Foundational Principles for

Children’s Ministry at Okolona Church of Christ

 

Purpose

Provide a clear conceptual foundation for our children’s ministry that will provide parameters that encourage and foster life transformation in our children.

 

Foundational Principles

God is the Reason

It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of the process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving.

1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (MSG)

 

Children Matter

Children are important and there is no ministry more important than Children’s Ministry. Children are important intrinsically and strategically.

 

Children are Spiritual

Children’s spiritual formation begins at birth. Children can be taught theological and moral concepts consistent with their developmental levels.

 

Children are Children

Children are not adults nor do they need to be. Children learn theological and moral concepts consistent with their developmental levels.

 

Parents are Primary

The primary responsibility for the nurture and development of children’s spiritual formation rests with the parents and family.

 

Church is a Support Group

The responsibility of the church is to be a supportive, godly, Bible-driven community where families will find genuine Christian faith, unchanging, readily accessible, focused on what matter to God and based on truth and love.

 

Success is Spiritual

The primary goal of children’s ministry is children’s spiritual development. The product of the goal is life transformation, life-style transitions that are demonstrated in heart, mind and soul.

 

A Comprehensive Process

Children’s ministry is systemic, long-term and evolutionary. (Deut. 6:7)

Children’s Ministry is about PLANTING AN OAK TREE

 

Measure Progress

A successful ministry is characterized by regular, consistent and comprehensive evaluation.

 

Leaders are Faith Models

Everyone involved in the spiritual development of young children …parents, leaders, teachers, workers… model God to their young minds and spirits in everything they do.

 

September 16, 2004