Ideas to help your church and children’s ministry respond to the COVID-19 illness and disruptions. We urge planing and prayer – not panic.
Kids need to know that God is in control – this children’s message object lesson makes that point with a fun reference to St. Patrick’s Day. Download the message script below and watch the demonstration video to help you prepare. “Trusting God in Times of Doubt” Children’s Sermon Object Lesson from John 4:5-42 Main Objective: This message is a reminder that God is in control, no matter what else might happen. We are not subject to the
How many churches are actually closing because of the Coronavirus pandemic? We are asking that question each week and sharing our research on this page. Weekly Percentage of Churches Closed, Modified, or Normal Schedule 3/15 3/22 3/29 4/5 4/12 4/19 4/26 5/3 5/10 5/17 5/24 5/31 Online Only 25.6 85.6 93.5 95.4 95.0 96.4 95.2 89.7 87.2 75.1 73.8 63.5 Modified 8.5 6.3 3.1 2.8 2.4 1.9 2.6 5.7 8.3 16.8 16.6 20.3 Normal Schedule 65.9 8.1
COVID-19 has been closing churches since March 15th. Congregations are starting to come back. 20% of churches will open for in-person events this Sunday (5/17). That’s up from a low of 3.6% on 4/19. We’ve been polling our website readers every week: What is your church doing this Sunday? Full results at the link below. We went live on Facebook with Tom Bump from the Kids Ministry Collective to talk through all these issues (and more). Transcript
Children love games – online video conference games too! If you’re doing a virtual VBS or online kids ministry, these are some ideas you need in your toolkit. Thanks so much to Shawn M Howell for posting this video on YouTube. 20 Online Video Share Games for Kids Looking for fun games to play on zoom with kids and families? I have 20 easy virtual zoom games for you to play with kids of all ages. So
Kids will love this Virtual VBS curriculum for 2020. It features at 3 day VBS at home schedule, but could also be done fully online. BOLT VBS is a new curriculum option for Vacation Bible School for the summer of 2020. This VBS program is built for families to share a virtual VBS experience at home during the Coronavirus stay-at-home order. Churches can purchase this video-based VBS curriculum and share it with every family in their congregation
With the stay-at-home orders covering all 50 states, this summer’s VBS could be in danger. I’d love to hear what you are thinking. Leave a comment below. What’s your plan for VBS this Summer? Should churches cancel VBS for summer of 2020? From what I’m hearing, most churches will wait until the first week of May to start those discussions. My personal though is even if society starts to open back, few parents will want their kids
We’ve been polling our readers each week to find the percent of churches closed. Now we’re adding another poll to track when church leaders expect their church services to open again. Here was the first week of the poll – it will run each week. (Monday – Thursday). Our polls about who is closed will run in the weekends (Friday – Sunday). When will churches open? Week of 3/23 to 3/26 See the full poll – survey
What does the Bible say about the Coronavirus Pandemic? God is not silent, HE is speaking in the Holy Scriptures. Churches can respond and share God’s love even when the building is closed. Here are some key scriptures and prayers to share with your family, congregation, or friends during this public health crisis. What does the Bible say about Coronavirus? Bible Prophecy, Scripture quotes, and Prayers for Christians What this article covers: What does the Bible say
This Sunday School lesson was designed for parents to use with their children at home on the week of March 29, 2020. Everything is included in the PDF download below (teaching notes, coloring pages, craft directions, game ideas, and worksheets). Use what is most helpful for your kids and ignore the rest. Families can also watch our children’s message, suggested music, and craft demonstration in the video playlist below. “Jesus Raised Lazarus” Home Sunday School Lesson on John
“Giving” and “offering” are words that make every minister shy — Your pastor isn’t called to panhandle for offerings. Nobody wants to be a televangelist during this pandemic. Even to mention “online giving” will trigger the haters on Facebook. BUT…. Right now — creative and brave church leaders are finding ways to impact their community. They are looking outside their congregations to spread hope like never before. Why should the supply lines get cut while the battle
Kids are afraid – and bored – and parents are feeling the stress. THIS IS THE TIME WHEN YOUR KIDS MINISTRY IS NEEDED MOST. Here are my top five thing you can do right now to help children’s (and parents) turn to JESUS today. 1. Share what the Bible says to us during this crisis. 2. Help families to pray together – 5 finger prayer and coloring page 3. Church leaders should be calling every family to pray.
Coronavirus is disrupting life around the world. Kids need answers! The fear and anxiety of this crisis is amplifying the disruption in their lives. This page is our list of resources to help parents explain the COVID19 pandemic to their children. Please leave a comment to share more resources, I’ll be updating this article daily. I’ve included resources from Christian and non-religious perspectives to make sure parents have all the help they need! Coronavirus Explained for Kids
Kids need Bible teaching, even when the church is closed. This page lists our favorite free resources for virtual Sunday School and kids church online. Online Children’s Church Service Kidology Kids Church Online FREE ONLINE KID’S CHURCH SERVICE FOR CHURCHES WHO HAVE HAD TO CANCEL PUBLIC GATHERINGS If your church, like mine, has had to cancel services, I created a children’s church video for kids and parents to watch at home. Virtual Sunday School These videos are
COVID-19 related church cancellations are rolling in fast. It’s time for ministry leaders to step forward and find non-traditional paths of ministry that do not include in-person meetings. This page is a resources for anyone leading children’s or youth ministry when their church services are cancelled due to the spreading Coronavirus disease. Please share this page and leave your comments as we’re constantly updating it with more ideas to help your ministry. This is tragic and unprecedented. But
COVID-19 is now spreading in the USA and churches need to plan ahead. How will your church and Children’s Ministry respond to Coronavirus fears? Here are some important steps every congregation, Sunday School, and Kids’ Ministry can take right now. Don’t miss the official CDC guidance for faith-based organizations. This is not about panic, but wise planning and prayers. The news can be sensational, but wise leaders will prepare for both the fears and possible health danger.
