Engage
We need to ENGAGE children.
We will engage children in the Gospel message through a kaleidoscope of appropriate, creative, colourful, multi-sensory, multi-learning, multi-age approaches that result in thoughtful and/or heart-felt responses to the Word of God.
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- Date
- July 13, 2021
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- November 18, 2014
Culture: It is what it is!
Sometimes there is no changing culture and besides, it’s not all that bad! Is it?
There is a fine line between helpful and unhelpful culture. The art of prayerful discernment together with reflecting on our heritage as well as on future needs is an important process. It takes time. Too rushed and the danger is we ‘throw the baby out with the bath water’.ARTICLE: Series: First 20 minutes #04 Culture: It is what it is!
- Date
- October 22, 2014
It’s all about the first 20 minutes
Are children engaged in the celebration of worship or are they just waiting to leave?
We would love to see children standing with us in our gatherings in 5, 10 and 15 years time. The first part of this is having a vision. Then we look around at children and wonder if they are engaged by anything that’s happening. We can do more to help children be present with us.ARTICLE: Series: First 20 Minutes #01
- Date
- November 5, 2014
Growing a vision helps
Vision, hopes and dreams are important but it’s not enough if it’s all you have.
One can aspire to be the tall, straight-kicking, muscled forward of a championship team but without passion and skill you can dream all you want but it won’t get you there. But it does begin with vision!ARTICLE: Series: First 20 minutes 02
- Date
- November 6, 2014
What works?
Develop a coffee-shop-footy-family-christmas-party mentality.
Raising a child at the feet of the culture you would love to see him adopt is part of the answer to helping a child last the distance. Children are usually more attentive to the things going on around them than we give them credit for.ARTICLE: Series: First 20 minutes #03
- Date
- August 24, 2014
Belonging is key
Children will stay longer and own their faith to deeper levels if they sense they belong.
We want our kids to stay and be part of our church. We don't want them to leave. In order to reduce the risk of this happening one of the keys is to help children sense they belong.ARTICLE: Series: Belonging is key! #01
- Date
- August 29, 2014
Factors in belonging
Factors affecting a sense of belonging need to be explored in order to foster belonging.
These factors, once understood, need to be applied to help each child sense he belongs so he may remain fixed to his own faith and faith community even in the tough but faith forming times of questioning and transition. We would all love children to stay and not leave!ARTICLE: Series: Factors in belonging #00
- Date
- September 2, 2014
Safety and trust.
A child will more easily sense they belong when they sense they are safe.
Providing a place that is a safe environment and where safe relationships and programs are not only encouraged and taught but insisted upon will provide a setting where a child may sense that this is somewhere he is safe.FACTOR: Series: Factors in belonging: #01
- Date
- September 3, 2014
Connectedness & communication
Informal and formal ways of connecting with children is a building block of belonging.
How we greet, speak and listen to one another helps us to connect and to sense whether or not we belong. It’s not just about the initial vitally important welcome we receive. It is also the ongoing welcome and effective, respectful communication that keeps us sensing we belong.FACTOR: Series: Factors in belonging #02
Related stories & ideas
ENGAGE … what have we seen or heard of or tried?
Discover what works for others that may work in your context too.
Even share your own stories or ideas with others and make a difference in their lives.