Children’s Ministry LEADERSHIP
Foundational Partnerships in Children’s Ministry
Mentoring Leaders in Children’s Ministry
Sustainable Children’s Ministry
Children’s Ministry TEACHING
Detailed Descriptions
How to teach children to love God and love others
Teaching the Whole Child in Children’s Ministry
From Boredom and Chaos to Meaningful Engagement
1-2 hour workshop
How do we teach so children will engage in the learning with their minds, bodies and hearts? How do we avoid the extremes of boredom and chaos? In this workshop we look at how to engage our students by understanding their learning styles, “intelligences,” physical needs, and emotional needs. We also look at how we as teachers can be well prepared in our teaching, how we can have consistent, effective classroom management, and how we can teach with confidence.
Classroom Discipline in Children’s Ministry
Teaching so Kids Will Listen and Grow
6-session training (6 x 1 hour)
Many children’s ministry leaders love God and love the children they teach, but they don’t feel confident managing their class. In this 6-session training, we look at 1) Discipline and Discipleship, 2) Care-Filled Planning, 3) Do’s and Don’ts, 4) Tips and Tricks, 5) Knowing and Loving Kids, and 6) Time for a Tune-Up. The sessions in this training offer interactive, informative, and practical help for anyone managing groups of children in children’s ministry.
Loving Discipline Strategies in Children’s Ministry
Loving Preparation, Consistency, and Remediation
1-2 hour condensed workshop on Classroom Discipline
How do we lovingly gain and keep the attention of kids in our children’s ministry programs? How do we show love to children who are disruptive or disobedient? In this webinar we look first at loving preparation for ministry and for discipline. Then we look at loving consistency in discipline and loving remedial discipline. When the children know our expectations and consistent love, they will more readily hear and receive God’s message through us.
How to Teach the Bible to Children
Bible Study and Lesson Preparation Strategies
5-session training
OR
1-2 hour condensed workshop
How can we prepare Bible lessons that help children discover God’s truth, understand why it is important for them, and explore how they can apply it to their lives? How can we teach in engaging, life-changing ways? In this training we look at (1) Steps in preparing a Bible lesson, 2) Discovering the timeless truth, 3) Planning the Know-Grow-Show, 4) Planning the teaching procedures, and Planning the finishing touches.
How We Learn
Exploring Personality and Learning Styles in Teaching Children
4-session training (4 x 1 hour)
What is our personality? What are our learning styles? How do we remember, concentrate, and understand? How are we smart? These four workshops help teachers understand themselves and the children they teach so they can better communicate with the children.
Teaching Children to Pray
Practical Resources for Leading Children to Become Prayer Warriors
1-2 hour workshop
How do we lead children toward becoming vibrant prayer warriors? This workshop will provide practical ideas for helping children understand and experience how God can use them to pray mighty prayers and see Him work in amazing ways. You will receive a booklet of prayer activities and will be guided through the activities so you can effectively use them with the children in your church and/or family.
Children’s Ministry LEADERSHIP
Detailed Descriptions
How to love God and lead well in children’s ministry contexts
Foundational Partnerships in Children’s Ministry
From Isolation to Interdependence
30-45 minute talk
Surrounded by both children and adults in the church, children’s workers can still feel isolated and unsupported in ministry. This workshop examines foundational partnerships that strengthen our children and family ministries – partnership with Jesus, the author and perfecter of our ministry, partnership with church ministers who support us, partnership with volunteers who serve with us, partnership with parents who nurture the children daily, and partnership with the children whom we serve.
Mentoring Leaders in Children’s Ministry
From Teaching and Telling to Guiding and Shaping
1-2 hour workshop
How do we mentor leaders in children’s ministry so they grow stronger and in turn reach out to mentor others? How do we move beyond teaching and telling to guiding and shaping? In this workshop we consider relational and professional foundations of mentoring and how to practically mentor the leaders God has given us to guide.
Sustainable Children’s Ministry
From Last-Minute Scrambling to Long-Term Solutions
1-2 hour workshop
Based on Mark DeVries’ and Annette Safstrom’s book by this title, this workshop explores foundational structures to support and build up your children’s ministry. We look at three practical “machines” necessary for every children’s ministry: a database, a calendar, and a volunteer recruiting and equipping plan. We also explore how to navigate church politics, connect with families, and balance your work and personal life.
Spirit-Filled PARENTING
Detailed Descriptions
How to guide children to love God and love others at home
Peace in the Family
Ephesians 6:1-4
30-minute talk
How do we have true peace in our families? We can have peace when children obey their parents by listening and submitting to them in the Lord and by honoring their parents under God. We can have peace when parents do not exasperate their children, but instead respond in maturity and know their children. And we can have peace when parents bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord by being authentic, by including Christ in their family routines, and by disciplining them in love.
Next Generation Mentoring
2 Timothy 1:1-8, 13
30 minute talk
OR 1 hour workshop
God is calling us to mentor the next generation – both our own children and others who become like sons and daughters to us. This means coming alongside a person who is not as far down the path of life as we are and walking with them, helping them navigate the path, and providing encouragement and support so they can in turn mentor others. The mentor’s heart truly cares, the mentor’s hands encourage growth, and the mentor’s mind focuses on role modelling, by the power of God’s Spirit.
Spiritual Formation At Home
Helping Your Children Grow in Christ
1-2 hour Workshop
What can you do at home to help your children know Jesus and follow Him with all their hearts? In this workshop we will first discuss the importance of parents’ personal commitment to God and the need for godly interaction with your children. Then we will look at practical ideas for guiding your children in their spiritual growth at home. This workshop also includes a booklet of prayer activities to use with your children as you guide them in their spiritual growth.
Invite Annette to Speak
If you would like me to speak at your upcoming meeting or program, please contact me here. I will get back to you within one or two business days.
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
– 1 John 1:3
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Annette Ford, Author & Speaker 