What are the most important things in your children’s ministry? If you had to strip away everything else, what are the indispensable elements of a faithful ministry to children? And are these the things that are given the most time and attention?

Here’s what I believe are the top three non-negotiables of any faithful children’s ministry.

Low and irregular attendance at church is a concerning trend for leaders today. As someone particularly concerned with the discipleship of children, sporadic attendance is discouraging, so we can’t ignore the impact this will have on children.

Here’s one area I think children’s ministry leaders need to consider - fostering in our young people a sense of belonging at church.

Routine isn’t boring; in fact, it makes kids’ ministry engaging and effective. From familiar games to visual schedules, predictability helps children feel confident, cooperate, and absorb new lessons without overwhelm. Leaders love it too—less stress, smoother transitions, and more time to plan and prepare for lessons!

Have you taught your kids how to share the good news with gospel beads? It’s a great way to equip young people to share their faith. It’s simple, memorable… and wearable.

In his new book, The Child in God’s Church (2025)Tim Beilharz makes the point that we are missing a bead.

With the start of a new year, here are some fresh ideas for kids spots in church gatherings. I encourage you to evaluate their suitability for your context based on your convictions about the purpose of that time.

Talking about sin can seem negative and risky, especially when kids are part of the equation. Yet it is undeniably important if we want to be faithfully teaching God’s Word and pointing young people to Jesus.

How we understand sin will impact not only how we seek to disciple young people but also how we understand ourselves. Here’s a few observations on how our theology of sin speaks into our life and ministries.

Join Annemarie on a journey into the heart of children's emotions, where frustration, anger, and sadness often run wild. Discover why it's crucial to acknowledge these feelings without judgment and how to clarify boundaries while offering support and empathy.

Where do we turn to when children are misbehaving? Read how you can respond in a godly manner.

We want kids to be learning the spiritual discipline of daily bible reading and prayer, and forming these habits that will nurture their faith for a lifetime. The question is how do we help them get started?

Ensuring to not miss out on the heart when preparing to teach the bible.

Helping young people see that SRE is not like other subjects at school. It’s about a God who is very real and wonderfully good. A God we can not only learn about but be in right relationship with, because of Jesus.

Practical steps to make your SRE lessons engaging and keeping your kids focused.

A refresher of the Module 3 training, Preparing and Delivering a Lesson (Primary).

It takes skills and confidence to manage a group of children well. These often come with experience supplemented with training and support. Here are some tips on how to grow in your management skills in children’s ministry.