Children’s Ministry Resources

This includes resources we have gathered from PCA churches across the country and resources our Children’s Ministry Team have developed to strengthen your church.

If you have a resource you would be willing to share or a resource you would like us to develop, we want to hear from you. Email us.

Creating a Children’s Ministry…

Children’s Ministry 101 is an excellent resource for those needing information about Children’s Ministry.

Children’s Ministry 101: A Covenantal Approach to Next-Generation Ministry

Based on the work of John Kwasny, PCA

Children’s ministry is different than childcare. It’s partnering with parents. It’s modeling the joy of our faith and shepherding the hearts of little ones, who desperately need Jesus. It’s founded in a rich theology, and it’s growing the next generation of the leaders of the church. Children’s Ministry is a high calling, so, where do you start? It can be daunting!

Children’s Ministry 101 is a resource for those new to ministering to children and even those with years of experience. Foundational and practical, the 18 lessons will equip you with a covenantal philosophy for ministering to children and walk you through how to apply the theory to your church’s unique needs. With real life examples, recommended resources, and how-to’s from the ground up to help you grow your church’s ministry.

Topics include:

  • Where to begin
  • How to set your mission
  • Choosing curriculum
  • Teaching with passion and purpose
  • Serving and protecting all children
  • Training worshippers
  • Grounding ministry with compassion
  • Relating to leadership

We hope you will find helpful information from these sample Philosophy of Ministry statements:

Sample Mission and Vision Statement:

Below are sample job descriptions submitted to CDM:

Child Protection and Safety…

Disclaimer:  The resources and ministries on this page are not comprehensive or an affiliate of CDM. Our goal is to connect you to resources that may be helpful, but CDM is not endorsing any of these organizations.

“Child Protection in the PCA”

All church leaders should become informed and take an active stance toward preventing child sexual abuse in the church by screening staff and volunteers, training them in child protection, and actively maintaining child protection policies pertaining to our obligations to love our children and protect their rightful interests as God’s image-bearers from the devastating actions of abusers. (Matthew 18:5-6)

From Overture 6 – Georgia Foothills Presbytery

BOOKS:

Child Safeguarding Policy Guide by Basyle Tchividjian

Safe Kids: Policies and Procedures for Protecting Children in the Church by Blake Caldwell

Preventing Child Abuse by Beth A Swagman (Helps churches and nonprofit organizations develop policies and procedures to protect children and youth.)

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Adults Protecting Children, Inc. gives parents and organizations the tools they need to protect children from sexual abuse. They also equip adults to know how to recognize the signs of abuse and empower them to react responsibly to a disclosure, discovery or a suspicion of abuse.

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA, has developed a thorough system and set of resources to protect children in their church. In addition, they have provided various forms for everything from a children’s ministry volunteer application and youth ministry staff applications, to a background check waiver. They have generously allowed us to share their resources with you. Check out their many resources here.

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance provides an Online library of safety and risk management materials created especially for churches and related ministries. The website has articles, checklists, guidebooks and tools, publications, sample forms, and training.

MinistrySafe equips churches to implement the 5-Part Safety System through a simple online dashboard. Resources include online training, sample screening forms, sample policies, background checks, tools for monitoring and oversight, and access to expert legal advice. Discounted pricing offered to PCA churches.

BACKGROUND SEARCH ORGANIZATIONS:

ADPEmployee Background Checks and Pre-employment Screening from ADP provides the tools and expertise to quickly and accurately assess candidates.

Checkr Checkr provides companies and organizations with a way to order compliant background checks. With Checkr, your church can verify the history of your staff and volunteers and take steps towards ensuring the safety of your congregation.

MinistrySafe provides seven levels of background checks in a simple online dashboard, with discounted pricing offered to PCA churches. Customization and price match services are available, as well as access to expert legal advice.

Protect My Ministryoffers complete background check and volunteer screening services for churches. Used by General Assembly.

USAFact Reliable, accurate and affordable background checks, drug testing, tenant screening and loan origination services.

Child Protection Policies:

Child Safety:

Discipline:

For some ideas on Discipline, we have included a resource, Classroom Discipline Made Easy by Barbara Bolton; Standard Publishing.

Resources For…

Advent Resources

Listen as Dr. John Kwasny reads a devotional from Learn it. Love it. Live it. Teach it!

Easter Resources

Resources for Children Living on Mission including:

INFORMATION ABOUT A CDM PARENTING CONFERENCE

INFORMATION ABOUT A CDM MARRIAGE CONFERENCE

ARTICLES & BOOKS ABOUT FAMILY WORSHIP:

PARENTING BOOKS:

BOOKS TO GROW CHILDREN’S FAITH:

We partner with Engaging Disability With The Gospel, and you will find helpful information on their website.

Resources for Family Worship

Videos…

Below are videos on:

The information below comes in   PDF,   Word doc,   on-site articles, off-site pages or website and links to   videos. Click the title of interest to view, download and /or print or watch.