It Worked for Us

Best Practices for Ministry with Children and Families
Edited by Judy Comstock

A Comprehensive guide for children’s pastors, educators, and leaders.

Developed in partnership with the International Network of Children’s Ministry, this guide provides the strategic information needed to plan and implement a complete children’s ministry.

• Each article is written by a children’s worker who has actually “been there, done that”
• Provides comprehensive information for key areas of children’s ministries
• Supplies training for paid and volunteer staff
• A one-source guide for multiple topics
• Includes a CD-ROM with forms and information that can be customized for different settings and churches

Going Live in 3...2...1!

by Tina Houser

Synopsis: Lights, Camera Action...It's Story Time!

If there's one thing Tina Houser knows how to do, it's how to tell GREAT stories...Bible stories that is! Those who have seen Tina in action know how talented she is at capturing an audience - whether children or adults - with innovative techniques that keep listeners on the edge of their seats and cheering for more.

If you are ready to take your Sunday school or children's church lessons from ho-hum to hurray, this book is for you! Tina shares many of her time-tested, kid-pleasing storytelling techniques in this information-packed book. Your kids will be having so much fun they won't even realize they're learning Bible stories by heart!

The Quick Guide to Discipline for Children's Ministry

101 Good Ideas for Bad Behavior

Give this book to every leader on your children's ministry team!

Synopsis: You’ll love this at-your-fingertips handbook for discipline issues that frazzle your nerves and leave you wondering what to do. Look to this guide for effective techniques that eliminate and redirect behavior challenges.

From A - Z you'll find help for: anger, ADHD,bad language, biting, bullying, crying, disrespectful behavior, lying, sarcasm, safety risks, tattling...and more!

Children's Ministry
Pocket Guide to Discipline

Quick Tips for a Stress-Free Classroom

Synopsis: Relax: This pocket guide is packed with practical ways to avoid most discipline issues – plus tips for tackling any problems that do arise. These best–ever solutions are from front–line teachers who've mastered the art of keeping their classrooms stress-free and fun – for kids and leaders!

What's a Bathtub Doing in My Church?

Fifteen Questions Kids Ask About Baptism, Salvation and Snorkels

By Kevin Spear

Synopsis: Explaining baptism is not always easy! Some parts of the whole baptism thing look very strange. What is that strange bathtub doing in the church anyway? Why should someone get baptized? Will people laugh at me if I look like a wet rat when I get out?

This little book helps take the mystery out of the baptism ceremony in a way that kids can understand.

Turbocharged!

100 Simple Secrets to Successful Preschool Ministry

Synopsis: Studies show a child's spiritual formation begins in preschool - it's a critical, formative stage of life! For children's leaders at church, that means we must be equipped and passionate about preschool ministry. This book is the tool to make that happen.

Turbocharged! is all about helping you reach out to preschoolers and their families. It's about making a difference. One child at a time. All of the time.

The strategies, ideas, and philopsophies in this book flow from hands-on preschool ministry experience. We've seen them work for our kids. We know they'll work for yours.

Kids' Travel Guide to the 23rd Psalm

With 13 in-depth Bible lessons for grades K-5, it's perfect for Sunday School or midweek meetings at your church.

Synopsis: Jesus loves and watches over kids! At school. At home. On the soccer field. At the doctor's office. Anywhere! Use Kid's Travel Guide to the 23rd Psalm to share this promise of God's provision and protection - and to lead your children in a discovery of every promise in Psalm 23. When kids feel unsure or lonely or worried or confused, they can take comfort in knowing: "The Lord is my shepherd..."

Passing the Baton

Guide Your Child to Follow Jesus

By Grant Edwards

Synopsis: If you’re a parent, you want your child to have a growing friendship with Jesus. And if you’re a Christian education leader, you want parents to be successful!
But what do parents do? What do they say? Where do they start?

START HERE
Theses ten 45-minute, do-them-at-home sessions cement elementary-age children into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Included are…

• Step-by-step directions so parent know exactly what to say and do. And sessions aren’t just based on talking – there are also fun activities and do-them-together games!
• Scrapbook pages that help parents document their child’s faith milestones! This book becomes a treasured reminder of a family faith adventure.
• Fun extras! From movie suggestions to activity pages to games, parents are ready to reinforce the week’s lesson - all week long.
• Launch and Wrap-Up Parties! Churches get complete party plans to tie this parent-child discipling program to their children’s ministry.

