Children's Church

WranglerChWrangler Children's Church Basic Structure

After many years of Children's Church Ministry we have served in those running from 5 children to 500 children in attendance.

The cultures have varied widely.

The ideal structure follows a Back to Basics 4 Step Approach pattern much like the following with variations in age groups, personnel, & facilities:

  • Opening
  • Message/Lesson
  • Salvation Presentation
  • Bible Game Time

Reommended Training Slides: Kids' Ministry Basic 4 Step Structure

Opening:

Opening Time is a short attention focus segment lasting from 5 minutes to 10 minutes maximum. Often we combine ages 4 years through 12 years for this segment before dividing out the age groups into Little Wranglers and Wranglers at the close of Opening Time.

A variety of different things can happen in Opening Time.  Remember this is not the main event; it is focus time.

Choose one or more from Suggestions:

  • Puppets
  • Music
  • Object Lessons
  • Skits
  • We have played small games or thrown lariats while we visited with the children.

 Puppets:

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Multiple Puppet Scripts are available.  Puppets: Things to do and not to do is recommended reading. 

Recommended Slide Presentation:  Puppets in Ministry Slides

Each week in the Wrangler Church Opening our main character puppet, Henryetta Hen, directs the Puppet Team with her antics. Surprises abound as the Chicken Puppet demonstrates a Bible Principle.

A Character Puppet that interacts with a leader/teacher. One church has adopted a Cow Puppet, or a Racoon Puppet, another a Crazy Wild Bird, & another a Cowgirl Puppet.

 

 

  Melodrama Skits:

 2SkitMarch2010 015  Melodrama Skits are occasionally used in opening segment.

   Skits keep them coming back week after week to see what happens next.

   Useful a few times a year for a special series or for VBS.

   Everyone looks forward to the skits.

 

 

 

 

Preaching/Teaching:

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Lesson Series , Stand-Alones or VBS Packages : Take a look at over ten years of Illustrated Messages/Lessons for all ages.

Appropriate age level ILLUSTRATED preaching/teaching EVERY week.

THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT.

Recommended Slide Presentation: Illustrated Messages

 

 

 

 

 Salvation Explained [Ages 1st-6th]:

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See the  Salvation Page where you may download & view Flash Cards & Several Resources to assist with Follow-Up, as well as a more detailed explanation of the Salvation Presentation.

In Children's Church Salvation is briefly explained via flash cards or powerpoint presentation.

The children are then offered an opportunity to voluntarily sit down with a counseler and discuss a further explanation of salvation.

While some children are with a counseler, we go forward with a Bible Game.

Little Wranglers Church Ages 4 & 5 years have a Craft or Activity During this Segment of Time.

Recommended Slide Presentation:  Salvation for Children


 

BIble GameBible Games:

Bible Game Time reinforces the preaching/teaching Bible Time.

Excitement Soars & the Children do not want to go home yet!

See Details of Games & How to Make on a Zero Budget:

 

 

Additional Communication Tools:

One of the most important TOOLS you have in your toolbox in developing and maintaining a vibrant Children's Ministry is Communication.

  • How you present your ministry via social media or the web matters.
  • Do you have a Facebook Page for your Kids' Ministry?
  • Is your attendance roll up to date with email addresses?
  • A Newsletter is a must.

Consistently each month a Newsletter for each family on your attendance roll that presents:

  • Pertinent information presented in a colorful, appealing format:
  • Past events with pictures
  • Upcoming events such as your theme/topic of lessons
  • Appropriate clipart or pictures to visually convey information quickly.
  • One page format is preferred.

SampleNewsletter1