Jan2023
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT – Grow Kids
Grow Kids is a new resource designed to help you as you help to ‘grow kids’ in knowing Jesus and responding to his love through worship and service. Designed as a teaching curriculum, Grow Kids offers opportunities to tailor sessions to suit your audience. Menu items will help to provide your group with the best… Read more
Jan2023
Welcoming children and families
How can we support our church communities and families to pass on the faith to children? Consider some of the following ideas for your congregation: Names are special Learn the names of the children and call them by name. Introduce them to other children and families by name. Wear name tags so the children and… Read more
Oct2022
The Christmas X-factor
In mathematics, X is used to represent an unknown value. The value of X depends on its place in a particular equation. For mathematicians, working with X in abstract algorithms is a common occurrence. For young children, the concept is too complex. It makes no sense to take X out of the alphabet and use… Read more
Aug2022
Bringing God into every day life through conversations
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT – TALK TIME CARDS Children and young people need to hear the stories of faith from their fathers, mothers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, neighbours, and friends. Adults also need to hear the stories of those younger than themselves. Designed to provide opportunities for parents and other adults to have conversations with children about God’s… Read more
Jul2022
Caring for our young people during the tough times
It can feel really awkward relating to young people going through tough times. Often they feel very lonely because people avoid them ‘not wanting to interfere or meddle.’ Can you imagine what happens when everyone takes this view? No-one engages the young people in their pain! They often have some questions about what is going… Read more
Jul2022
Helping young people belong
When Grow Ministries began we developed ten guiding principles. They help to guide our efforts in creating effective practices that support our ministry to children, young people and their families. We refer to this as intergenerational ministry, as it requires the efforts of all generations and brings benefits to all generations. Do not be overwhelmed… Read more
Jun2022
Encouraging the faith of my teen through camp ministry
Camp, where God meets you, stretches and inspires you and transformation happens. Where faith is deepened through the mixture of meeting new people, hanging out with inspiring leaders who have a vibrant faith and living in a community with each other. Camp is a place where the presence of God can be felt in a… Read more
Jun2022
Biblical foundation for peer relationships
Faith formation is encouraged by building Christian relationships through quality age-specific ministry. God loves to speak into our lives. How might you create space to be with God and receive encouragement and strength as He speaks to you? Think about a Christian friend who encouraged you. What did they do that was significant? Can you… Read more
Jun2022
Encouraging peer relationships
Establishing an intergenerational community does not mean eradicating age-specific ministries. As important as it is to embrace intergenerational values, it is also important to keep that in balance with age-specific ministry. Research shows that age-specific ministry has not proven sustainable for ongoing faith transmission. This is particularly applicable among young adults who have grown up exclusively… Read more
Jun2022
Helpful tips for after camp
In many LCA districts around the nation mid-year Christian Life Weeks have begun or are about to , involving many campers, leaders and volunteers. As we’ve travelled around Australia to different congregations and certainly in our own experiences mentoring the young people in our congregations, often there is a “what happens after camp?” question.