My most trafficked posts right now, outside of my pop culture posts on the TV shows Weeds and Lost, are the ones about children’s ministry. This is due, I believe, to a real need and desire for emerging forms of ministry to and for kids.
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that one of the best ways to minister to children is by providing resources to the parents. I’m not talking about bible study materials, not only materials any way, but I’m talking about providing a support and training network to help parents raise their children.
Sometimes what parents need is just a break… a time to grow more intimate as a couple. I’ve mentioned previously providing a date night would be an excellent ministry for parents. The church provides some sort of child care, maybe a children’s program or children’s small groups, and the parents get a date night. It needs to be stressed that part of the purpose is so the parents can spend time together.
Encouraging parents to make prayer and family bible study a routine (I know we don’t like that word, but come on… some times it’s necessary 
) is another important element in ministering to whole families.
These are just a couple of ideas on how to minister to children, parents, and families as a whole.
Hi Alan,
I have been following some that you have been writing recently concerning ministry to children in the emerging church.
I am a children’s minister. Last week we had an overnighter in relation to Valentine’s Day. We do this every year so that parents can have a night off for a date. This is a simple but effective way of showing parents that we care about them.
The thing that makes this night particularly special is I design it as if it is a special night for the kids. We do games, movies, crafts and all other kinds of fun stuff for kids.
JadedCM
February 24th, 2007
Hi Alan,
I’ve just come across your site and am excited! This is very much my passion at the moment. I’ve started some small ways to help parents on the family bible reading & prayer avenue – do you have any particular suggestions, things that you’ve seen work well?
Also – love the idea of a date night! We offered a coulple of morning creches around Christmas time so mum’s could bring their kids to church for the morning and then go and do their Christmas shopping. This was greatly appreciated & something I think we’ll try and do more often. A date night idea is really fantastic!!
Thanks & God Bless,
Louisa
Louisa
February 24th, 2007