The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children's Ministry Workers

by Ivy Beckwith, Tim Conder (Foreword by)

Overview

Too often, children's ministry volunteers say yes to helping out and then are confused about what to do. How do I use curriculum? What if the kids get rowdy? How do I build relationships? This valuable, easy-to-use resource will give every children's volunteer a solid foundation as they begin working in ministry. From basic ideas for getting started, practical tips on classroom management techniques, to help with understanding different age levels, everything a volunteer needs is outlined in these pages. There are also ideas for working with children with special needs, understanding the current tech-savvy generation, keeping kids safe at church, the role of a volunteer in the child's spiritual development, and ideas for self-evaluation. Every church will want a copy of this terrific guide to ensure their children's ministry volunteers get off to the right start, have a successful year, and finish their term of service with passion and enthusiasm.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441223678
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/07/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Ivy Beckwith (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the author of Postmodern Children's Ministry and has served churches of all sizes. She has worked as an editor and education consultant for Group Publishing and Gospel Light Publications. She currently serves the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut, as the Minister for Children and Families.

Table of Contents

Foreword   Tim Conder     9
Introduction     13
Before You Begin     19
How do I find out what my responsibilities are?
What time should I plan to arrive for class?
How much outside prep time should I plan for?
Why is "volunteer training" important?
What is the key to making a difference in kids' lives?
How can I be a valuable member of the children's ministry program?
How can I inspire kids to love the Bible?
What part do I play in the kids' spiritual growth and understanding?
Your First Day     33
What do I need to remember as I prepare for my first day?
How do I get to know the kids in my group?
How do I build relationships with my group outside of church?
How do I ask questions that kids will want to answer?
How do I lead a discussion with younger children?
The Scoop on Curriculum     45
What is curriculum?
I'm the only teacher in my class. How do I use this curriculum?
I'm a large-group activity leader. How do I use this curriculum?
I'm a small-group leader/shepherd. How do I use this curriculum?
How do I prepare for small-group time?
How do I prepare to lead a small-group activity center?
Learning Styles and Age-Appropriate Teaching     57
How do today's kids learn best?
What are the three learning styles and how can I teach using all of them?
How do I teach in the nursery?
How do preschoolers think and learn?
How do grade-schoolers think and learn?
How do tweens think and learn?
What do I need to know abouttechnology?
Managing the Chaos     79
How do I get and keep the kids' attention?
How do I keep my group from getting out of control?
How can I manage my group of older kids?
What do I do with a kid who just won't get with the program?
What can I do to help kids with ADHD focus on our activities?
The Home Connection     97
How can I help parents connect with what kids are learning?
What are some activities for the whole family?
How can I meet the needs of kids who come to church without parents?
How can I help kids who are in a difficult family situation?
What should I do if I suspect a kid is being abused?
The Red Tape     113
What's the deal with background checks?
What's the story behind standards of conduct for volunteers?
What should I do if I am accused of inappropriate behavior?
How can I evaluate my volunteer experience?
Conclusion: Children's Ministry Work: A High Calling     129
Reluctant Volunteers     133
Why are some people reluctant to volunteer for children's ministry?
I'm a parent. Why should I volunteer in the children's ministry?