Making the most of large and small group learning
Think back to the best training experience you’ve ever had. Was it in a big room buzzing with energy and ideas? Or was it in a small circle where you had time to talk, try, and get feedback?
The size of the group strongly shapes what is possible, what works well, and what simply won’t land. Great trainers don’t fight against the size of the room—they design intentionally for it. Let’s explore the differences between training various sized groups and how to make the most of these differences.
Adapting ministry training to age and experience
The most effective ministry training pays attention not only to content but also to the age and experience level of the leaders you are equipping. Different groups learn differently, have different expectations, and respond differently.
When we recognise these differences, we can design training that genuinely serves every leader in the room—whether they are 16 and just starting out, 45 with decades of church experience or 60 and stepping into children’s ministry for the first time.
The faithful examples of two SRE teachers
As another year of SRE draws to a close, I’ve been particularly encouraged by two SRE teachers whose stories give us a glimpse into the ministry that happens in our public schools. Their examples remind us that God delights to use ordinary faithfulness for his purposes.
Five strategies to cultivate a culture of church-parent partnership
The childhood years are foundational for a young person’s spiritual development. Yet children’s ministry is too often carried out in isolation from the families to whom these children belong.
When the church and home are aligned in purpose, vision, and strategy the discipleship and spiritual formation of children flourish. So, what does meaningful partnership between the church and the home look like—both theologically and practically?
A first time for everything
Whether you’re starting out again teaching SRE to the same year group as previous years, teaching SRE for the first time or somewhere in between, be encouraged that the privilege of SRE is that we have the opportunity to be alongside young people as they engage with the Bible.
How to develop a leadership training plan
Are your children's and youth ministry leadership teams thriving in their roles, or could they benefit from a more structured approach to training?
Cam breaks down practical steps to equip your leaders with the right skills, from safe ministry practices to casting vision. Discover key strategies to ensure your leaders are growing as disciples while discipling the next generation. Whether your team is small or large, this guide will help you create a training plan that fits your context and empowers your leaders for long-term success.
Raising mission heat in kids ministry (Part 2)
In part two Cam explores some actionable strategies that you can try in your kids’ program to help raise the mission heat.
Raising mission heat in kids ministry (Part 1)
Discover how to raise the temperature for mission in your children’s ministry programs. Cam Harte shares five characteristics of kids that get mission.
Helping kids recognise and name their feelings
Helping young people grow in their emotional understanding is all part of helping them grow as embodied humans made in the image of God. Here are three ways to help young people recognise and name their emotions.
Engaging Preteens to Grow as Disciples
Our hopes and dreams for preteens is just the same as it is for all people. We want to present all people, preteens included, fully mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28). However, often we find it difficult to engage them in our church ministry groups and programs. What can we do to help engage preteens in our ministry groups?
Speaking up for Children at Church
Do children get to speak at your church’s AGM or parish council meetings? How much of a voice did the youngest at your church have the last time that a vision was a cast, a strategic plan developed, or a new ministry initiative launched?
Tailoring your SRE lessons to meet student needs
How to teach your SRE lesson in a way that allows each student to learn effectively.