Grand Days

Ideas for sharing faith moments between grandparents and grandkids

Synopsis: If  you have grandchildren – or are the stand-in “nana” or pop-pop” for a young person in your church or neighborhood – this book is for you.

Whether your grandkids are across town or across the country, you can have a great relationship. This practical book shows you how.
Inside you’ll find age-appropriate..

Projects to make together
Outings that let you explore the world together
Cooking and eating suggestions that help you taste the world together
Storytelling that connects the generations together
Books and movies to enjoy together
Engage your grandchildren in natural, fun opportunities to grow closer – and to share yur Christian faith!

Shift

by Brian Haynes

What it takes to finally reach families today

Synopsis: Whether you’re just getting started ministering to families or you’ve got a full-blown family ministry, Shift helps you equip parents to become spiritual leaders in their homes.
And you don’t have to rework your entire ministry to make it happen!

Get a practical, workable plan for leveraging the milestones your church is already marking as families move through their faith journey together. You’ll tap into the natural patterns of childhood development and family life, equipping parents when they’re most open to shaping their children’s faith.

Emergency Response Handbook for Disaster Relief

Synopsis: Authored in partnership with The Salvation Army! This rapid-response field manual is designed for volunteers who want to assist in the recovery efforts of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fatal car accidents, and more. Includes expert advice from disaster response professionals on what to say and do when you step on the scene of a natural or man-made crisis.

Every solution is backed by:

1. Counseling & care tips
2. Scripture connections
3. Case studies
4. Additional resources

Includes chapters on:

• Crisis of faith
• Bereavement/death
• Depression
• Suicide
• Financial crisis/material instability/unemployment
• Stress & anxiety/fear
• Managing expectations
• Special needs (children, the elderly)
• Isolation/loss of support system
• Dealing with multi-faith/unchurched issues & worldviews

The $5 Youth Ministry

Low-Cost Ideas for Effective Ministry

By Todd Outcalt

Synopsis: It seems like no matter how good the economy is, there’s never enough money in the youth budget.
That’s why The $5 Youth Ministry is packed cover to cover with effective, easy-to-implement ideas – that all cost about $5 or less. You’ll get tons of quality ideas for small groups, weekend retreats, worship services, outreach, fundraising, communication strategies, and so much more. And most importantly, this book goes beyond just icebreakers and games – every page is written to help build and grow a relational youth ministry. You’ll get low-cost tools, not gimmicks, that you can put to use at your next meeting to help engage and develop your students.

Great for preteen ministry also!

Lasting Impressions

From Visiting to Belonging

By Mark Waltz

Synopsis: Discover how to create a church culture that encourages connections – lasting impressions – and continually draws people deeper into the life of your church…and the kingdom.

• Identify what you can   - and can’t do to help others grow.
• Develop experiences that encourage people to explore, discover, and grow in their personal journeys toward and with Christ.
• Understand the value of organic relationship.
• Honor God as you offer your best to your people – and your community.

Whether someone is fresh to your church or has been with you for decades, there’s a next step to take. A step closer to God. A step deeper into the mission and ministry of your church. A step from simply attending to belonging.

Comforting Children in Crisis

Know what to say, what not to say, and what you can do

Synopsis: Children face emergencies, too - and shouldn't endure them alone. When children are burdened by life's struggles, what do you say? What if you make things worse?

This go-to guide gives you the confidence to share God's love and comfort with hurting children and their families.

Each topic includes:

Real-life narrative - Learn from someone who has been there

Care & counseling tips - Support children through a wide range of their most common emergencies

What to say & what not to say - Respond in the most helpful way possible

Also includes: Scripture connections, guidelines for referring children to professional resources and caring ways you can stand by children in need.

Sticky Faith

52 Family Messages for Big Church

Includes CD-ROM of 52 ready-to-use, family-friendly bulletin inserts!

Synopsis: Just add one of these 3 - 5 minute activities and you'll see children sit up...lean forward...and hang on every word. Which means parents and other grown-ups will be more attentive, too.

You get 52 activities that...

• require little or no prep
• complement common sermon themes or passages
• make for memorable learning for kids...and adults!

Plus, with each Sticky Faith activity you'll get...

• an already-designed bulletin insert for families to take home
• suggestions for objects to display - to keep things visually interesting

Use Sticky Faith for Sunday services...children's sermons...anywhere you want to capture kids' attention and engage entire families!

