Cultivating a Cultivating a Cutting-Edge Cutting-Edge Children’s Children’s ChurchChurchSession led by:Dick Gruber & Jason Rhode

cmuo.com/workshops/kidschurch

What is Cutting Edge?What is Cutting Edge?

•Relational

•Age-level appropriate

•Inclusive

•Spiritual

•Exciting

Read article at dickgruber.com/blog

Session OutlineSession Outline

1) Bible Basis

2) Brotherhood

3) Building Better Believers

4) Body Ministry

5) Break

6) Babysitting

7) Balance

8) Blessings

9) Basics

Bible BasisBible Basis

• Judges 2:10

• Psalms 8:2

• Joshua 8:35

BrotherhoodBrotherhood

•Meet with God & meet with each other• Everybody active in the Body• Newcomers welcome• Unity in the Body• Every saint a partici-paint

Building Better BelieversBuilding Better Believers

• Preparing children for “adult” worship

• Preparing children to be active members of the Body

• Preparing workers for leadership• Preparing the congregation for

young dynamos• Preparing children for meaningful

transition

The cutting-edge children’s church should be…

Ideas for TransitionIdeas for Transition

• Youth band

• YP preaches

• Graduation Sunday

• Ministry training

• Utilize method and form used by youth and adults

• Pray for graduates

• Encourage pre-graduation visits

Body MinistryBody Ministry

•Prayer

•Administration

•Service

•Teaching

Let’s Take a Break!Let’s Take a Break!

We’ll continue in a few minutes…

Babysitting?Babysitting?

• Country Club Christians•Out of sight, out of mind• Never visit

What causes this belief?

Babysitting?Babysitting?

•Meet the Saint!• Invite parents• Be there

How can we avoid this kind of belief?

BalanceBalance

• Worship• Giving• Preaching• Prayer

WorshipWorship

• Slow music as they enter•Open with rules, prayer, theme• Fast choruses first (unity)• Then slow it down (PB & J)• Listen to God (testify)• You are God’s leader

GivingGiving

• Talents

• Treasure

• Time

Teach the 3 T’s

PreachingPreaching

• Christ-centered• Let kids help•Overcome temptation• Curriculum?• Keepers (Bible Story,

Scripture)

Preparation BasicsPreparation Basics

• Topic Planner• Service Skeleton• Service Outline• Sermon Planner

Go with the FLOWGo with the FLOW

• Foundational truth• Lessons throughout•Opportunities for

application and response

•Wrap-up and take it home

Using TechnologyUsing Technology

• Don’t over-do it!• Reinforce, don’t

distract• Have a “Plan B”

• Why?• Just because

you can, doesn’t mean you should

How to Preach a How to Preach a Children’s SermonChildren’s Sermon

• State your theme• Scripture support• Someone to help you• Say what you mean• Some it up• Seek the Savior

PrayerPrayer

• Variety is importance• Answers (yes, no, wait, maybe)

• Listen to God• Unified response• Expect miracles

Final CommentsFinal Comments

• Pray!• Get organized• Plan ahead• Use your “think

time”• Think it through• What’s hot? What’s

not?

• Build a team• Engage the kids• Involve the kids• Talk to them, not

down at them• Keep your eyes &

ears open• Themes & series

help build momentum

BlessingsBlessings

You can have a cutting-edge service!You can have a cutting-edge service!

Q&AQ&A

• What final questions do you have?

Let’s Pray!Let’s Pray!

More ResourcesMore Resources

• cmuo.com

• childrensministryarchive.com

• childrensministrytalk.com

• childrensministryinsights.com

• dickgruber.com

cmuo.com/workshops/kidschurch