Children's and Families' Ministers

  • Do you have a desire to nurture children's spirituality?
  • Do you seek opportunities to build relationships with those of all ages and at all stages of faith?
  • Do you encourage children to learn more about faith, their part in the Body of Christ, their journey of wonder?
  • Do you see the church growing through engagement with young people, just where they are and wherever they are going?

A Children's and Families' Minister works alongside their church and community with toddler groups, children’s clubs, Messy Church, Baptism families, with young people in church or similar. Many work as part of a Ministry team and are supported by the Incumbent. Enabling inter-generational connections is a focus of any activity, and Family Ministers will have some experience of establishing creative ways to engage.

To learn more about the role of Children's and Families' Ministers and how to become one, you can read this leaflet:

Children's and Families ministry | PDF

 

 

 

 

 

Children's and Families' Training

The CONNECT course covers aspects of Children’s and Family Ministry by exploring child development, spirituality and formation, new approaches to Family Ministry and by expanding personal skills to enable participants to be visionary Family Ministry leaders within the parish and across the Diocese.

This is a course for existing practitioners, and is a contextualised Leadership and Management course, rather than a ‘how to’, although it draws on good practice locally, nationally and internationally. Whilst not every participant feels called to Licenced Ministry, this is a pathway for the process of discernment to that.

There is no charge for this training, which takes place over monthly meetings in term time only, supported by pre-work and follow up, and assessment based on course work and portfolio building. Reflective Practice is taught and encouraged. The sessions will be delivered through a mixture of location based, online, and seminars, and the dates will be published in advance. Supplementary topics are also available through Diocesan children and families training, and signposting to national/international webinars or similar.

Mentoring is offered, and the course is delivered and supported by Theologians, Practitioners, Theorists and past participants. A vibrant network of those involved in Family Ministry across the Diocese is key to support and ongoing personal development, through a new Growing Younger forum (ReConnect).

Information on the Connect course | Connect course flyer PDF

For more information

For all enquiries about Children's and Families' Ministry, the Connect course or ongoing training opportunities, please email Emma Allinson or telephone 01473 298500.

Photo above by Esi Grünhagen

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