"Kids 360" for Royal City Church
A plan forward for Royal City Church to consistently and sustainably partner with parents to influence all of our kids in Godliness and personal faith.
More is caught than taught.
We need consistent meaningful interaction with kids so that each child has approximately 5 Godly adults who interact with them regularly, know them by name (& birthday if possible) and pray regularly for them. (‘Inspiration’ becomes more important than ‘education’, but not exclusive)
The goal is that kids would ‘own’ their faith and grow to be devoted followers of Christ (Inspiration), not just know about their faith (Education). Research indicates that parents who depend on church’s programs to teach their children matters of faith, will be sadly disappointed in the results. The program ‘glitziness’ doesn’t matter! (Note reference books we have listed later on)
We will offer ‘Plan to Protect’ seminars 2 times ‘in house’ each calendar year so that all are aware of the plan and/or encourage on-line course as needed in-between. All involved adults and Senior youth should be encouraged to take this training. All involved in ministry responsibility will have an up-to-date ‘Vulnerable Sector’ police check.
Celebrate each family’s journey, by public prayer and celebration during pregnancy, birth announcements by email to church family, Baby’s first visit to church introductions and Child Dedication opportunities.
1. Formal ‘gathered church community’ environment:
a) Nursery (ages 0 through 3). Include older kids as helpers and make it as safe and convenient as possible (Main floor location).
b) Junior Church (up to age 7).
c) In service activities for kids 8-13, linked in some fashion to the adult service theme.
2. Investigate and suggest quality teaching materials to ‘partner with parents’ in the task of teaching their children.
3. Fun encounters with Godly adults (Games, activities)
4. Celebrating the Arts (music, art, crafts, etc.) that adds a ‘kids inclusion’ component. (Praise teams, choirs, orchestra etc.)
5. Inclusive participation of kids during regular Church gathering times in some meaningful way.
6. Performance opportunities that highlight & celebrate the kids’ abilities (Care taken not to be exclusive). Public mention of 4H winnings etc. A ‘kids Highlight Moment’ in public services. We would need parents participation to let us know these items. (A kids highlight moment).
7. Junior Youth as a natural next step. (Special event JR Pitch)
8. Senior Youth. (special event: Pitch ‘n'Praise. Plus: Encouragement toward a short term, cross cultural missions
experience for each one BEFORE they make major life decisions of University or life partner)
9. Consistent communication with ‘away students’ at university/college. Email contact, Skype updates (Even in service) care to acknowledge when they are home visiting.
10. Our Elders/Deacons lead the way in getting to know the kids by name, and participate in some of the in-service celebrations.
Reference materials:
“Sticky Faith” by Dr. Kara Powell and Dr. Chap Clark (Zondervan) ISBN 978-0-310-32932-9
“Intentional Parenting” by Tad Thompson (Cruciform press) ISBN 978-1-936760-06-0
Some related thoughts:
Usually a program is developed because of an identified concern. In our case, in part, it has been spurred by families who have left our fellowship for reasons that seem linked to a perceived and/or real concern that we do not have a safe environment and/or effective Children’s ministry. Our goal should not be just ‘to attract families’ but, to have such a meaningful, evident faith, that our kids WANT to participate in this life long journey with Christ at the helm. For most who have suggested that tat they do not feel that their children are safe……it’s not more facility
security that’s needed or even possible……we are called to minister to a very broad spectrum of our community. We want to help families catch the heart of Christ for the friends who come and sit in this place with us. Not all are totally polished and spiffy! In many ways we are not a ‘safe’ environment!....(but by God’s enabling we will be an
inclusionary community consistently influencing others toward personal faith experience with Christ). (C.S. Lewis wrote in ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ that Aslan was not a ‘safe’ lion).
We need consistent meaningful interaction with kids so that each child has approximately 5 Godly adults who interact with them regularly, know them by name (& birthday if possible) and pray regularly for them. (‘Inspiration’ becomes more important than ‘education’, but not exclusive)
The goal is that kids would ‘own’ their faith and grow to be devoted followers of Christ (Inspiration), not just know about their faith (Education). Research indicates that parents who depend on church’s programs to teach their children matters of faith, will be sadly disappointed in the results. The program ‘glitziness’ doesn’t matter! (Note reference books we have listed later on)
We will offer ‘Plan to Protect’ seminars 2 times ‘in house’ each calendar year so that all are aware of the plan and/or encourage on-line course as needed in-between. All involved adults and Senior youth should be encouraged to take this training. All involved in ministry responsibility will have an up-to-date ‘Vulnerable Sector’ police check.
Celebrate each family’s journey, by public prayer and celebration during pregnancy, birth announcements by email to church family, Baby’s first visit to church introductions and Child Dedication opportunities.
1. Formal ‘gathered church community’ environment:
a) Nursery (ages 0 through 3). Include older kids as helpers and make it as safe and convenient as possible (Main floor location).
b) Junior Church (up to age 7).
c) In service activities for kids 8-13, linked in some fashion to the adult service theme.
2. Investigate and suggest quality teaching materials to ‘partner with parents’ in the task of teaching their children.
3. Fun encounters with Godly adults (Games, activities)
4. Celebrating the Arts (music, art, crafts, etc.) that adds a ‘kids inclusion’ component. (Praise teams, choirs, orchestra etc.)
5. Inclusive participation of kids during regular Church gathering times in some meaningful way.
6. Performance opportunities that highlight & celebrate the kids’ abilities (Care taken not to be exclusive). Public mention of 4H winnings etc. A ‘kids Highlight Moment’ in public services. We would need parents participation to let us know these items. (A kids highlight moment).
7. Junior Youth as a natural next step. (Special event JR Pitch)
8. Senior Youth. (special event: Pitch ‘n'Praise. Plus: Encouragement toward a short term, cross cultural missions
experience for each one BEFORE they make major life decisions of University or life partner)
9. Consistent communication with ‘away students’ at university/college. Email contact, Skype updates (Even in service) care to acknowledge when they are home visiting.
10. Our Elders/Deacons lead the way in getting to know the kids by name, and participate in some of the in-service celebrations.
Reference materials:
“Sticky Faith” by Dr. Kara Powell and Dr. Chap Clark (Zondervan) ISBN 978-0-310-32932-9
“Intentional Parenting” by Tad Thompson (Cruciform press) ISBN 978-1-936760-06-0
Some related thoughts:
Usually a program is developed because of an identified concern. In our case, in part, it has been spurred by families who have left our fellowship for reasons that seem linked to a perceived and/or real concern that we do not have a safe environment and/or effective Children’s ministry. Our goal should not be just ‘to attract families’ but, to have such a meaningful, evident faith, that our kids WANT to participate in this life long journey with Christ at the helm. For most who have suggested that tat they do not feel that their children are safe……it’s not more facility
security that’s needed or even possible……we are called to minister to a very broad spectrum of our community. We want to help families catch the heart of Christ for the friends who come and sit in this place with us. Not all are totally polished and spiffy! In many ways we are not a ‘safe’ environment!....(but by God’s enabling we will be an
inclusionary community consistently influencing others toward personal faith experience with Christ). (C.S. Lewis wrote in ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ that Aslan was not a ‘safe’ lion).
Written and compiled by Pastor Dennis, with support from the board.