I'll come to the reason behind the title of this weeks piece but first - what a week I've had!
As I said last week I met with Kathy Eddie - the Sth Queensland District Childrens Ministry Director - for dinner last Thursday night. It was great meeting her and discussing the many areas that we have in common. Great to hear of the District Children's Camp held every year, something we have discussed doing here. Whilst challenges are not always good it was good to know that many of the challenges we face here in Children's Ministry are faced over there too. On a positive note I was able to talk with Kathy about our proposal to share resources amongst our churches and the progress being made on multiple communication channels such as this blog, our Facebook page and the Children's Ministry page on the WMCNZ website (which by the way I have just reviewed and which will be live soon - so watch this space!). Sth Queensland Children's Ministry also have a facebook page which I will link to from our page when I access it.
Other news for me was the confirmation that my Masters thesis "as a Little Child: Children in the Theology of John Wesley" was passed by the markers. I will publish that shortly. In the meantime if you would like to read it please let me know - email me children@wesleyan.org.nz or leave me a message as a comment here or on the WesleyanKids Facebook page.
And now - why the title "Let's just do it"?
Well 3 weeks ago I said this "What material can we use that enables us to teach Biblical truths from a Wesleyan doctrinal viewpoint. What material can we use that enables us to encourage children along the path to entire sanctification? In particular what material works in a NZ setting.
As National Children's Ministry Coordinator for the WMCNZ many will look to me to answer those questions .... but the only answer I can give at present is I'm still looking to find it. I can say though that to my knowledge there is nothing with a distinctly Wesleyan doctrinal approach with an NZ flavour.
Hmmm - maybe there's a PhD topic in that?"
Rosalea commented that there is some work being done in Australia on this - when I find out more details I'll let you know. But in the meantime the thought has occurred to me why not "Let's just do it". Why wait until we have a full curriculum? Why not start writing it now - as we prepare our lessons each week let's bring in Wesleyan theology and distinctives and let's do it from a South Pacific context. And let's share what we're doing. That way we'll build up a South Pacific Wesleyan Children's curriculum.
I'm teaching on Joseph this week so I'll start there.
What about you?
Let's just do it!
Blessings as you do His work with children
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Hands across the sea
or should that be hands across the ditch. Heading over to Aus for a meeting on theological education and have set up a meeting with the Sth Queensland District Childrens Ministry Director Kathy Eddie and another (and I quote) " young lady who is very passionate about this form of ministry." (that's you Kathryn!) Really looking forward to swapping what's happening and seeing how we can work together and support each other in this most important of ministries - being agents of God's grace in working with the Holy Spirit to draw children to God and nurture them in their faith.
Sounds like a mission statement - no not really but it does remind me that I was asked during the week if we had a vision / mission statement for Wesleyan Kids NZ. Anyone got any ideas? What is the vision / mission of your Children's Ministry.
In my thesis on the place of children in the theology of John Wesley one of the lessons I discovered from him is the need to know clearly what you aiming at. Doesn't have to be in a mission statement but we do need to know what we are trying to achieve. For instance are you just providing a safe place for children during the "adult service"; is your aim to teach children the stories from the Bible (David and Goliath, Jonah, Gideon and so on); are you aiming to introduce children to your Lord and Saviour so that they accept him as their Lord and Saviour? Your answer to questions like this will determine what you do in your ministry.
Hey this sounds a lot like last weeks blog. I wonder why - is it that I can't think of something else to blog about or is it that God is leading us to think about what we are doing. I believe it is the latter. So take the time to share with us what you are aiming for in your Children's Ministry. Even if you haven't got it sorted out yet put it up - maybe together we can help each other finetune what we are doing.
And on that thesis I'm pleased to say I've been told it's now back from both markers - don't know what grade I've got but hopefully it won't be too long before I can release it. Watch this space and watch the bookshelves for the book that will come from it.
Blessings to you as you work with Him with the children
Pastor Pete
Sounds like a mission statement - no not really but it does remind me that I was asked during the week if we had a vision / mission statement for Wesleyan Kids NZ. Anyone got any ideas? What is the vision / mission of your Children's Ministry.
In my thesis on the place of children in the theology of John Wesley one of the lessons I discovered from him is the need to know clearly what you aiming at. Doesn't have to be in a mission statement but we do need to know what we are trying to achieve. For instance are you just providing a safe place for children during the "adult service"; is your aim to teach children the stories from the Bible (David and Goliath, Jonah, Gideon and so on); are you aiming to introduce children to your Lord and Saviour so that they accept him as their Lord and Saviour? Your answer to questions like this will determine what you do in your ministry.
Hey this sounds a lot like last weeks blog. I wonder why - is it that I can't think of something else to blog about or is it that God is leading us to think about what we are doing. I believe it is the latter. So take the time to share with us what you are aiming for in your Children's Ministry. Even if you haven't got it sorted out yet put it up - maybe together we can help each other finetune what we are doing.
And on that thesis I'm pleased to say I've been told it's now back from both markers - don't know what grade I've got but hopefully it won't be too long before I can release it. Watch this space and watch the bookshelves for the book that will come from it.
Blessings to you as you work with Him with the children
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What is Children's Ministry
What is Children's Ministry? Is it Sunday School? Is it Kids Church? Is it holiday programmes? Is it after school clubs? is it a midweek programme? Is it a drop in with games and activities? Is it building relationships with kids? Is it programmes at large church gatherings? Is it leading kids into a relationship with our Lord and nurturing them in that faith.
Is it any and all of these? Are any not Children's Ministry? What else is it?
Food for thought.
Pastor Pete
Is it any and all of these? Are any not Children's Ministry? What else is it?
