Children's Ministry Seminar Sessions
2021 Sessions

So Many Books, So Little Time: A Conversation about Important Reading for Children’s Ministers - Dr. Ron Bruner

Over the last two decades, the number of important books about children and spirituality has blossomed. It is difficult (and expensive!) to own them all, much less read them. In this session, we will have a conversation about the more significant books that children’s ministers ought to use in their ministry and consider other books that cover specific topics.

Creative Teaching: Extra Ordinary Classes - Trevon Buchanan

Do you ever feel like everyone else has more talents and creativity than you? If so, then this class is for you. We will focus on teaching scriptures and applications that will stick with your children long after the class is over. Learn how to incorporate your own creative skills into your classes. Through object lessons, art, bible journaling, presentations and more, your kids can learn lessons and not just hear them.

Creative Teaching: VBS, Puppets and More - Trevon Buchanan

Anyone who works in children’s ministry will be asked to do something(s) that are not class related. VBS, Bible Bowl, LTC, Lads to Leaders and the list goes on. Why limit yourself to boxes and kits? Take your own brand of creativity and make these activities next-level great. Hands-on ideas and suggestions in this class will give you a starting point for your next activity.

I See God in Everything - Trevon Buchanan

We will learn some deep and spiritual lessons through games and everyday objects. We will learn how to see God in the everyday. God is trying to show us that He is in everything.

God’s Unfailing Love? - Trevon Buchanan

Discussion class on what God’s love is. We will explore love in the world vs love in God. By getting a clearer understanding of love, we can teach our kids about healthy love. We will answer these questions.

- What is Love?

- How is it unfailing?

- What does Love give and receive?

- What do we do with it?

How to Rejuvenate YOUR Bible Reading – Keith Ferrin

Do you feel like you “should” read the Bible more, “should” be more consistent and “should” enjoy it more? Do you struggle with your mind wandering when you read the Bible? Could your time in the Word use a jumpstart (or a major overhaul)? If so, this workshop will look at both the mindset and the practical tips for making the shift from “should” to “want.” After 25 years of living in the “should” camp, Keith Ferrin has now spent the last 25 helping individuals, families, churches and schools read, study and ENJOY God’s Word.

Principles for Helping the Next Generation Connect with God’s Word – Keith Ferrin

We all want our kids to move beyond “belief” to true engagement with the Bible. But how? We’ll explore five immediately practical principles for helping our kids engage with and enjoy God’s Word!

How to Internalize, Not Just Memorize, the Bible - Keith Ferrin

The goal should always be to know the Word…not just know the words. We’ll look at the mindset and the method for knowing the Word AND learning the words so you can meditate on it and it can transform your heart, mind, and life!

Living Your Identity: A Journey Through Ephesians - Keith Ferrin

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the most talked about, written about and preached on books in the New Testament. Did you know the whole letter lays out a process for lasting change? Lasting change for the next generation. Lasting change for YOU! And it all starts with your identity.

Discipline and Trauma - Heidi Hensley

More and more, leaders are becoming frustrated with the challenges of discipline during ministry time. However many leaders are relying on old strategies without factoring in the newness of the world we live in. Trauma is not a word that was often used in this subject, but now more than ever we are facing a trauma induced world with our children. Come learn the most common sources of trauma, how they affect behavior and how to best respond.

Discovering and Developing Spiritual Gifts in Children - Heidi Hensley

We often hear kids leaders say “salvation knows no age," and while many kids come to salvation very young, we don’t allow them to begin to be part of the functional body until they are older. Rather than wait for kids to “grow up” we will look at how you can help kids understand how God has designed them, how to use their gifts and how to create opportunities for them to actively serve in kids ministry.

How to Recruit, Train and Keep Your Volunteers! - Heidi Hensley

There is an art to maintaining a full, vibrant volunteer team, or it it just a very intentional formula? In this session we will look at the full cycle of managing volunteers and discover ways to continually improve the atmosphere and experience of those who serve in your ministry.

Lead the Way God Designed You - Heidi Hensley

While this session is heavily regarding women in ministry, it applies to everyone. We all have built the ideal ministry leader in our minds and attempt to force ourselves into that mold. Rather than taking this approach, come learn how to lead through your strengths as well as discovering where you are most gifted.

Training Up a Family - Heidi Hensley

Research tells us that there are more and more families coming to church that have parents with little to no faith background. In order to effectively engage these children, we must equip the parents to disciple their children well. This “family ministry” breakout focuses on the fact that Children’s Ministry is actually family ministry when done right.

Your Ministry, Through the Eyes of a New Believer - Heidi Hensley

In this session we will remind ourselves to encounter church the way a new family does. Come learn how to constantly be observing the parts of your ministry that often become invisible to leaders, how to measure improvement and how to engage the new believer as they enter your congregation.

"Learning to Listen" Ministering to the LGBTQ+ Community - Kelsey Herndon & Chris Rosser

How do we welcome everyone to the table of the Lord as Christ has welcomed us, and love our neighbors and our sisters and brothers in Christ who identify as LGBTQ+, along with their children? This class will help you better understand the struggle and discuss some ideas on how to move forward.

How Do We Help This Kid? Creating Inclusion in your Congregation - Jill Jones & Stephanie Langley

Memorial Road Church of Christ encourages families of children with all abilities to attend Bible class, Bible hour and worship time. Learn about our buddy system used during Bible class and Bible hour. You will also hear how our sensory room provides a safe place for children and families to spend time during worship together. We will offer suggestions about how to create a sensory room as well as what to include in sensory bags that can be used in the auditorium during worship.

Beyond Bible Class: Special Events - Jill Jones & Stephanie Langley

Let’s step outside of Bible class and engage our children in formative spiritual experiences. Come and listen how to plan and execute various activities that are alternatives to a traditional VBS and share ideas for one day parent-child events.

Special Needs Ministry: Helps for Training Volunteers and Encouraging Families Affected by Special Needs - Deborah Price

Deborah, a mother of a teenage son with autism, will be sharing her personal journey raising a son with autism as well as practical helps for those ministering to children, youth and families affected by autism. She will share how her church family came alongside them and how to replicate the strategies they used to train volunteers so that their family could remain involved in the life of the church and her son could be a part of that.

Children’s Ministry and Digital Technology - Andrea Rieger

In a digitally saturated world, using technology to engage children, their families and ministry volunteers is a vital tool in Children’s Ministry. This session will discuss methods that can effectively reach families and inform them about your ministry and ways to wisely use technology in Bible class. Since technology is literally everywhere, we will also discuss how to empower families confronted with the challenges of parenting in a tech-culture and discern its proper place with intention and care.