Serving in Children's Ministry

TO APPLY TO SERVE IN BELIEVERS KIDS CLICK HERE

About Believers Kids

Believers Kids is the children's ministry at Believers Fellowship.

1. Our Mission

Believers Kids exists to glorify God by evangelizing children, equipping parents, and edifying servants, in order to spread the gospel among our children, support our families, and strengthen the church.

2. Our Scope

Believers Kids ministers to children from birth through fifth grade, in a loving, nurturing, age-appropriate environment.

3. Our Purpose

The ultimate purpose of all things is God's glory (Rom 11:36). Because of redemption through Christ, regenerate man is a new creature (2 Cor 5:17) with the desire and ability to please and glorify God in everything (1 Cor 10:31). Each born-again man is part of the church—the body and bride of Christ—which has been established for God's glory and is a primary means through which He is exalted (Eph 3:21) as she proclaims, defends, teaches, and embodies His truth (1 Tim 3:15). The local church manifests this reality when she embraces her commission to evangelize the lost (Matt 28:18–20)—which includes the majority of children—and to equip and encourage the saints, which includes parents. Therefore, Believers Kids’ purpose is to glorify God through proclaiming the gospel, supporting parents, and strengthening the saints.

4. Our Philosophy of Ministry

As outlined above, the philosophy of Believers Kids is threefold:

I. Evangelize Children

The Mandate

The motivation for children's ministry begins with God's command to evangelize the lost (Matt 28:18–20), which includes most children (Acts 2:39). Children's ministry is a practical feature of our church's carrying out of the Great Commission.

The Mindset

Every week, a large group of children—many of them unsaved—are delivered right to our nurseries and classrooms. As most children are unsaved, and thus dead in their sin (Rom 3:23), their greatest need is regeneration. Children can repent and believe, receiving forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and purpose in life through trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9–13). Their chief need, then, is the gospel; and thus gospel proclamation is the cornerstone of Believers Kids.

The Mission

Therefore, our target is the heart of each child. We cultivate the soil of children's hearts through sowing the seed of the gospel. This includes teaching children the fear of God, humility over weakness, penitence over sin, facts about the gospel, the story of the Bible, attributes of our triune God, and an appreciation for Christ and His redemptive work. In addition, since salvation is of the Lord, we avoid soliciting professions of salvation, but rather encourage the fruit of genuine repentance as demonstrated by a life of submission to Christ's lordship (John 15:8; Gal 5:22; Jas 2:26).

II. Equip Parents

The Mandate

Parents are mandated to be the primary evangelists and spiritual disciplers of their children (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21). This is a continuous command that is actively fulfilled by the parent while being a godly example, giving personal exhortation, and providing specific teaching for the spiritual well-being of the child.

The Mindset

Based on the household commands (Col 3:18–21) and the church's mandate to equip, edify, and encourage believers (Eph 4:12–16), the church is called to encourage and support parents in their God-given task of raising godly children. Scripture calls for strong Christian families that are growing and being shaped through the ministry of the body of Christ—the church (Eph 5–6). Therefore, Believers Kids seeks to support and enhance the spiritual vitality of the home, while being sure never to usurp the parents' roles and responsibilities as primary disciples.

The Mission

Therefore, our mission is to equip parents in their God-given roles of raising children to love Christ. We accomplish this by edifying parents with classes, Bible studies, resources, and personal shepherding. We send children home with "take homes" so parents know what their children have learned at church and can talk about it at home. We also offer high-quality childcare so parents can attend worship or fellowship groups without worrying about the safety of their children. Finally, we seek to lovingly exhort those parents who may not have fully embraced their God-given responsibility to raise their children in the Lord.

III. Edify Servants

The Mandate

The church also has the mandate to edify those who serve in the ministry (Eph 4:11–16). In Believers Kids, servants grow spiritually by exercising their spiritual gifts in service of the body, which ultimately strengthens the body (1 Cor 12:7). They learn from preparing lessons and praying through the Scriptures, praying for the children and parents and for the ministry, and explaining the Word of God to children. Furthermore, as those who commit time to Believers Kids are unable to participate in certain other church activities, the ministry is committed to providing fellowship and learning opportunities during the week. While disciplining others, it is important that the servants are themselves being discipled (2 Tim 2:2).

The Mindset

Believers Kids provides excellent opportunities for saints to sacrificially serve and grow, while strengthening the church. They can fulfill their mandate to minister, while also being ministered to.

The Mission

Therefore, our mission is to provide continual edification for our faithful servants who minister every week. We desire that they would continue to be edified, even though they are already enlisted into the ministry of the church. In order to accomplish this, we provide opportunities for growth and fellowship through shepherding, Bible studies, and enriching curriculum that takes them deeper into the Word. Our servants are thus edified as they communicate God's truth to children and to each other on a weekly basis.