WORKING PAPERS 1: The Sunday Morning Experience

Happy New Year!

For the last couple of months, I've been spending some time in thought and prayer, yellow legal pad and pen in hand, to put down some of my heart beliefs regarding children's ministry at our church. Many of the principles are not really new; after all, our folks have seen some of these things expressed in policy manuals, memos, and meetings. This is merely my attempt to systematically define where I'm at.

These things are not the final, authoritative word on children's ministry. Even after all this time, I am still first and foremost a student--learning, stumbling, making mistakes, trying and failing, and ever so often trying and succeeding. I get my "stuff" from the same places many of you get yours. Some things apply to our local ministry, but if you see something that "fits" and you can use it, feel free. These are "working papers" which could possibly change over time.

Today's feature is "The Sunday Morning Experience."
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ENVIRONMENT
Fun: ensuring the room and activities are "functionally cool" and fostering an atmosphere of "edutainment" (educational entertainment).
Friendly: striving to make each child feel welcome and loved, and each parent to feel confident about leaving his or her child with us.
Fearless: provifing a safe and secure atmosphere physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through regular maintenance, adequate supervision, and screening of volunteers

RELATIONSHIPS
Kids with one another
Kids with safe and caring adults
Kids with the Lord Jesus Christ

TEACHERS
Knowing
Procedures and programs (every volunteer should be able to answer basic questions about the Children's Ministries Department)
Lessons and learners (every teacher should be a dedicated student of the Scriptures as well as a sutdent of children and how they learn best)
Growing
In their faith each and every day
In their skills as a teacher
Showing
Connection to kids, the ultimate mission field

KIDS CELEBRATING
The Lord Jesus Christ
Our Salvation
The Word of God
Our Fellowship