Northwest Conference Children

& Family Ministry News

Imagine: A day for Children & Family Ministry leaders

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015

Crossroads Church, Forest Lake MN

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Let's be honest: Do you have any kids in your ministry that drive you nuts? With more behavior-challenged children in our churches, kids often find overwhelmed teachers and youth workers that unintentionally communicate, "you are a problem in my group." In this workshop you'll learn how to interact with kids and equip others to communicate four grace-filled, powerful messages to their students.

Jim and Lynne Jackson, parent educators, authors and founders of Connected Families, will teach a new "lens" and practical tools for communicating messages of grace and truth in the midst of classroom challenges.

Click here for downloads, including bulletin insert, flier and logo.

Please RSVP to Jessa Anderson by Monday morning, Oct. 5.

Children & Family Ministry Connection

Thursday, Sept. 17 from Noon to 2 p.m.
Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN
Bring a lunch.

To connect and encourage CFM ministry leaders through sharing stories, professional development, and spiritual growth as we develop ourselves as leaders. Gather with like-minded people to be encouraged and know you are not alone in ministry.

Next month, we're meeting on 10/22, due to MEA.

Other Connection dates are Nov. 19, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 17, April 21 and May 19.

Resources

Aim Lower Journal.

A Global conversation about Mission, discipleship and children. Lots to read + some great resources on here for families!

http://www.aimlowerjournal.com/

Seeds Family Worship

Worship as a family with Seeds Family Worship - http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/

Here's a sample: http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/video/1-timothy-412-seeds-family-worship-young/

Slugs and Bugs "What's in the Bible?" CD

http://www.slugsandbugs.com

Learn scripture through Dove Award nominated music. Interested in bringing Slugs and Bugs to your community with Slugs and Bugs Live? They still have available dates in October and November. Send an email to micah@theclementineagency.com for more info on booking, or contact Kara Stromberg to learn about collaborating with other churches.

Here's a sample:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAVX9476E-0

What's in the Bible?
Wonder what Phil Vischer is up to post-Veggie Tales?

- http://whatsinthebible.com/

Great kid-friendly explanation of the Gospel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uppjUEzOwOg

SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 14, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maple Grove Covenant Church

An all-day learning opportunity for pastors, ministry staff, and key lay leaders w/Bill Henson

This is part of our ongoing effort to resource our pastors and churches in living faithfully and graciously into our Covenant position on human sexuality. Henson presented to 140 of our pastors in May and his presentation was well-received by those attending the event. He is founder of Lead Them Home, an organization that consults church leaders on building a biblically orthodox, missiological framework for church mission and ministry with LGBTQ persons, with a specialization in sharing Christ with non-heterosexual persons.

Henson has developed a framework for conversation and learning called Posture Shift, a national model reaching over 5,000 church leaders in recent years. His work has been featured in Leadership Journal and it has been incorporated as teaching curricula at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Gordon College. The board of trustees of Lead Them Home is chaired by Dr. Raymond Pendleton, professor of pastoral psychology, at Gordon-Conwell.

If you'd like to be a part of a smaller discussion group on human sexuality with Covenant pastors, led by Dr. Gary Strauss, please email jessa@northwestconference.org for more information. Dr. Strauss will also join children and family ministry leaders at a Connection gathering this fall.

Dr. Mark Yarhouse will present a workshop for pastors, ministry staff and lay leaders on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location to be determined.

2015 -2016 Dates to Know

Recharge 2016

Recharge is a one-day multi-denominational conference aimed to inspire and equip church staff and their volunteers in children, youth and family ministry

www.Ministryrecharge.org

Twin Cities, MN	Jan. 9
Duluth, MN	Jan. 16
Fargo, ND	Jan. 23
Green Bay, WI	Feb. 20
Cedar Falls, IA	Feb. 27

Social Media

To get the latest updates on events and other Children & Family Ministry happenings for the NWC, like us on Facebook:

NWC Children & Family Ministry Facebook Page

Did you know there is also an ECC Children's Ministry Facebook page? This is a closed group, so if you are interested in joining (all are welcome!), send an email to kara@northwestconference.org and you will receive an invitation. This is a great way to collaborate on a national level.