It is with great pleasure and excitement that I tell you that Kristen Jones has taken over from me in leading the National Children's Ministry for the Wesleyan Methodist Church of NZ. My task as convener of the Children's Ministry Task group was to develop the national work to the point where the appropriate structure for this vital part of the church's mission in the world could be identified and put in place. That has been achieved and Children's Ministry now takes its place alongside the established national ministries of youth, missions, resources and Ministry Development
Kristen's appointment was made by WMCNZ's National Council last week and in doing so we have affirmed a young woman with drive and passion for Children's Ministry who will take this work to a new level. As I say I am excited that someone with Kristen's skills and abilities has listened to God's call to this ministry and it was my pleasure to nominate her for the role. I hope everyone gives her the support you have given me over the last 2 years.
What's for me now. My call as an ordained minister in the WMCNZ is in large part to Children's Ministry and that does not change with this handing on of the baton. My time as leader of this ministry is at an end and I move into a support role - I will continue to be involved in whatever capacity(s) Kristen would like me to be involved.
Blessings
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Looking for CM training - read on
Firstly - an apology for not getting anything up last week. The week got away from me!
Finally I can talk about it Carey Baptist College are offering a "Children and Family Ministry Combo" for the first time next year (2011). This is exciting as it is the only such evangelical training for Children & Families Ministry that I am aware of at any of NZ's ministry training colleges. I'm excited also because I was privileged to be asked for input / comment as the combo was developed.
The combo is "four courses designed to help equip you for the opportunities and challenges of serving Jesus in children and family ministries". It's a combination of 2 block courses (i.e. attendance for 1 week per course at Carey) and 2 field education courses (you work in your local setting applying what you've learnt with assessments designed to help you evaluate what you are doing etc).
This can be done either full-time or part-time and the courses can be taken individually, as a stand-alone combo, or as part of one of Carey's qualifications.
The courses are
Children's Ministry (I've done this course - it's great!)
The Family in NZ Society
2 Field Education courses (I've done these also - found them to be great for learning to apply what I learnt in the classroom
So - go for it - take advantage of this great opportunity. There are deadlines for applying. Those and more information on Carey can be found here - Carey Baptist College.
By the way I'm a great fan of Carey and encourage anyone who wants a thorough bible based applied focus ministry education with in a caring community to go to Carey.
Pastor Pete
Finally I can talk about it Carey Baptist College are offering a "Children and Family Ministry Combo" for the first time next year (2011). This is exciting as it is the only such evangelical training for Children & Families Ministry that I am aware of at any of NZ's ministry training colleges. I'm excited also because I was privileged to be asked for input / comment as the combo was developed.
The combo is "four courses designed to help equip you for the opportunities and challenges of serving Jesus in children and family ministries". It's a combination of 2 block courses (i.e. attendance for 1 week per course at Carey) and 2 field education courses (you work in your local setting applying what you've learnt with assessments designed to help you evaluate what you are doing etc).
This can be done either full-time or part-time and the courses can be taken individually, as a stand-alone combo, or as part of one of Carey's qualifications.
The courses are
Children's Ministry (I've done this course - it's great!)
The Family in NZ Society
2 Field Education courses (I've done these also - found them to be great for learning to apply what I learnt in the classroom
So - go for it - take advantage of this great opportunity. There are deadlines for applying. Those and more information on Carey can be found here - Carey Baptist College.
By the way I'm a great fan of Carey and encourage anyone who wants a thorough bible based applied focus ministry education with in a caring community to go to Carey.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Lesson Two: Know and Apply Your Overall Theology
Another snippet from my thesis - which by the way I will have published shortly
Blessings
Pastor Pete
What is also as applicable today as it was in the eighteenth century is how Wesley’s wider theology informed his view of children within that theology which in turn enlightened his educational endeavours as they related to children. Those called to minister to children should follow his example and ensure that their theology also informs their practice.
Yet it is more than just allowing their theology to inform their practice. Wesley did not hold his theological views regarding children in isolation and nor must those involved in children’s ministry. If we are to follow Wesley’s example the theological views applied in any children’s ministry must be in accord with those of the parent body. For example, the theological viewpoint of the local church must inform the theological views regarding children which in turn will be played out in the practical ministry to children in that setting.
Before we proceed to lesson three there is one further aspect of the development of theology which is worth learning from Wesley. Like him those involved in children’s ministry (indeed all Christians for that matter) would do well to base their theology on Scripture. At the same time they should, as he did, allow experience to inform and refine their theology and in so doing actively engage in child theology.
Blessings
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
To prepare them for eternity
What a fantastic weekend! Last weekend was the 11th annual conference of the WMCNZ and included the 10thy anniversary celebrations. A fantastic time of fellowship as we celebrated the past and envisioned the future.
As always at Conference we also held EQUIP which is a time of teaching and training for all. As has been our practice in recent years one stream was Children's Ministry. Ian and Yvonne Fletcher spoke with us on "Child Evangelism" which provided the theological and biblical reasons why we must evangelise children. Then in session 2 they engaged us in "Life Changing Storytelling". Here we were taught how to bring stories to life and the art of using the gospel stories to challenge and change the lives of the children. They set out principles that enable teachers to work with the Holy Spirit to transform the hearts and lives of the children, to make disciples not religious clones.
That all sounds really dry but believe me it was anything but. From learning new songs to learning how to bring stories to life it was lively, engaging and life changing especially for the children we minister to.
What was really gratifying also was that there were about 25 people who attended one or more of the 3 sessions. That may not sound like many but it shows the increasing desire of people for CM training when you realise that just a few years ago we would be lucky to get 5 to attend any training.
Missed these sessions? That's a shame but I hope we can run them again soon - so watch out for that.
To end. here's a comment from Yvonne that I really like
The school has them [children] all week to prepare them for life
We have them for 1 or 2 hours a week to prepare them for eternity
Till next week
Pastor Pete
As always at Conference we also held EQUIP which is a time of teaching and training for all. As has been our practice in recent years one stream was Children's Ministry. Ian and Yvonne Fletcher spoke with us on "Child Evangelism" which provided the theological and biblical reasons why we must evangelise children. Then in session 2 they engaged us in "Life Changing Storytelling". Here we were taught how to bring stories to life and the art of using the gospel stories to challenge and change the lives of the children. They set out principles that enable teachers to work with the Holy Spirit to transform the hearts and lives of the children, to make disciples not religious clones.
That all sounds really dry but believe me it was anything but. From learning new songs to learning how to bring stories to life it was lively, engaging and life changing especially for the children we minister to.
What was really gratifying also was that there were about 25 people who attended one or more of the 3 sessions. That may not sound like many but it shows the increasing desire of people for CM training when you realise that just a few years ago we would be lucky to get 5 to attend any training.
Missed these sessions? That's a shame but I hope we can run them again soon - so watch out for that.
To end. here's a comment from Yvonne that I really like
The school has them [children] all week to prepare them for life
We have them for 1 or 2 hours a week to prepare them for eternity
Till next week
Pastor Pete
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