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A healthy bus ministry consists of more than providing transportation between church and home. Volunteers and riders will flock to buses that offer programs that meet their needs. Volunteers need to know what to expect and how they can help. Riders are counting on you to set the tone, teach them how to behave, and introduce them to God’s kingdom. … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Kids are natural evangelists, they tell everything! Cultivate this love of sharing by teaching your kids about evangelism. By showing them how they can share their faith effectively, you will encourage their spirit and bring glory to God. Resist the urge to over teach with three month courses and seminars. Keep the gospel message powerful but simple. Incorporate some of … More Children’s Ministry Resources

If your picture of Christian bus ministry is full of positive attitudes and well-behaved children–you must be new! Don’t feel bad; bus ministry, while vital and exciting, is challenging for many, even the experienced volunteer. Prepare for explosive growth in your ministry by establishing discipline guidelines. When parents, teachers and children know what to expect, there’s less chance for confusion … More Children’s Ministry Resources

There are some exiting new ways to expand your church’s ministry through mobile technology. Just a few years ago it took a massive investment to build an iPhone app for your ministry. Only the largest congregations could afford the cost. Things have really changed. The prices for mobile ministry apps is now within reach of every congregation or even the … More Children’s Ministry Resources

**This is a guest post by Glenys Nellist  from Kids Ministry Matters Did you think Mission Trips were just for adults or young people? Think again. This summer I was fortunate enough to participate in a Family Mission Trip—in my 30-year involvement in children’s ministry, this would be a brand new experience for me. On a hot day in the … More Children’s Ministry Resources

This summer I had the opportunity to be a part of CentriKid Camp for a day with a few kids from my church.  This 3rd-6th grade camp offers Bible Study and Recreation in the morning, camper’s choice activity tracks in the afternoons, and an evening filled with worship, party, and church group time. I have some great video footage, but I’ve never made time … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Picture children running from all directions to climb aboard the church bus. No dragging kids to come to church, no begging or bribing. Real excitement that affects families, even neighborhoods. It can happen—it does happen in the bus ministry! If this doesn’t sound like your bus ministry, you can change that. Start here. 1. Reset the Standard The standard for … More Children’s Ministry Resources

In my first article on cross cultural kids ministry, I included ways to prepare you and your team for serving.  This post will address things to consider while you are on the field. You’ve packed your bags and you’ve no doubt had a journey to get where you are.  Maybe airplane turbulence has got you wondering how you’ll step on … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Mentors are not extra parents or just supportive friends; they are God-appointed guides that lead children through tough times. Like Paul and Timothy or Elijah and Elisha, mentors teach, instruct and impart to their students, often just one at a time. Mentors transcend these standard relationships with a golden, God-given purpose. Whether you mentor for a summer or several years, … More Children’s Ministry Resources

A children’s ministry requires a constant supply of prizes, equipment and material – all these things cost money. Some churches don’t have flexible budgets and may not be able to keep up with the growth of their children’s ministry. These same ideas can help your group sponsor a child. This doesn’t have to be a ministry killer. If you need … More Children’s Ministry Resources

I love ministering to children! Giving away hugs, seeing the “light” come in during lessons, witnessing heart changes. All of these things make my job worthwhile. This calling truly comes with its own rewards. Besides loving the baby chicks in my ministry “nest” I’ll admit there are times when my heart burns for the chicks that haven’t arrived yet. When … More Children’s Ministry Resources

We threw a “Pickle Palooza” in our Wednesday night children’s program. From the moment we announced the schedule, this was one of the most anticipated nights. Here are some of the themed elements we tried. Please leave a comment and share your own creative ideas. >>> Bible Connection <<< God Made You Special: We used our pickle party along with … More Children’s Ministry Resources

*Written by Amy Van Putten from North Point Church in Plainwell, MI. Are you someone who does not have a permanent church building? I have been unloading and reloading a trailer and running a ministry out of Rubbermaid tubs for 5 years. Mobile ministry has its challenges but if it’s what God has called you to do, it’s what you … More Children’s Ministry Resources

I created this video to help readers get the most out of our website. With thousands of 100% free resources ministry, we want to make things as easy as possible. Watch below to learn learn more and leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Have you heard about the 2011 LifeWay Kids Ministry Conference. Readers below shared their BIG DREAM for children’s ministry. The details of LifeWay’s Kids Ministry Conference are being planned now, and we want you to come and Dream Big with us! What a better place to Dream Big than Nashville, TN! Many move to Nashville each year to seek out big dreams in a … More Children’s Ministry Resources

I ran across this video on a friend’s Facebook page and it made me think. What will it take to raise a generation of Christians who won’t need the preacher beeper? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Watch the video and leave a comment below. What can we do now to make sure kids can live out their faith in … More Children’s Ministry Resources

I am a ballet dancer — performed for years, taught for years, retired to begin a family, became a Montessori teacher while the kids were young, and finally decided to listen to God’s calling — placing me in ministry. My kids have all of the “benefits” of being a PK with no student loans without perfect credit score from years … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Raising kids that truly love Jesus is hard work. That’s why so many of parents settle for plan B. What would happen if you were actually trying to raise a pretend believer? Here are some 9 steps you might take. My point is not to encourage this type of parenting, only to point out where we might be doing it on accident. Click … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Very few churches reach younger families without a strong preschool ministry. Here are nine practical ways to expand the number of preschool children coming to your church. Don’t miss our free printable preschool Bible lessons and preschool coloring pages. 1. Do it well.  It will be virtually impossible to grow your preschool ministry if you are doing it halfway.  Evaluate, … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Whether your kids meet in small groups or Sunday school classes, one of your goals is likely for that group to experience community.   In other words, you want them to build relationships and learn how important it is to have other believers in their lives.  But you know as well as I do that just because some kids are in … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Now that’s a loaded question for you! Any answer you give will likely blow up in your face. So before we attempt this dangerous feat, let’s work through some background issues. Who’s asking the question? In church life, you’ll find many motivations behind this query. Both parents and teens use those same words, but with different intent. It’s also a … More Children’s Ministry Resources

When a church has a small membership or is experiencing some type of transition, children’s ministry may not be their top priority. However, for a children’s ministry to be healthy, it needs the support of the church. The key to changing the misconception that this ministry is unimportant is to two-fold. First, you need to garner the support of your … More Children’s Ministry Resources

Whether a family is visiting or has been attending our church for a hundred years, my desire is that they feel welcomed in our ministry.  This can be a struggle as volunteers are so busy and are focused on other things on Sunday mornings. Here are a few easy things to implement to up your friendliness factor: 1.  Plant smiling … More Children’s Ministry Resources