in Ministry
Children’s Ministry
Little people have a big place in God's heart
Little people have a big place in God’s heart and have a vital place in our movement. A key way that we support Children’s Ministries is through our Children’s 4D Ministry Network.
This network is a community of leaders of Children’s Ministries for the Baptist Churches of South Australia. We meet, connect, and share this site in order to support one another and to continually grow in the skills and practice of leading a Children’s Ministry in a local church.
Keeping our children safe
Churches should be safe places where people of all ages feel safe, and its our duty to make sure we take care of our young people.
Child Protection Resources
Click here to find out more about our collaboration with Cecil the Sheep, and how you can be involved!
Upcoming events
What’s on for children, plus trainings for pastors, leaders and teams
M&M Kids Camp 2023
Children’s Ministry Resources
Discover resources and recommendations to help develop and strengthen your children’s ministry
Invisible
COVID-19 Resources
For information on e-safety click here.
Colin Buchanan and Compassion have teamed up to provide some great FREE resources here.
SMG has some great information around wellbeing using Kimochis. Find our more here.
ABCDEF of Encouragement for Parents from Richard Black here.
Baptist Care SA have put out some resources around parenting through the pandemic. Find out more here.
COVID-19 Emerging Generations Report: some great information around the impact that COVID-19 is having on the emerging generations. Brought to you by McCrindle Research here.
Websites
Lost Sheep – Fantastic resources by our very own Andrew McDonough. There are fun resources on the site, and the stories can be downloaded for on-screen presentation (and
SA Christian Endeavour – A great website and network. In conjunction with Scripture
Children’s Ministry Network (CMN) – A collaboration of people from all denominational backgrounds who are passionate about connecting those who minister with families across Australia, to provide a platform where people can connect, support, equip and contribute to a community of awesome people who believe kids and families take up a huge part of God’s heart.
max7.org – An open source ministry resource library “helping leaders disciple children and young people”. Their statement of faith is the Lausanne Covenant.
Scripture Union Webshop – Books, curriculum, multimedia – good stuff.
Ministry To Children – “We are not a bookstore. We are not a big publishing company. We are not a paid membership site. We are simply an online resource to help you tell kids about Jesus. If your passion is reaching and teaching kids, then this blog is for you.”
GodSpace – “Aussie Bible lessons for
Christian Playtimes A NSW ministry to equip and resource your Playtime be an effective mission for your local community families. Plenty for playgroups & evangelism!
Godly Play – a Montessori method of telling Bible stories using parables, sacred stories and liturgical lessons about religious traditions using simple materials.
Barnabas in Churches – a UK site that is passionate about bringing the Bible to life for children and families. Lots of ideas and resources.
CEP (Christian Education Publications) – Australian resources produced mainly by evangelical Anglicans – lots to browse through.
UCA SA Children & Families Site – an excellent, up to date site based right here in SA.
MediaCom – These guys are ecumenical though pretty much Uniting Church. They are based in Adelaide.
Anton’s Antics – This guy (Stephen Shearsby) does one-man gospel shows for children and families, but also has DVDs and resources.
Playgroup Resources – The Uniting Church has this great page for churches that run playgroups. Scroll down for lots of ideas.
Here2Stay – Lots of great ideas and resources on faith formation for the generations.
Sermon Notes: Kids Edition – A helpful worksheet for kids to use during services.
Teaching Kids to Pray for Miracles – article from childrensministry.com
Songs
Christian Singer/Songwriters for children based in Adelaide:
Sean W Smith
Chris Jaensch
Interstate Singer/Songwriters:
We’re always looking to add to our collection of children’s songs. If you come across one that’s great, please contact us.
Curriculum
The resources below are not directly connected to us, so disclaimer: We don’t necessarily approve of everything you might find on them.
Kids Sunday School Place
A curriculum used and recommended by Aldgate Baptist: “We use them and
Bible Stories For Young Children
A resource from Coromandel Baptist right here in SA. Stories from the whole Bible and accompanying notes for teachers. Useful for Sunday Schools,
Big Truths for Young Hearts (Years 5&6)
Robyn from Narwee Baptist in NSW has developed a
GodSpace (4-12 year-olds)
This is a resource developed by the New South Wales Baptists. Aussie Bible lessons for 4-12 year-olds. Lesson materials are being used enthusiastically in a number of different settings. These include joint denominational SRE teams in NSW government schools, RI classes in Queensland and CRE teams in the ACT and Christian schools all around Australia. Others who have found GodSpace works well for them are church kids’ groups, multicultural kids’ clubs found in every Australian state and major territory as well as churches in New Zealand and other countries. Explore
Orange
Used by several of our churches whatisorange.org A very comprehensive curriculum that has parental through-the-week involvement as a focus. Says Lorinda from Aldgate: “$600ish/annum You have to purchase before you can see much but lots of things included…TV for parents to watch at home and discuss the weeks topic”
Open.Life.Church
Some great free resources to check out here!
Missional Resources
Recommended Reading
Post Modern Children’s Ministry – Ministry to Children in the 21st Century (Ivy Beckwith)
Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions – Why Children Should be your Church’s #1 Priority (George Barna)
Party on Together – Multi-Age Worship Resources and Bible Studies (Beth Barnett)
Collide – Exploring Intergenerational Ministry (Tammy Tolman)
Kids Bibles:
The Jesus Storybook Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones)
Parenting Resources
Chat Matters placemat resource by Here2Stay. Click here.
Child and Adolescent Psychologist Kirrilee Smout comes highly recommended. Click here.
Parent Cue App – designed to help every parent do something each week to help move their child towards a deeper faith and a better future.
Additional Needs
Lent and Easter
The resources below are not directly connected to us, so disclaimer: We don’t necessarily approve of everything you might find on them.
Easter Plus Blog
EasterPlus Blog includes Easter resources, ideas, reflections, Easter activities, children’s programs, worship ideas
Love Life Live Lent
Love Life Live Lent book and booklets contain over 40 simple things to do during Lent: one action for each day. These actions help us to transform our world – locally, nationally and globally. Separate booklets for kids and youth/adults. Explore
Advent and Christmas
The resources below are not directly connected to us, so disclaimer: We don’t necessarily approve of everything you might find on them.
Advent in 2 Minutes
A great little video posted on YouTube by BustedHalo explaining what Advent is. Grab it here
Advent & Christmas Ideas on Pinterest
By Mary Hawes Explore
Why Christmas
A fun site with all kinds of facts and interesting bits! By James Cooper Explore
5 Printable and Free Christmas Resources for Children
From the Ministry-to-Children website (USA) Explore
The History of the Christmas Tree
Explore
Christmas Celebrations Around the World
Suggested by Mary Johnson from the other side of the world,
Truth in the Tinsel
Experience the Christmas Story during December using this great resource. Each day it will lead you through a passage of Scripture, a corrsponding ornament craft and talking points for you and your kids. Explore
Some great video resources for Chrismas services:
The Christmas Story (St Paul’s Auckland)
An Unexpected Christmas (St Paul’s Auckland)
When God was Born (St Paul’s Auckland)
Christmas According to Kids (Southland Christian Church)