Mark writes: In a nutshell, after we've
sung our first chorus and the notices have been
read, the children are invited to the front of the
Church to receive a short address, simple, with
illustrations and participation by the children. The
adults listen in. The children recite their Memory
Verse in front of the Fellowship, while the new verse, plus other activities
related to the message, are explained. They rejoin their parents for the
remainder of worship and then settle down on the floor during the main
ministry to complete their worksheet.
Our new model had its teething issues, but the positive benefits
over the past 4 years have been amazing. I list a few:
·
God's Word is confirmed and reinforced again and again!
·
People leading Kids' Ministry as a part of the whole service get to
hear the Main Message.
·
Parents hear what their kids are taught and are able to expand and
continue teaching them at home.
·
Ministry gifts within the Fellowship are nurtured, encouraged and
given their rightful place – even at a young age.
·
Children are integrated into the Church from the start with no issue
as to when they should move from Sunday School to the Church.
·
Families being together for the whole service, makes for teachable
moments with one's children, who pick up from the Main Ministry!
·
Saying their memory verses in front of the Church creates
confidence and leads naturally to Open Ministry.
·
Adults love it and often get more out of it than the kids do!
This method does take getting used to but, with the right
supervision and encouragement, children happily sit quietly for half an hour
without being entertained and we are reaping the benefits!
Mark Tyrer
18