Children’s ministry leaders from five Auckland churches gathered recently for a training session with Julie McKinnon, who serves nationally with CCCNZ to support children’s and family ministries.
The group explored how beliefs and understanding of who children are shape what we do practically in children’s ministry, and what it looks like to help children meet God through the Bible.
Susannah Williamson helps lead the kids’ church programme at Rossgrove Chapel in Mt Albert, and says the session was a great encouragement.
“I appreciated the reminder to consider things from a child’s perspective. I’ve grown up thinking, ‘These kids are here to learn, and I need to teach them,’ with a focus on just spouting information and hoping for the best.
“The training was a helpful reminder that, as leaders, we have an opportunity to do more than just help children learn information about God; we can help them grow as disciples. It helped me to think about different things, such as opening up space for children to learn, slowing down and listening to them, allowing questions, and helping them to wonder and consider Scripture for themselves.”
Susannah says a particularly meaningful exercise was when Julie asked each person in the group to imagine one of the children they are discipling on an empty chair in the room.
“It really helped me to think about each child individually, including each of the kids I work with, and how to really get to know them and pray for them specifically as individuals.”
This training is one of the ways CCCNZ is working with leaders in churches across New Zealand to support the gospel work they’re doing with children and their families. If you’re interested in exploring what local training could look like with your team, please get in touch with Julie McKinnon: juliemckinnon@cccnz.nz.
