I am not against principles or truths or topic based curriculum. However I do see inherent dangers in these types of approaches: Bible stories are used improperly I believe in the Bible. I believe it is the Word of God. It contains not only the truth of God, but a vast narrative about the world […]
I believe that elementary aged students should be taught Bible stories. I think they should be immersed in Bible stories. They should hear them, see them, act them out, engage with them, review them, memorize them, be able to retell them. For six whole grades (six years), a children’s ministry should, on the formal level, […]
I’m thinking through curriculum evaluation and selection right now, particularly what kids on the formal level need to be taught (i.e. story, principles, topics, theology, themes, etc.). At church, due to the very nature of the environment, I would call it formal. While a home environment is more informal. Church brings forth systems, programs, structures, […]
It seems that what happens in the woods is often very mysterious!
Our pastoral staff went and checked out a couple of church buildings for sale in a nearby community. In a side office of one of the churches, this sign was hanging on the wall behind the door:
How to Make “Jonah in a Fish” Craft: a balloon paper plate cut and colored as fins a teddy graham (prior to inflating the balloon) tape to secure the paper a sharpie to make the balloon fish come to life
The church must assume the role as a training ground for parents to be the soul doctors for their children … in order to bring spiritual healing. Parents must learn how to really be present with their children and to create space for contemplation and reflection in their homes. Nurturing Children’s Spirituality, Holly Allen via […]
Every day, countless young people leave the church and, worse, abandon their faith for something “more” in North America. What has been our response? More programs? Better curriculum? Stricter accountability to godly behavior? I wanted to understand how we had been led to believe that faith is simply knowing the right information about Christ and […]
This week is Kids Camp 2012. I’ll be blogging and sharing highlights from this impactful experience at: wikidscamp.org
I just want to let you know that it’s gonna be quiet around here for a while. Not because I have nothing to say or share. I just don’t have time to craft the posts and there are a number of that I’m currently focusing on that is taking my attention. First is time with […]
Josh and Jessica Heyworth are great examples of intentional, spiritual parenting. While not perfect, the Heyworth’s are passionate about sharing, experimenting and encouraging others to discipleship their children. Here is their plea at Hayward Wesleyan Church’s vision Sunday a couple of weeks ago on the “Need for Family Discipleship” (click here for #1): source Vimeo
A couple of weeks ago, Hayward Wesleyan Church shared some of the vision for this next year. For as long as Hayward Wesleyan has been under Pastor Mark Wilson’s leadership (20+ years), the mantra has been: Bring ’em in Build ’em up Send ’em out Mark shared that the first 10 years our church was […]
Michelle Anthony, in her new book, Dreaming of More for the Next Generation: Lifetime Faith Ignited by Family Ministry,expresses a certain regret and a resolve: Partly out of ignorance, much of my past ministry had eliminated parents from experiencing their God-given role of nurturing faith. There were even times when, out of compassion, I felt […]
NSEW | Game Setup The room needs to have either four walls, or four square lines (with somewhat equal area on each of the 4 walls or lines) Mark each wall or line with a sign of the 4 points of a compass—North, South, East, and West How to Play NSEW: This is a large […]
Basic Dodgeball Rules Divide the room into two halves with a center dividing line Place the dodgeballs on the center line and start the players on the back line of each side A player is OUT when hit by a ball from an opposing player that does NOT hit the ground, ceiling, wall, or anyone […]
Basic Dodgeball Rules Divide the room into two halves with a center dividing line Place the dodgeballs on the center line and start the players on the back line of each side A player is OUT when hit by a ball from an opposing player that does NOT hit the ground, ceiling, wall, or anyone […]
Basic Dodgeball Rules Divide the room into two halves with a center dividing line Place the dodgeballs on the center line and start the players on the back line of each side A player is OUT when hit by a ball from an opposing player that does NOT hit the ground, ceiling, wall, or anyone […]
Samuel Clarkson wrote a book called The Church at Home: A Plea for Family Religion (available for free @ Google Books) circa 1860. I wrote a post called Do As I Say, Not As I Do a couple of days ago with a quote from the author of this book. Clarkson has some great things […]
Basic Dodgeball Rules Divide the room into two halves with a center dividing line Place the dodgeballs on the center line and start the players on the back line of each side A player is OUT when hit by a ball from an opposing player that does NOT hit the ground, ceiling, wall, or anyone […]
Basic Dodgeball Rules Divide the room into two halves with a center dividing line Place the dodgeballs on the center line and start the players on the back line of each side A player is OUT when hit by a ball from an opposing player that does NOT hit the ground, ceiling, wall, or anyone […]