Christian Education is a great start. This is giving kids the spiritual tools they need. CE has three main areas: information, comprehension and application. These are aspects of learning that run parallel with foundations in grade school such as: counting, numbers, calendars, or spelling.

Christian Education should be as, if not more, excellent than secular education and should take into consideration children's cognitive development.

Curriculum Benchmarks
Basic skills we want all of our children to have at TFC:

GOD

1. Understanding of who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are
2. Personal Salvation
3. Ability to share Christ with others

1. What prayer is and why it's important
2. Being comfortable praying out loud regularly
3. Confidence in praying with/for someone else

1. Basic Bible tools OT/NT books
2. Scripture memory/story internalization
3. Study Skills and application to life

Spiritual Formation

A well-rounded Children's Ministry will press beyond excellence in Christian Education into Spiritual Formation. This is where internalization of the concepts take place and is like learning to use the tool you've been given. Areas such as personal devotion, disciplines, heavenly calling, anointing, gifts and exposure to God can be intentionally grown in this area. Spiritual growth in children has everything to do with providing them the environment where they can connect with God and is often overlooked because children aren't seen as having the capacity for it. On the contrary, they are like wet cement for a Christ impression and need us to pray for them as well as guide them to walk in what God is revealing to them.

Student Portfolio
What is a portfolio? It is a vehicle for engaging students in the process of self-evaluation and goal-setting. Rather than put lessons in the hands of a few well-meaning teachers and hope it works", this is a deliberate attempt to observe children's spiritual growth." Students retain ownership of their work and are able to reflect on it. They develop increased motivation to achieve their own spiritual goals. Portfolios examine growth over a period of time and support participation. Teachers have reflection sheets that they can fill out for students and I will be able to look at samples from the folders during parent-pastor conferences this year.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care isn't just for the pastor! This area involves discipleship; coming alongside children and building something together that they can call their own. Often it does involve crisis care and counseling. A great book on this subject is The Pastoral Care of Children by Daniel H. Grossoehme. This type of care is deliberate and is the job of the child's community. We meet them where they are by sharing in their tragedies and joys while we move from modeling a Godly life to actually participating with them in shared experience, be that short or long-term. In essence, we do things with them until they are ready to fly on their own.

Parent-Pastor
I would enjoy getting together with you as a family. I have a prepared set of conversation catalysts and questions that center around your children and your unique family dynamics. I want to talk with you, partner together, and ask questions about how the church can better support your changing needs in a constantly fluctuating culture, both within the church and in the world.

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