Jeri Tanner

St. Patrick: Hero of Christian History

March 13th by Jeri Tanner
St. Patrick of Ireland Stained Glass

The True Tale of Patrick Much myth and legend surrounds the story of Patrick, born in Britain in the late 4th century. St. Patrick is often reduced to a mythical figure who performed magical feats (like driving all the snakes out of Ireland). The truth, as usual, is better than fiction! All that can be known [...]

Children's Ministry Ideas

A Brief History of Sunday School

October 12th by Jeri Tanner
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For many of us, Sunday school is a deeply rooted tradition, although it is actually a rather modern institution. Have you ever wondered about the origins and history of Sunday school? If so, here are a few facts you may find interesting. The idea of a “Sabbath school” for poor and uneducated children began in [...]

Sunday School Ideas

Fool Moon Rising (A Book Review)

September 22nd by Jeri Tanner
fool moon rising book

“Dear God, “I heard a cosmic story and wondered if it’s true. The Moon was stealing glory and this is what he’d do.” So begins a highly enjoyable and quite profound new children’s book from Crossway Books, cleverly titled Fool Moon Rising. Husband and wife team Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty wrote and illustrated this [...]

Book Reviews

Why Catechize Kids?

September 12th by Jeri Tanner
catechism Q and A

Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12: 1; Acts 17:24-29) from A Catechism for Boys and Girls What is catechism? The term “catechism” is one that may well bring up images of a strange, outdated method of instruction. But catechizing has been a time-honored and effective practice throughout [...]

Christian Parenting

Charles Spurgeon’s Encouragement for Children’s Workers

September 1st by Jeri Tanner
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Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” served as Pastor at Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England from 1854-1891. Here are words of wisdom on children’s ministry taken from a chapter in his book “Come, My Children:” “Nowadays, since the world has in it, alas! so few of Christian mothers and grandmothers, the church has thought [...]

Children's Ministry Encouragement & Vision

Kids Worship Songs + Scripture Memorization Music

August 26th by Jeri Tanner
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I’ve listened to quite a selection of Scripture cd’s over the past 30 years, but haven’t found any I like better than the Hide the Word cd’s put out by Mark Altrogge, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Indiana, Pennsylvania and writer of such great songs for worship as “I Stand in Awe” and [...]

Children's Ministry Ideas

How To Connect Older Adults and Children in Your Church

August 24th by Jeri Tanner
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Do the elderly members of your congregation know the names of the children and their parents in your church? Is there much meaningful interaction between the youth and children’s departments?  Does fellowship exist across the generations? If the answer is no or you’re not sure, you may want to consider some creative planning to bring [...]

Children's Ministry Ideas

Children and Storytelling

August 19th by Jeri Tanner
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The July 31, 2009 broadcast of the Albert Mohler radio program features an interview by guest-host Dr. Russell Moore with singer and musician Andrew Peterson on the need children have for rich, wonderful story. Dr. Moore asks the question, “Does storytelling matter to children?” The program discusses the importance of telling the right stories–and telling [...]

Christian Parenting

Lifeway’s “Levels of Biblical Learning” Craft Packs

August 18th by Jeri Tanner

Do you know about Lifeway’s “Levels of Biblical Learning” craft packs? These are some pretty nifty craft ideas along with the materials needed to make them, sold in packages of 10. Some of the projects they offer include wooden cross magnets, a color-your-own cloth iron-on, and a foam pouch for carrying Bible verses being memorized. [...]

Children's Ministry Activities

Children’s Workers Need “Big Church!”

August 10th by Jeri Tanner
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Your church, like mine, is likely blessed with dedicated volunteers who gladly give their time and energy to children’s ministry. But have you ever known volunteers who serve so willingly they never seem to make it to “big church” on Sundays and Wednesdays? I’ve seen that happen at times in my church–a worker gradually falls [...]

Volunteers

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