Compass

A Guide for Character and Spiritual Formation in Children

by Vernie Schorr

Synopsis: Compass: A Guide for Character and Spiritual Formation in Children is a fresh, relevant, twenty-first century source of information and materials for integrating character and spiritual formation activities into family, school, sport, and church curriculum. In these pages, Christian educators, parents, and other leaders of children will find the rationale and resources they need to help children become people who reflect God's Character.

Energizing Children's Ministry in the Smaller Church

by Rick Chromey

Synopsis: Children's ministry in the smaller church has the same amazing potential to grow and thrive as a mustard seed. It's all in how you cultivate it. This practical guide provides insights that will encourage you in your children's ministry, along with ready-to-use tools for evaluation, budgeting, and teacher training. Energize your children's ministry with innovative strategies for mega-impact with limited resources, people, and money.

It's Not Junk It's Resources

by Tina Houser

Synopsis: If you're short on cash you can still score high on creativity!

Using everyday objects most of us have lying around or ready for garbage pickup, Tina Houser shows us imaginative ways to make great children's storytelling props, activities games and classroom decor that reinforce Bible stories.

Special Needs Smart Pages

Created by Joni and Friends (DVD and CD-rom Included)

Synopsis: This comprehensive resource from Joni and Friends will help you meet the great need to minister to children with disabilities such as autism, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities and emotional and behavioral disorders.

It's crucial that these cherished children and their families learn about Jesus' love for them and know Him as their Savior. This indispensable guide provides the resources that will help you meet the spiritual, physical, social, and emotional needs of children with disabilities ages 4 to 12.

JC Q's

One Hundred Fifty Jesus-Centered Questions

Group Publishing

Synopsis: Jesus is by far the most fascinating person who ever walked the earth, but you wouldn't know it by the kinds of questions we typically ask about Him. A surprising question about Jesus can keep you talking and exploring for a long time; a bad question about Jesus can confirm what many already believe - He's just a boring "nice guy" - Mr. Rogers with a beard. Well, here are 150 questions about Jesus that will spark great discussions about who He really is - we know because we've asked them. Use them anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

Preteen Launchables

All the stuff you need to Launch YOUR Preteen Ministry!!

Synopsis: Whether you're launching a new preteen ministry or refueling a current program, here's everything you need to...

Understand how God wired your preteens - socially, spiritually, intellectually, physically, and emotionally

Connect with preteens - through great games, slammin' service ideas, wow worship, powerful parent involvement, rockin' retreats, and exciting events!

Plan to succeed with preteens - sure-fire, practical ministry solutions - including igniting the right vision, recruiting the right team, sharing the right message, and so much more!

Leading Preteens

By Patrick Snow

Synopsis: Preteens don't quite fit!
Preteens don't quite fit in children's ministry any longer, and they're not ready for junior high ministry. What do you do with preteens?
If you're a teacher or leader of preteens, Leading Preteens will help guide your intentional ministry with them. Discover how to help preteens get a super start to their relationships with Jesus. Whether you have been doing preteen ministry for years or are just beginning to think about it, this book is for you!

My First 90 Days in Ministry

Group Publishing

Synopsis: "Relax - here's practical, from-the-trenches advice to keep you on safe ground as you navigate a new church culture...settle into a ministry role...and sort through a pile of priorities.

This little book points you toward quick successes. Keeps you from stepping on relational land mines. And helps you remember why you went into ministry in the first place.

Protecting Your Church
Against Sexual Predators

by Voyle A. Glover, Esq.

Synopsis: "They sit in our pews. They come to our church picnics. They may even teach Sunday school or serve on a committee. They are sexual predators, and no church or ministry is immune to the devastating effects of child sexual abuse and the resulting litigation.

Good intentions alone will not stop the physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual damage resulting from just one incident of abuse. This invaluable guide, written by an experienced attorney and active church member, provides must-have information on important questions such as:

• What if a church member or leader is accused of molestation?
• What should be said to the media after an incident or an allegation?
• What insurance coverage should a church have?
• What screening and background checks should be used for church workers?
• What policies should be implemented to protect children?"

This book is easy to read, written in an honest and straightforward way. It contains vital information no church should be without.

101 Simple Service Projects Kids Can Do

By Susan L. Lingo

Synopsis: Kids will discover why God wants us to serve, what blessings come from serving, and how serving others is the best way to serve God! From mini fund-raisers and simple service projects, to holiday helps and everyday acts of kindness, kids will discover that serving is as fun as it is life changing.