cultivating a cutting-edge children's church
DESCRIPTION
Pre-conference workshop by Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode entitled, Cultivating a Cutting-Edge Children's Church offered live at the 2008 National Children's Ministries Leadership Conference. For more details regarding this workshop and for links to additional resource materials and the slides referenced during the sessions, visit www.cmuo.com/workshops/kidschurchTRANSCRIPT
Cultivating a Cultivating a Cutting-Edge Cutting-Edge Children’s Children’s ChurchChurchSession led by:Dick Gruber & Jason Rhode
cmuo.com/workshops/kidschurch
What is Cutting Edge?What is Cutting Edge?
•Relational
•Age-level appropriate
•Inclusive
•Spiritual
•Exciting
Read article at dickgruber.com/blog
Session OutlineSession Outline
1) Bible Basis
2) Brotherhood
3) Building Better Believers
4) Body Ministry
5) Break
6) Babysitting
7) Balance
8) Blessings
9) Basics
Bible BasisBible Basis
• Judges 2:10
• Psalms 8:2
• Joshua 8:35
BrotherhoodBrotherhood
•Meet with God & meet with each other• Everybody active in the Body• Newcomers welcome• Unity in the Body• Every saint a partici-paint
Building Better BelieversBuilding Better Believers
• Preparing children for “adult” worship
• Preparing children to be active members of the Body
• Preparing workers for leadership• Preparing the congregation for
young dynamos• Preparing children for meaningful
transition
The cutting-edge children’s church should be…
Ideas for TransitionIdeas for Transition
• Youth band
• YP preaches
• Graduation Sunday
• Ministry training
• Utilize method and form used by youth and adults
• Pray for graduates
• Encourage pre-graduation visits
Body MinistryBody Ministry
•Prayer
•Administration
•Service
•Teaching
Let’s Take a Break!Let’s Take a Break!
We’ll continue in a few minutes…
Babysitting?Babysitting?
• Country Club Christians•Out of sight, out of mind• Never visit
What causes this belief?
Babysitting?Babysitting?
•Meet the Saint!• Invite parents• Be there
How can we avoid this kind of belief?
BalanceBalance
• Worship• Giving• Preaching• Prayer
WorshipWorship
• Slow music as they enter•Open with rules, prayer, theme• Fast choruses first (unity)• Then slow it down (PB & J)• Listen to God (testify)• You are God’s leader
GivingGiving
• Talents
• Treasure
• Time
Teach the 3 T’s
PreachingPreaching
• Christ-centered• Let kids help•Overcome temptation• Curriculum?• Keepers (Bible Story,
Scripture)
Preparation BasicsPreparation Basics
• Topic Planner• Service Skeleton• Service Outline• Sermon Planner
Go with the FLOWGo with the FLOW
• Foundational truth• Lessons throughout•Opportunities for
application and response
•Wrap-up and take it home
Using TechnologyUsing Technology
• Don’t over-do it!• Reinforce, don’t
distract• Have a “Plan B”
• Why?• Just because
you can, doesn’t mean you should
How to Preach a How to Preach a Children’s SermonChildren’s Sermon
• State your theme• Scripture support• Someone to help you• Say what you mean• Some it up• Seek the Savior
PrayerPrayer
• Variety is importance• Answers (yes, no, wait, maybe)
• Listen to God• Unified response• Expect miracles
Final CommentsFinal Comments
• Pray!• Get organized• Plan ahead• Use your “think
time”• Think it through• What’s hot? What’s
not?
• Build a team• Engage the kids• Involve the kids• Talk to them, not
down at them• Keep your eyes &
ears open• Themes & series
help build momentum
BlessingsBlessings
You can have a cutting-edge service!You can have a cutting-edge service!
Q&AQ&A
• What final questions do you have?
Let’s Pray!Let’s Pray!
More ResourcesMore Resources
• cmuo.com
• childrensministryarchive.com
• childrensministrytalk.com
• childrensministryinsights.com
• dickgruber.com
cmuo.com/workshops/kidschurch