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CDM’s mission is to strengthen the Church through connections. Through articles, podcasts, and resources we want to help connect you with people and tools that will help you in ministry.
Ministry to children can often feel lonely, but we hope this site will be a place that will encourage you and equip you for a lifetime of investing in the next generation. You are part of God’s covenant community and your investment in the little ones really does matter to God.
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Praying With Children
Praying With Children — Praying with children in our homes and in our churches is a special gift. It can be joyful and even funny at times. About a year ago, a mom told me about her and her husband’s experience praying with their children. This particular family is from Brazil and they regularly pray around their dinner table in Portuguese. One evening, as they bowed their heads, their four-year-old son spoke up and said, “Wait, I want to pray in English like we do at church.” He had learned the foundations of praying and was excited to pray [...]
Teach Us To Pray
Teach Us To Pray- Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 This verse introduces the Lord’s Prayer. We learn it. We teach it to our children. But do we pray it for them and with them? When we don’t know how to pray for our children, Jesus says, “When you pray, say this.” Many years ago, I found myself at a loss of how to pray for my wandering, angry son. I asked the Lord [...]
Why Prayer Matters
Why Prayer Matters— As the mother of a three-year-old and two-year-old, life is full, busy, and fast-paced. Each day I’m trying to keep up with the needs of young children, of being a pastor’s wife, of staying on top of a part-time job and other responsibilities that pull me in many different directions. At the end of last year, I noticed I was feeling more anxious than normal and the weight of life was feeling heavier. One night while doing our family devotions (that we “try” to do with our small children), we were talking about prayer with them. [...]
Making the Most of Summer
Making the Most of Summer— Spring has sprung, which means summer is around the corner. Soon, the busy hustle and bustle of the school year will make way for a more relaxed pace—more free squares on the calendar and fewer demands from school and extra-curricular activities. This “extra” time allows for more opportunities to intentionally connect with our children and families, helping them know Jesus, make memories, grow friendships, and build a sense of belonging in the church. VBS, camps, Summer Sunday School, story-times, parks and popsicles, neighborhood meet ups, water game nights, family Olympics—the ideas are endless. And [...]
His Invitation
His Invitation— The advertisement for mentors had been taped to the front of my planner for three weeks. I was a junior at the University of Alabama when I pulled into the group home parking lot. If I am honest, I left twice before ever climbing out of my car. Literally, I parked, sat, and said, “Nah, God, I have a wedding to plan, a job to find, classes to finish,” only to recircle the building. The third time, I made myself sit still before God for five full minutes. The director confessed she had an unconventional match for [...]
Ages and Stages: The Tween Years
Ages and Stages: The Tween Years— I was really proud of the Kids Ministry our congregation poured into when I was on staff as the Children’s Ministry Director. We had a robust volunteer list and always found help when we needed it. (Shocking, I know!) However, there was one hole that I was never able to fill, no matter how many people I asked, and that was the 4th and 5th grade class, or the “tweens.” For too long there was nothing at all for this group at our church. This weighed heavily on me, so when I moved [...]
The Elementary Years: Energetic and Enthusiastic!
The Elementary Years: Energetic and Enthusiastic!— You just can’t beat the hand-waving pride and enthusiasm of a 2nd grader who knows the answer and wants to be called on! Or the wide-eyed wonder of a 3rd grader when a new idea dawns on her for the first time. One morning we were reading the Acts 1 passage of Christ’s ascending into heaven, and when I read that the angel told the disciples Jesus would return, eight-year-old Austin was beside himself. “You mean He’s coming back??” If that doesn’t thrill your heart, I don’t know what will! Considering the ages [...]
Ages and Stages: Pre-School Sponges
Ages and Stages: Pre-School Sponges— “. . . but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt. 19:14). To a seasoned teacher or a new volunteer joining your team, preschoolers can be terrifying because of their energy or they can be an exciting opportunity to share about Jesus and watch them soak up the gospel, just like a sponge. Before teaching this age group, it’s really best to find out what to expect. Whichever curriculum you choose should have information specific to the preschool [...]
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