Description
As churches, how can we best nurture children’s faith? It’s such a crucial time – the majority of believers come to faith under the age of 19.1 Yet only 50% of children who grow up in a Christian family keep their faith into adulthood.2
This booklet and the accompanying resources contain flexible coaching material to help churches review and develop their children and family ministry. It includes development tools, thought-provoking content, discussion questions and a journey map, together with online access to video material presented by Andy Frost, and downloadable resources.
The material is designed to help church leaders structure conversations with their leadership teams and church communities, and to identify how they can partner with parents to nurture faith. Based around the three questions ‘why, what and how’, topics explored include:
- Three myths of children’s ministry
- Identifying small changes you could make
- Getting the whole church on board
- Seven values that help children thrive in faith
- Achievable, practical tips for moving forward
Sessions include:
- Getting started: Why is it important to partner with parents and carers?
- Journeying together: What does your children and family ministry currently look like?
- Moving forwards: How can we develop a whole church culture of children and family ministry?
[1] 72% of UK Christians surveyed said they came to faith before the age of 19 (Faith Journeys, Christian Research, 2010)
[2] Voas and Wyatt, The Church Growth Research Programme Report
'This resource follows what I've come to expect from Care for the Family. Easy to follow, adaptable, thoughtful, and most of all – it actually helps. It's not the superhero though: you and your ministry team are the heroes without capes. What we have here is a guide. A path to pursue that will enable you to equip families in your church to follow Jesus together.’
About Andy Frost
Andy is the Director of Share Jesus International and heads up the London Mission Collective. He is a popular speaker and author of books including 52 Faith Adventures for Dads and Their Kids and Raising Faith. He has an MA in Applied Theology. Andy is married to Jo and they have two young daughters.