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This book offers practical insights and proven strategies for fostering a flourishing church community by transforming churches through effective family and kids ministry leadership.
Changing Lives covers everything you need to know about working with children and families - the why to, the how to, the when to and the where to.
Mark Griffiths examines the history, theology and practice of children's ministry and shares the wisdom he has gained from many years' experience of leading hundreds of groups, assemblies and youth services. In practical chapters, backed with sample resources, he shows how to communicate with children in the brave new postmodern world of church, school and community.
This one stop resource covers everything from the vision for children's work to matters such as record keeping, home visits, timetables, child protection legislation and templates for lessons.
Contents
Acknowledgments 10
Foreword by Bill Wilson 11
A Word from the Author 12
Introduction
This is What it is All About 14
The Eighteenth Century was Drawing to a Close 18
A Brave New World 20
Ministering in a Postmodern Culture is Not as New as You May Think 21
We’re Called to Preach Awe, Wonder and Mystery. The age of Information is Passing! 26
SECTION 1 – Children’s Ministry in Four Dimensions 38
The First Dimension – Bah’ith 40
The Second Dimension – Mish-paw-khaw 50
The Challenge of Intergenerational Worship 53
Lost in Transition – Jo Foster 61
The Third Dimension – Child Evangelism 67
Robert Raikes Legacy 70
The Raikes Elements 73
A Case Study: Messy Church in Practice – Rachel Hill-Brown 118
A Three-Dimensional Conclusion 124
The Fourth Dimension – You’re It! 126
None Greater 127
Did I Mention You’re it! 130
What Do You See? 136
There’s Only One Real Key 146
SECTION 2 – Communication 152
Learning A New Language 153
The Best Way to Communicate – The Art of the Story 160
Telling Real Bible Stories – Samuel Returned to Ramah 171
Salvation and Gifts from God 177
SECTION 3 – A Few Misconceptions 186
Let’s Take a Break and Barbecue Some Sacred Cows 187
SECTION 4 – Practical Help 196
Safeguarding – Lisa Macbeth 197
The Beginner’s Guide 204
The Timetable for the First Two Years 205
Timetable for a Normal Year 211
Timetable for the Southern Hemisphere – by Alison Champness 212
Timetable for a Normal Year (Southern Hemisphere) 216
The Children’s Club 217
The People 217
The Programme 219
The Extra Stuff – Appendix 234
Sample Letter for Schools 235
Five-Year Planner 237
Sample Leaflet 238
Children’s Club Colouring Competition 239
Lesson Format Template 240
Sample Lesson from Impact – Mark Griffiths 241
Recommended Resources 248