Engaging Children in Your Community

…… and their families!

Have you taken the pulse of your congregation?

Is it beating for the lost and disconnected?

If not what is getting in the way? ◦ Focus on “members” and members kids? ◦ Never talk about it? ◦ No urgency?

Pulse

Reaching the community takes energy:

Financial! Creative! Commitment! How much energy do you or the

congregation have?

How is your energy level?

too slow is NOT an option!

Slow and steady wins the race………

May need to change the culture:

How much of the budget is set aside for outreach?

How many conversations-meetings-other are had about the un-churched in your community?

Does your church have an evangelism team or do all the teams talk about evangelism!

Getting Fit for the Race

Teaching? Creative Arts? Sports? Evangelism? Hospitality?

Strength TestCongregational Gifts

◦Sports◦Arts◦Counseling◦Parks◦Other

Strength TestCommunity Strengths

Map out the course: Decide WHAT you are going to do? Decide WHEN you are going to do it? Look

at your church calendar and your community calendar.

Decide WHERE you are going to do it.

Starting the Race

Players are VERY important! Are they: Ready to welcome ALL people? Comfortable talking about Jesus? (if not is

someone on the team?) In it for the long haul- or at least able to

pass the baton?

Getting the players ready

Coaches are important? Who are they?: The Pastor People who are intentional about

connecting people to the church People who can see people through Jesus

eyes and know they may look and act different then a “typical” church goer?

Who’s the coach?

You have taken the pulseYou have sized up the playersYou have chosen the venues

The coaches are ready to cheer you onIts time to run the race!

But wait……. The road is a little bumpy!

The Race

Intentionality Willing and ready for mistakes. Knowing when to change course- and

knowing its ok! Willing to try things

◦ Throw things to the wall◦ Throw them out when they don’t stick!

It’s more than having a Program!

Can reach the kids by meeting parents needs.

Can reach parents by meeting kids needs. Growing the parents – will grow the kids.

It’s more than the Kids.. Its About Family!

A Journey…..

Celebration Ministries

A wonderful way to have many children and families on your campus daily!

Childcare/Schools

Intentionality

TEN years at Celebration ONE family joined church

Last two years approximately ONE family a MONTH

has remained committed. • Pastor seen several times throughout the week by

staff and families

• Staff catching the vision of the entire ministry

• Programs that meet the needs of our families

Business vs Ministry

Ministry: God’s word is being proclaimed and lives are being shaped and formed FREE OF CHARGE!

Business: Money is being collected, families are costumers, standards outside of the church must be obtained.

Ministry & Business: The church is charged with being good stewards of the business.

Is the church being faithful to the great commission? Sharing Christ with the families of the

school

Being examples of Christ Love by praying with and for the families?

Providing ways for families to grow in their faith?

Is the church being good stewards of the finances? ◦Mission first? ◦ Managing funds and following best business practice to ensure ministry into the future?

A wonderful way to meet needs in the community!

Programs

Are the programs meeting the needs of the participants?

CelebrateConnect

CareCalling

Types of Programs

Try to engage children in worship Make if family friendly or have an

alternative to meet each developmental age Use dance ribbons to wave during

appropriate musical offerings

Celebrate

Create Opportunities that connect to the community on a larger scale

Easter Egg Hunt Live Nativity Back to School Celebration Once a contact always a contact!

Connect

Create Opportunities to Care for families in the community

A group for single parents A group for kids with divorced parents Fill a need like providing school supplies

Care

Create Opportunities for families to share their gifts

Drama Dance Cooking Music Sports

Calling

Intentionality

EXAMPLE: A Group for Single Moms

◦ Meet at 6pm ( this is when our daycare ends- or on the weekend)

◦ A meal is prepared. ◦ Someone is available to help with homework

and/or a children's program is available. ◦ Quality hour of topics to support and encourage

moms so they can support and encourage their children

What mom is going to go home, fix a meal, do homework and have time to get back for a

program?

EXAMPLE: Teens Afterschool program

◦ Tutoring 3-4pm◦ Devotion and a chance share ◦ Programming : Cooking, drumming, anger

management, interviewing, sports, etc….◦ Pastor, volunteers, and staff make connections

with parent(s)

Meets a need in the community – gives a chance for youth to meet goals, share with caring adults,

and hear about Jesus!

EXAMPLE: Live Nativity

◦ Stops traffic!◦ Invite the community and our childcare families◦ Have activities that allow volunteers to talk to the

participants, share Jesus, and tell about the church

Great way to connect to the community. Live Nativities alone are a spectator sport – take it the

next level and provide time for one-on-one conversations

Pray Take your congregations pulse Get to know your community Pray for your community Map out what you can do to meet needs in

your community Pray Practice sharing Jesus with people you know Have a plan for after you make connections

Next Steps