Mission Statement. Integration We integrate children into the life of the whole church including worship, missions and fellowship.

Transcription

1 Mission Statement The Children s Ministry exists to love, teach and inspire local children in order that they and their families will love God, lead like Christ and confidently live the Christian faith. Love, Lead, Live Values Welcoming Ministry We seek to develop a ministry that is responsive to children who have varying degrees of church experience and come from diverse populations in the community. Community We desire to foster Christian relationships that are integral to children s ministry between children of like ages and across all ages and generations. Integration We integrate children into the life of the whole church including worship, missions and fellowship. Engagement We engage children by appealing to various learning styles in order to develop and deepen their Christian faith. Intentional Christian Discipleship We provide consistent, connected, Biblically based programming for children, birth 5 th grade, that prepares them for a life of living out the Christian faith. Service We equip and enable children to serve and reach others in Christ s name. Communication We provide communication that enables the children, their families and the whole church community to fulfill its common mission. Three Year Goals PROGRAMMING

2 1) All children s ministry programs have been annually evaluated prior to fall roll out in terms of their alignment to and accomplishment of the Children s Ministry mission, vision, values and goals, and recommendations embraced to further enhance such alignment. 1) A Children s Programs Evaluation Task Force has been formed and meetings held over the summer to evaluate each current Children s Ministry program and make recommendations regarding the alignment of each program to the Children s Ministry mission, vision, values and goals. 2) The Children s Ministry Vision Team has reconvened following the study completed by the Programs Evaluation Task Force to discuss, engage and implement recommendations from this task force. 3) A specific purpose(s) and goal(s) have been identified and communicated regarding the function of each children s ministry program. 4) Ongoing and frequent opportunities for participant and parent feedback regarding Children s Ministry programs have been made available. 2) A well defined scope & sequence for the Christian education of children has been defined and a system established for annually evaluating results. 1) A discipleship pathway and curriculum retreat has been held, resulting in the development of a clear scope and sequence for the children s ministry. 3) 75% of children who participated in Spark have become active in TNT and 75% of graduated 5 th grade SS participants have become active in the Youth Ministry. 1) 30% of all children attending Spark have transitioned into TNT and 30% of all 5 th graders participating in Sunday morning children s ministry activities have transitioned into the middle school ministry.

3 4) 75% of all parents with children engaged weekly in one or more children s ministry programs have been equipped as spiritual leaders in their home and 100% of all parents have been encouraged, equipped and inspired so that their children become worshippers of Jesus and engage the appropriate place within FPCGE for expressing that worship. 1) Two special events have been held throughout the year to support and assist parents in becoming spiritual leaders for their children. At least 25% of all parents with children engaged weekly have participated in one of these events. 2) A series of messages have been preached on the subject of children engaging in worship that gives permission to and empowers parents to teach and engage their children in worship practices. 5) Rites of Passage initiatives have been established and implemented at every transition point within the Children s and Youth Ministry, resulting in a 90% retention rate of all children and youth into the next ministry program. 1) A specific strategy for a rite of passage from 5 th grade to junior high ministry has been developed and launched. 6) 100% of FPC s active church community has been involved in key events, fellowship and service opportunities as a result of the renewed initiatives in Children s Ministry. 1) Two Children s Ministry key events, fellowship and/or service opportunities were held that involved in 50% of FPC s active church community. COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP: Volunteers:

4 1) 75% of volunteers that served in the previous year eagerly volunteer for the upcoming year eventually resulting in 200 volunteers that are trained, equipped and supported to serve in the Children s Ministry. 1) An intentional recruiting plan has created an abundance of volunteers and the need for a waiting list for key volunteer positions, resulting in 20 new volunteers for serving in positions that match their skills and talents. 2) The number of volunteers needed to serve in the Children s Ministry has been determined and a database created of current and potential volunteers. 3) A yearly plan for training and supporting all volunteers, parents and staff has been developed and implemented with 60 participants. Staffing: 1) A staffing model is developed and funded that supports the ongoing growth in Children s Ministry at the rate of 1 full time equivalent staff position for every 75 kids active in children s ministry Benchmark: 1) An interim Children s Ministry Director has been hired to maintain current programming and assist with the transition to a permanent structure. 2) The equivalent of 1 full time staff is serving in the FPC Children s Ministry. INREACH AND OUTREACH: 1) A system has been established to effectively share and promote the vision for the Children s Ministry and launch each new Children s Ministry year. 1) An intentional, family based, incredibly fun Fall Kickoff event has been held to launch the children s ministry in the fall of 2012.

5 2) A comprehensive system has been implemented to effectively welcome all children into ministry, provide for their safety while participating in Children s Ministry functions, and instill confidence in parents that the FPC Children s Ministry has a reputation for excellence at every level. 1) All current Children s Ministry programs have taught a one week lesson to children on how to be accepting and loving of all other children. 2) A Children s Directory, a 12 Month Calendar, volunteer matriculation processes, Major Event Notebooks, and Preventative Maintenance Calendar have been developed. 3) Creative solutions have been implemented that allowed all new volunteers to experience the Child Protection training. 4) A program wide policy and procedure regarding safe arrival and dismissal guidelines have been developed, communicated and implemented. 5) A church wide tracking system that allows for cross referencing, evaluation, follow up and recommendations for future programming has been created and implemented. 3) 30 new families without a previous church home have become active and engaged in FPC as a result of their children participating in the FPC Children s Ministry. 1) 10 families without a church home were first time attenders at an FPC Children s Ministry event or program. 2) 6 of the 10 families that were first time visitors have begun participating in the greater life and ministry of FPC. INTEGRATION: 1) A strategic process for helping children become a more integral and visible part of the whole church has been developed, weaving the Children s Ministry into the fabric of the entire church and resulting in 10 strategic places where children are serving and leading.

6 1) Two Sunday morning worship services have been designated to specifically highlight and bring visibility to the Children s Ministry, providing opportunities for children to tell their stories, serve in various roles and make connections with older generations within FPC. 2) A bridge has been built between Spark and Sunday morning by including opportunities for Spark electives to showcase their efforts in worship and by inviting congregation members to engage their unique talents as Spark leaders. SERVICE AND MISSIONS: 1) An intergenerational and comprehensive service and mission plan has been developed to foster anticipation and participation within children for serving others in the name of Christ. 1) Two to three age appropriate mission and service opportunities have been presented to children at the beginning of the school year and each group has determined one mission or service emphasis for the year. 2) Each group has completed a mission or service project and has had an opportunity to share their efforts and celebrate with the congregation. COMMUNICATION: 1) 100% of all parents and congregational members receive weekly communication about the Children s Ministry, creating points of contact and celebration, resulting in increased energy, excitement, and anticipation surrounding the Children s Ministry. 1) A communication plan has been developed and utilized in order to inform and engage parents, volunteers, staff and the congregation. 2) Children s ministry has communicated the times, events and schedules of children s ministry programs on a weekly basis utilizing at least 3 forms of communication ( , weekly handout, announcements, etc). 3) Children s ministry calendar for the school year has been printed and distributed at the Fall kick off event.

7 FACILITIES 1) Facilities needs for the growth and development of the Children s Ministry has become part of the Children s Ministry Vision Team s discussion, resulting in proactive, revolving three year recommendations that are embraced for maximum utilization and supporting future program needs. 1) The interim Children s Ministry Director and the Children s Ministry Renovation Chairperson have met to discuss facilities needs for the program year and communicated such needs to appropriate teams/committees responsible for facilities.