Reaching, teaching the new generation demands new skills
The Alpha Generation, born 2010–24, are often described as “digitally-dependent” since they receive, on average, some 237 digital communications every day — primarily because they obtained a smartphone by age 10. “The whole world is speaking to their hearts, and the church is a minor, though significant, instrument speaking to them,” noted Shelly Melia of […]
VBS Live trains, prepares leaders for a summer of sharing Jesus
Patty Burns said she’s starting to see a “flood” of churches posting their Vacation Bible School dates for this summer. From her perspective as VBS strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, that’s exciting. “I pray this year our churches are standing room only as we magnify God,” Burns said. She’s encouraged by […]
Church leaders and building bridges with Generation Alpha
Members of Generation Alpha present a challenge to outreach ministries of today’s churches since their values differ from their parents’ and teachers’ generation. “Alpha are the sixth graders and younger,” Jana Magruder explained. “They’re expressive individuals whose worldview is unique, and they’re global citizens because of the internet.” Magruder, strategic initiatives director of LifeWay NextGen, […]
Does Preschool Ministry Really Matter?
Does preschool ministry really matter? Is it just babysitting so that parents can attend a class or service, or is there a greater purpose? Does what we do every week really matter? Before coming to Lifeway, I served on church staffs in Texas, Georgia, California and Tennessee. I am so thankful for these amazing opportunities […]
Children’s Discipleship Begins With Scripture Memorization, Bible Skills
Belinda Stroud introduced several childrens’ outreach options during Pinnacle Alabama, August 5–6 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center. Stroud, who is responsible for Bible Drill for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, presented Bible Drills and Skills, Families in the Word and Bible Drill in a Box. Continue reading here. This article was originally published […]
Preschool Minister Shares Tips For Laying A Strong Spiritual Foundation
Most churches want to draw more families with young children. Along with the joys of ministering to preschoolers come challenges as well. From bed babies to toddlers, three biblical foundations are crucial in preschool ministry. “Laying a foundation of love, trust and security are the most important attributes in the preschool ministry,” Beth Baldwin told […]
VBS on wheels meets people of Lowndes County where they are
Davey Lyon has a pond outside his house, and he says if he wanted fish for dinner he wouldn’t sit on the porch and expect them to hop out of the pond and onto the grill. It’s the same for his church, Imago Dei Church at the 45, into which Lyon and his family have […]
Outreach and discipleship the fruit of Vacation Bible School as numbers return to pre-pandemic levels
After Vacation Bible School is over at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise, Annette Whitton does a lot of follow-up. She doesn’t do it alone — she does it with the help of an army of volunteers. “We had about 400 to 450 kids, and 79 of those were from unchurched families,” Whitton, director of children’s […]
To all the Vacation Bible School Volunteers…THANK YOU!!
If you have had your eyes open while driving anywhere in town over the summer, you have no doubt seen the brightly colored banners, bunches of balloons, or wavy inflatable tube men inviting kids to Vacation Bible School at the local church. This is a tribute to anyone anywhere who has even been a Vacation […]
Why teaching children in your church is important
Teaching children in church is important because of two main reasons: It is biblical. Children are the church. Still, working with children can be exhausting, and sometimes you can feel unappreciated. There may be times when you are not quite sure why you are teaching children but what you are doing is glorifying God in […]