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Colleen on Youth Ministries

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:10:19 -0400

Be content to minister to those who come and others will follow in time. Our youth group has grown into its own entity: the youth have taken it over, preaching and teaching the Word, sharing testimonies, and their worship service draws ppl from all over.

Start with your dream and just keep following the Spirit; lift up Jesus, and He will draw ppl to Himself.

Do not be weary in well doing, for surely you shall reap a great harvest---a great harvest may be "only" one soul, but what a great harvest that is!

Smiles.

Colleen on 30 Hour Famine

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:26:23 -0400

Blessings, everyone. Are any of you participating in the 30 Hour Famine? I have sent for the information and enough kits for the kids in our Children's Church, trusting the Lord to give me insight as to how to adapt it for the 10 - 12 year olds. Our kids are eager to serve the Lord and we have been modifying programs aimed at "tweens" and teens for them. This will be the first experience with the Famine and all comments are so very welcome. Be blessed!

susie on Youth Ministries

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:02:24 -0400

Marilyn,

It is tough when your efforts don't seem to produce a real result. It reminds me of when our girls were in youth groups. One daughter in particular. She was obedient, faithful, kind hearted, but quiet. One youth worker noticed her and became her advocate. He upheld her for all she was in the Lord. He made her feel like she was the only one in the room of 100's. She has never wavered in her faith. I know that youth worker made a huge difference in her life, during the difficult high school years

It only takes leading the people who are sent to us, to build a youth group. That may be 5 or 6 young people. If they are well nurtured, encouraged and upheld, they can move mountains for the Lord. The parents will come if they see your faithfulness.

Bathe each meeting in prayer and trust that the Lord has sent you everyone, he wants you to lead. Trust him.

Marilynn on Youth Ministries

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:27 -0400

I am the youth director at a church that has few teenagers as members. I have planned several meetings with youth and parents, but participation was not there. If I got the youth to come the parents didn't have time. At first the youth came and as soon as they saw that their parents were not interested, they started to dwindle down from 15 members to 5 or 6 that come on a regular bases. The events I offer are not only learning events but fun as well. What am I doing wrong, and how can I convience these parents that we don't just show up for church events when we are to sing or usher.

Help, I'm sceaming inside!

Staff on Free Resources for Pastors

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:30:45 -0400

CTA's Mission Statement is to glorify God by providing purposeful products to lift up and encourage the body of Christ. Our vision is to see your Christian ministry become highly effective, so that Christ’s Kingdom is strengthened and expanded. One way we do carry out our mission and vision is to produce and provide high quality Free Resources that:

Match the theme and Scriptural message of CTA products
Enhance your gift-giving services and events with deeper spiritual impact
Save you preparation time for sermons and lessons
Give you fresh ideas to present and illustrate Scriptural truths

We often hear from our customers about how our Free Resources blessed their ministry. Here's a recent example, submitted by Sandi Snider of Stephenson, Virginia: We used the books, bags and kites as gifts for our children at out Easter Egg Hunt. I downloaded the Power Point version of the story so that we could all watch and discuss the story before they hunted. Then, each child recieved their own personal version to take home after the hunt. This format worked well for us. The kids seem to really enjoy seeing the story on the "big screen." This video features Author Tim Wesemann talking about how Pastors can benefit from CTA's Free Resources.

Jane Fryar on Easter morning and kids

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:35:15 -0500

Some churches cancel their children's program on Easter Sunday morning so that all family members can worship together. Other churches accent their children's program on Easter Sunday morning so that the children have an opportunity to hear the message of Jesus' death and resurrection in an age-appropriate way and can respond in age-appropriate worship.

What will your church do this year? Why did you make that decision?

Jane Fryar on Touching hearts or playing games?

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:32:35 -0500

Many of the Sunday schools I personally know something about--particularly those involved with children's ministry--are really struggling. Numbers are down and parents often use the class as a baby-sitting service while they themselves attend worship.

I'd love to hear your stories about churches in which children's Sunday school classes are making a real difference in the lives of real kids!

What does it take today to offer a children's Sunday morning experience that helps create a solid foundation for life?

Jane