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Children’s Ministry thoughts
One of the churches we are working with just finished a white paper on Children’s Ministry. They did 6 months of research on child development and discipling kids (legit research) and put the findings in a very short paper (4 pages) and then a proposal for what Children’s Ministry could look like (2 pages)…for a total of 6 pages. The research was unbelievable and at some points jawdropping.
For instance…”Children were more likely to have vibrant faith if the parents weren’t even Christians than if the parents went to church and didn’t act as the primary disciplers of their kids.”
The findings basically say that the way we’ve done Children’s Ministry in the past 30 years (and perhaps longer) doesn’t work…almost ever! I think we’ve probably known this, but it’s helpful to know why…and more positively…what we can do to change that.
The white paper doesn’t have all the research, more of the topline findings and highlights + a way forward that is consistent with how 3DM is coming alongside local churches.
Anyways, here is the link to the PDF if you’re interested. Hope you enjoy it.
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15 Responses to Children’s Ministry thoughts
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2011/10/08
[...] gave us all so much to think about - specifically, when he mentioned this quote from a recent survey: “Children were more likely to have vibrant faith if the parents weren’t even [...]
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Fascinating, excellent insight that both clarifies and confirms what I’ve been thinking… Thanks for sharing it!
Mike, this is so timely as Peter and I have recently become part of a church plant on a college campus (lcfVA) with no children’s ministry at all. Particularly interesting is the comment about parents who weren’t the primary disciplers. Can’t wait to read the paper.
Thank you for sharing this, Mike. It is a subject that God has put on my heart for several years now. As Brian and I are developing this new church, children and family ministry is an area I really want to challenge us on.
INCREDIBLE article! Thank you so much for sharing. I recently started a business/ministry creating scripture flashcards for children, a great tool for parents to use to help disciple children. Check them out at http://www.truthcards.org.
Any idea how/where to get our hands on the dissertation by Tim Levert?
Joanna, we just sent an email with the dissertation.
Can I also have a copy of the dissertation?
Many thanks, Anthony
Thank you for sharing this! This puts into words my heart, passion, and frustrations much better than I have been able to. Thank you!!
I couldn’t get the link to work. Any tips on how I can access it? Thanks!
Try it again now. There was a technical problem that needed to be ironed out.
I think it’s better not to provide social security range.Do they called you ans ID?
Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really something which I feel I would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m taking a look forward in your subsequent submit, I will try to get the cling of it!
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