grow.pcacdm.orggrow.pcacdm.org

Join us on Facebook: Connect PCA Children’s Ministry Leading Children’s Ministry with Purpose PCA CDM Main Children’s Ministry Site Login Virtual Conference Kathy 2024-05-11T22:36:08+00:00 The virtual conference will be live-streamed on August 2-3, 2024 The Virtual conference will be Live-streamed on August 2-3, 2024His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. ” — 2 Peter 1:3 Where is our focus? Gaining perspective on our mission to disciple children. You can participate live or at your own convenience by listening to the livestream, keynotes, and workshops. (The Conference recordings will be available through January 2025.) New this year! There will be interactive workshop offerings in late September and early October. Workshop presenters will offer a live zoom offering for their workshops where you will get to connect with others, hear extra ideas, and practice a skill yourself. The times and links for each workshop will be sent in an email in mid-September for all participants. Registration is Open! Click on the box below based on size of your group Register as an Individual $75 – participate on your own device on your own schedule Register as a Small Group $300 – gather a group up to 6 Register as a Medium Group $400 – gather a group of 7 to 14 Register as a Large Group $500 – gather a group of 15 or more Conference Schedule (Eastern Time) Friday, August 2, 2024 7:00-7:15 pm – Introduction, Giveaways 7:15-7:45 pm – Session 1: Where Is God’s Power in My Ministry? (Andrew Park) 7:45-8:30 pm – Questions & Answers, closing remarks, prayer Saturday, August 3, 2024 10:00-10:15 am – Introduction, Giveaways 10:15-10:45 am – Session 2: What is the Goal of God’s Work in Me? (Stephen Estock) 10:45-11 am – Break, Giveaways 11-11:30 am – Session 3: What Sustains and Strengthens Me in Ministry? (Andrew Park) Followed by closing remarks and prayer Plenary Speakers: Pastor Andrew Park is the Lead Pastor at Living Faith. He was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. He moved to Los Angeles for college, graduating from UCLA in 1998. After two years of working, he studied at Westminster Seminary California where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He also received a Doctorate of Ministry from Western Seminary in 2023. Pastor Andrew is an ordained minister in the PCA. Dr. Stephen Estock is Coordinator for the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM). A former USAF officer, he has been in pastoral ministry for almost 30 years, serving churches in Montgomery, AL and St. Louis, MO. Stephen has also been an adjunct professor at several seminaries, including Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. His Ph.D. is in education, with an emphasis on competency-based learning and leadership training. He and his wife, Susan, have three children and live in Atlanta, GA. WORKSHOPS Outreach Strategies & Ideas (Jeanette Simpson) Are you looking for creative ideas and ways to invite people to your church and to hear the Gospel? We will discuss creative ideas, strategies, and tips for you to help equip your families to invite people to church as well as some practical ways to interact with your community. Telling All of God’s Story (Laney Stayton and Katie Flores) As we are sharing God’s story to children, we must keep them engaged while staying true to God’s Word…all while keeping the biblical narrative in mind. This workshop will help you grow in both areas of storytelling so you can be better equipped to share the mighty deeds of the Lord. Taking Child Protection Off the Back-burner (Dana Russell and Saralyn Tyler) Encouraging and promoting safety in ministry can sometimes take a backseat to other priorities, especially if we don’t know where to start. Join us as we delve into the details of establishing and sustaining safe practices at your church and how to overcome common misperceptions. We’ll also share ideas for using space creatively to foster a safe environment for children and adults. Is Anybody Listening? Tips on Classroom Management (Lisa Updike) You signed up to teach because you love God’s Word and you love children. But, oh, my! You may have forgotten that some children can be a little, shall we say, challenging? In this workshop we will explore what’s behind some of their inappropriate behavior and offer you a few tools of the trade for managing your classroom, making your room a place of joyful learning! Engaging Preschool Hearts: A Firm Foundation (Katie Flores) This workshop explores discipleship methods and processes designed to help young children thrive and learn within the church community and at home. Join us as we discuss engaging strategies that encourage fellowship with others and spiritual growth. We will think together about how to create an environment that starts children on a meaningful journey of discipleship from their preschool years and beyond. Covenant Characteristics Through the Eyes of a Child (Sherry Kendrick) Does it really matter whether a children’s ministry is based on a covenant model? Yes! Covenant children have a special place within the church. They are to be taught that they are members of God’s covenant family that they have responsibilities within that family and that the family of God has responsibilities concerning them. The covenant of grace is what we believe, so the nature of the covenant must determine what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. One way to think covenantally about children’s ministry is to consider some of the characteristics of the covenant. Covenantal ministry is an expression of Covenant Theology, so these characteristics should guide us as we live our lives and as we craft our ministries. Using a new training tool recently developed on this topic, we will learn about the characteristics of the Covenant and how they apply to our children’s ministries. Teaching Our Children Catechism (B.A. Snider) The foundation for our children’s theology is the Bible. First Catechism summarizes biblical truths in simple questions and answers and is based on Westminster Shorter Catechism. When we teach our children at an age when memorization is second nature, theology becomes the framework for all of their Bible stories to hang on. This breakout will discuss why we teach catechism as well as creative ideas for implementing a catechism program in your church. SPEAKERS Katie Flores Katie Flores is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She lives with her husband and children in Birmingham, AL where her favorite volunteer role at Covenant Presbyterian Church is teaching 4k Sunday School. Katie oversees the effort of CDM to connect and equip those who serve in discipleship ministry to children. These efforts include leading conferences, developing resources, and equipping through certification. Sherry Kendrick Sherry Kendrick serves as the Family Ministry Director of Covenant Church of Naples in Naples, FL where she has been for 15 years. She has a degree in elementary education from East Tennessee State University and over 40 years of experience in children’s ministry as well as homeschool, private school and public-school education. She loves children’s curriculums and tends to collect them. Sherry was married to her pastor husband, Mike, for 36 years serving in both small and large churches. As a widow, she continues to serve the church and has three grown children and three grandchildren. Dana Russell Dana Russell has been a member of Christ the King Church in Cambridge, MA for 25 years and has volunteered in the children’s ministry since its beginnings when the first children were born into the congregation. Her early years of service were spent on the nursery committee and teaching Sunday School at multiple grade levels. Dana has served as the Children’s Ministry Director since 2013 and is passionate...