The Down and Dromore Children’s Development Officer, Julie Currie, conducted a survey of Children’s Ministry in the diocese between January and May 2011. She presented her findings to the Diocesan Synod on June 28.
“Ministering to children is a vital part of church life,” says Julie. “Children are not the church of tomorrow; but the church of today. They can experience and contribute a huge amount in the Kingdoom of God and it is a privilege to be involved in helping them do this.
“The starting point for all of us working with children at any level must be gaining a basic understanding of them and their needs. Children today more than ever, need to know that there is someone who is genuinely interested in them and who cares about them. Children are individuals, unique and gifted by God.
“We may need to consider raising our expectations of what we expect from children spiritually. Children have a fantastic capacity to learn, be taught and grow in a relationship with God and God desires this for them. So we need to ensure that children feel secure, welcomed and enabled in a positive environment, so they can understand, enjoy and apply God’s word to their lives.”
Julie concludes that the churches in the diocese should be:
• Committed to ministry and pastoral care of children in their parish & community
• Creating opportunities for children to encounter the Gospel in all its forms
• Connecting the children’s programmes together and to other ministries in the church
• Recognizing that children are partners in the Gospel and Christ’s church
To accomplish all of this we need to cover every detail and every aspect with:
• prayer
• training & resourcing
for the parishes and churches in Down and Dromore Diocese.
A copy of the report may be downloaded at:
http://www.downanddromore.org/cmsfiles/moved/files/c/s-Ministry-Report-for-Down-and-Dromore-Diocese-2011.pdf
email: julie@downanddromore.org