Bill Emeott - What about Kids Ministry?: Practical Answers to Questions about Kids Ministry

Copyright 2018 by B&H Publishing Group Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved.

978-1-5359-2509-9

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 259.22

Subject Heading: CHURCH WORK WITH KIDS / CHILDREN / MINISTRY

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Also used: King James Version ( kjv ), public domain.

Cover design by Stephanie Salvatore. Pattern illustration shutterstock/venimo.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 22 21 20 19 18

Contributors

Jeremy Carroll has served in kids ministry for twenty-three years. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeremy is a publishing team leader for LifeWay Kids and teaches Bible study and kids worship at his church.

Rachel Coe has served in kids ministry for forty-two years. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is a content editor for LifeWay Kids. Rachel teaches preschoolers at her church.

Jeremy Echols has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-one years. He is a graduate of Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeremy is the manager of LifeWay Kids Camps and Events and teaches second and third grade Bible study at his church.

Bill Emeott has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-eight years. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill is the lead kids ministry specialist at LifeWay Kids and enjoys teaching preschoolers, second graders, and preteens each week at his church.

Shelly D. Harris has been serving in kids ministry for twenty years. She is a graduate of Murray State University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Shelly is a content editor for LifeWay Kids and is the kids ministry associate at her church.

Landry Holmes has been serving in kids ministry for thirty-eight years. He is a graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Landry is the manager of kids ministry publishing at LifeWay Kids and teaches preschool Bible study and Vacation Bible School at his church.

Karen Jones has been serving in kids ministry for nineteen years. She is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is a content editor for LifeWay Kids. Karen teaches three- and four-year-olds in Bible study each week at her church.

Jeff Land has been serving in kids ministry for seventeen years. He is a graduate of Mississippi College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeff currently serves as childrens pastor at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas. Prior to moving to Texas, Jeff spent twelve years as a publishing team leader for LifeWay Kids.

Jana Magruder has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-three years. She is a graduate of Baylor University and is the director of LifeWay Kids. Jana teaches preteen girls each week and preschoolers during worship at her church.

Chuck Peters has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-six years. He is a graduate of Columbia International University and is the director of operations for LifeWay Kids. Chuck teaches children in weekly Bible study and childrens worship at his church.

Tim Pollard has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-three years. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Tim is a publishing team leader at LifeWay Kids and teaches kids Bible study and boys missions education at his church each week.

Debbie Ruth has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-eight years. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Debbie is a content editor for LifeWay Kids and teaches second graders at her church.

Kayla Stevens has been serving in kids ministry for ten years. She is a graduate of William Carey University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Kayla is a content editor for LifeWay Kids and enjoys teaching preschoolers and children at her church.

Bekah Stoneking has been serving in kids ministry for nineteen years. Bekah is a graduate of Columbus State University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bekah is a content editor for LifeWay Kids and teaches preschoolers at her church.

Klista Storts is the preschool content editor for LifeWays Vacation Bible School resources. Prior to LifeWay, Klista served as preschool minister at churches in Oklahoma and Tennessee. She has a passion for training and equipping leaders to share the gospel with kids and their families.

William Summey has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-five years. He is a graduate of Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Vanderbilt University. William is a publishing team leader for LifeWay Kids and teaches each week at his church.

Melita Thomas has been serving in kids ministry for twenty years. She is a graduate of Campbell University and Dallas Baptist University. Melita serves as Vacation Bible School and kids ministry specialist at LifeWay Kids and teaches kindergarten Bible study, Vacation Bible School, and preteen choir at her church.

Rhonda VanCleave has been serving in kids ministry for forty-four years. She is a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University and is a publishing team leader for LifeWay Kids. Rhonda teaches childrens worship each week and Vacation Bible School at her church.

Delanee Williams has been serving in kids ministry for twenty-two years. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee serves as kids ministry specialist for LifeWay Kids and teaches preschoolers and children at her church.

Introduction

I knew God called me to ministry. I knew He had placed a burden in my heart specifically for kids ministry, and I realized that He had gifted me with talents that would help me in the role Id just been chosen to fill. But the truth was, I didnt know what I was doing. Id had formal education, for which Im thankful, but I needed quick answers to the everyday questions, issues, and ministry struggles that I now faced and for which I didnt feel equipped.

I was immediately enrolled into the school of hard knocks and began seeking and reading and studying other ministries I thought could give me direction. I was blessed with ministry leaders in my community who had pity on me, perhaps saw potential, and jumped in to give direction and serve as mentors and friends. The first year wasnt easy. But with my calling secure, my support system in place, and the Holy Spirit empowering me, I made it through.

Ive often wished there had been a resource that would have quickly answered my questions. I needed a one-stop resource that I could reference and trust. It is in the hopes of offering that resource to others that we offer this compilation.

I couldnt have been the only minister who needed help and answers, and Im pretty sure there are still many today who are experiencing the same feelings of inadequacy and need for direction and assurance. So I sat with ministry colleagues and began to seek practical answers to questions relevant to todays kids ministry leaders.

I am thankful for the wealth of knowledge represented on these pages. Im thankful for the answers compiled in this book by ministry experts with vast and varied backgrounds. Im thankful for their ministry to children and their families. Im most thankful to God who loves kids, families, and those of us who are trying hard to honor Him as we minister. To God be the glory! Great things He has done and will do through each of you.