John Wesley and Children - thesis published

Yes - it's done. It's finished - well at least in its current form. My thesis "as a Little Child: Children in the Theology of John Wesley" is now available here. Now before you think this might be too academic or "scholarly" for you let me say check it out first then decide. Yes it's written in a way that meets the requirements of an academic work but I think it's also written in quite a conversational style. And as I say in the section "How to read this thesis"

... whilst written in the style required of an academic scholarly work it is my hope that it is also written in such a way as to be readable by anyone who has an interest in Children’s Ministry and who wants to get at least a small idea of what John Wesley, practical theologian and founder of Methodism, believed and practiced in relation to ministering to children.

It is my intention to publish a book from this work in the near future but in the meantime I offer this suggestion as to how to get the best of this thesis – read it and do it! In reading it -

• the academic / scholar will find the whole work of interest
  
• those who have little or no understanding of who John Wesley was or of his theology will find it helpful to also read the whole work in order to place the lessons I believe we can learn from him in context
  
• those who know who he was but know little of his theology will find they can read from Chapter Two and still be able to place the lessons I believe we can learn from him in context
  
• those who know who he was and feel they have a sufficient grasp of his theology will find that starting from Chapter Three will enable them to place the lessons in Chapter Five in the context of John Wesley, the man and the theologian
  
• and finally those who just want to find out the lessons for today can read the final chapter – Chapter 5 “Concluding Reflections and Potential Applications” and will find they have sufficient information to be able to implement those lessons in their ministry today.

My prayer is that everyone who reads this work , but especially those who minister to children, will learn something that they can apply in their ministry that will help them lead others into right relationship with God.

May God who knows what you do bless you abundantly beyond all you could ever imagine.

Pastor Pete

30 December 2010

Lesson Three: Know your goal

What are you trying to achieve in your Children's Ministry?
What are you trying to achieve in your lesson / activities this week?
What are you aiming to achieve from this part of your time with the kids?

These are vital questions to answer before you get in front of the kids God has entrusted to you. If you don't know where you are going you won't know when you've achieved it and worse still you probably won't achieve what you would like to.

These are all part of planning and as much as this might be the "boring" bit about ministry it's also a vital part. What can John Wesley teach us? Let's see as we look at the third lesson I identified in my thesis "as a Little Child: Children in the Theology of John Wesley"

Lesson Three: Know your goal

It is here that we learn from how Wesley ensured that the goal of education as he saw it informed his educational views and dictated their implementation. That is to say, knowing the goal enabled him to decide what needed to be done and how it needed to be done. With this goal clearly in mind he could, and did, review progress towards its achievement, and he could hold others accountable for their actions having first ensured they were aware of the goal. Knowing the goal he was able to say, near the end of his life, that it was generally being achieved.

Furthermore, with his goal clear in his mind, Wesley was able to take those actions that would maximise the chances of success. In addition he was able to ensure that actions which could thwart his attempts to achieve the aim of education were avoided. For instance, having the goal clearly in mind enabled him to be resolute in waiting to find those teachers who possessed the required level of spirituality and the right motives rather than rushing to employ some who did not.

The same is true in the twenty-first century. Those called to ministry to children need to know the goal they are trying to reach if they are to achieve it having put in place the right activities, personnel and methodology. This is particularly the case where the availability of resources, both personnel and monetary, is limited or restricted. It is even more important if the aim is seen to be similar to that Wesley’s, that is, fitting children to be in right relationship with God both in this world and the next. With this as the goal of ministry to children those in children’s ministry must be focused in ensuring that the actions taken contribute positively to, and thereby maximise the chances of, its attainment. For example, doing as Wesley did and waiting to find ministry workers with the required level of spirituality and the right motives rather than rushing in to use those who happen to be available or, worse still, those who need to be coerced to work with God in his ministry to children.

Blessings

Pastor Pete

New National Children's Ministry Leader

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

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

Lesson Two: Know and Apply Your Overall Theology

Another snippet from my thesis - which by the way I will have published shortly

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

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

Life Changing Teaching in Children's Ministry

Taking a break from publishing parts of my thesis to bring exciting news

As part of EQUIP 010 the Children's Ministry Task Group brings you 3 seminars which will help you reach kids for God's kingdom. Ian & Yvonne Fletcher from Children's Bible  Ministries will lead sessions on Child Evangelism and Life Changing Teaching in Children's Ministry.


Then to end the day we will gather for a Children's Ministry Forum - an opportunity to learn from and help each other as well as thinking about how we can apply what Ian & Yvonne have taught us.

See you at EQUIP 010 at Papakura Wesleyan this Saturday 30 November.

For those not attending the whole National Conference the cost is $15 for the day which includes morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch


Blessings in Christ's name
Pastor Pete