Food for thought.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What are we teaching our kids?
Over last weekend I was privileged to be able to take part in The Stream - the second Theological Symposium which gives those in the John Wesley family of churches including Wesleyan Methodist Church of NZ (WMCNZ), The Church of the Nazarene, The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church of NZ the opportunity to learn more about Wesleyan doctrines and distinctives.
Rev Dr. Glen O'Brien, in one of his sessions talked of how so much of Children's Ministry in the church is aimed at making children good members of society (teaching them how to behave, have good morals, how to react in the face of peer pressure etc) rather than teaching biblical truths. He also spoke of how little Wesleyan preachers call church attenders to grow in the likeness of Christ, to grow in sanctification etc as John Wesley did.
It got me thinking - Is he right? Do we teach children biblical truths? Do we actively work as a Prevenient Grace agent (a phrase borrowed from Rev Dr. Richard Waugh) working with the Holy Spirit to draw children into relationship with God through Jesus Christ and do we work with the Spirit to nurture children towards sanctification?
Many of us want to. Many of us do our best. But how do we do it? What material can we use that enables us to teach Biblical truths from a Wesleyan doctrinal viewpoint. What material can we use that enables us to encourage children along the path to entire sanctification? In particular what material works in a NZ setting.
As National Children's Ministry Coordinator for the WMCNZ many will look to me to answer those questions .... but the only answer I can give at present is I'm still looking to find it. I can say though that to my knowledge there is nothing with a distinctly Wesleyan doctrinal approach with an NZ flavour.
Hmmm - maybe there's a PhD topic in that?
Oh and by the way - John Wesley believed children of a very young age could live a sanctified life (a brief glimpse into my thesis due out soon)
So in signing off I ask you - what material do you know of that could be used to encourage children along the path of entire sanctification - in the words of John Wesley - having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked.
Pastor Pete
Rev Dr. Glen O'Brien, in one of his sessions talked of how so much of Children's Ministry in the church is aimed at making children good members of society (teaching them how to behave, have good morals, how to react in the face of peer pressure etc) rather than teaching biblical truths. He also spoke of how little Wesleyan preachers call church attenders to grow in the likeness of Christ, to grow in sanctification etc as John Wesley did.
It got me thinking - Is he right? Do we teach children biblical truths? Do we actively work as a Prevenient Grace agent (a phrase borrowed from Rev Dr. Richard Waugh) working with the Holy Spirit to draw children into relationship with God through Jesus Christ and do we work with the Spirit to nurture children towards sanctification?
Many of us want to. Many of us do our best. But how do we do it? What material can we use that enables us to teach Biblical truths from a Wesleyan doctrinal viewpoint. What material can we use that enables us to encourage children along the path to entire sanctification? In particular what material works in a NZ setting.
As National Children's Ministry Coordinator for the WMCNZ many will look to me to answer those questions .... but the only answer I can give at present is I'm still looking to find it. I can say though that to my knowledge there is nothing with a distinctly Wesleyan doctrinal approach with an NZ flavour.
Hmmm - maybe there's a PhD topic in that?
Oh and by the way - John Wesley believed children of a very young age could live a sanctified life (a brief glimpse into my thesis due out soon)
So in signing off I ask you - what material do you know of that could be used to encourage children along the path of entire sanctification - in the words of John Wesley - having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
and more games
Had a blast at 9:45 Live (our Family Friendly Kids Service) at Redoubt North Wesleyan on Sunday. Working in Ephesians we talked about obeying our parents (Eph 6:1-3). With the link to the Old Testament (check it out) the logical game to play was "Old Testament." I've copied it below - but first I have to tell you that even the adults needed a clue to get the words!
Have fun!
Pastor Pete
OLD TESTAMENT ALPHABET HUNT
Years: 1-6
Game Type: Large Motor
Number of Teams: 2 or more
Playing Area: Indoors or Outdoors
Equipment or Supplies: O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T Letters
Object of Game: The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.
DIRECTIONS
Pre-Class Preparation: Photocopy the O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T letters on
cardstock. Make enough copies for each team plus two additional copies.
additional copies. Cut out the letters along the dotted lines then “hide” them
around room.
Directions:
1. Divide the class in two or more teams. Have players stand behind the
starting line as shown below.
2. On “GO” all the players but one on each team look for the letters to make
the words Old Testament. Have the one player who is not searching for the
letters stay behind the “starting line”. As the letters are found, have the
players bring the cards back to the player behind the “starting line” and
lay the letters on the floor in the right order to spell Old Testament. When
most of the letters are found, the player behind the “starting line” can call
out to his team the letters left to find.
3. Players continue looking for the letters until all of them are found.
4. The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.
Have fun!
Pastor Pete
OLD TESTAMENT ALPHABET HUNT
Years: 1-6
Game Type: Large Motor
Number of Teams: 2 or more
Playing Area: Indoors or Outdoors
Equipment or Supplies: O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T Letters
Object of Game: The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.
DIRECTIONS
Pre-Class Preparation: Photocopy the O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T letters on
cardstock. Make enough copies for each team plus two additional copies.
additional copies. Cut out the letters along the dotted lines then “hide” them
around room.
Directions:
1. Divide the class in two or more teams. Have players stand behind the
starting line as shown below.
2. On “GO” all the players but one on each team look for the letters to make
the words Old Testament. Have the one player who is not searching for the
letters stay behind the “starting line”. As the letters are found, have the
players bring the cards back to the player behind the “starting line” and
lay the letters on the floor in the right order to spell Old Testament. When
most of the letters are found, the player behind the “starting line” can call
out to his team the letters left to find.
3. Players continue looking for the letters until all of them are found.
4. The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.
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