in Faith: How the Church Can Nurture the Spiritual Development of Kids (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2008).

May, S., Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2005).

Mercer, J., Welcoming Children: A Practical Theology of Childhood (St. Louis, Mo: Chalice Press, 2005).

Roehlkepartain, E. C. and P. E. King (eds), The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005).

Shier-Jones, A. (ed.), Children of God: Towards a Theology of Childhood (Peterborough: Epworth, 2007).

Yaconelli, M., Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006).