The resources listed here are just a taste of what is available for you through the work of Faith Formation. Feel free to browse these topics and resources, and if you need more help, email us at Thrive@crcna.org.

Faith Nurture Resources

• The Spiritual Characteristics of Children and Teens brochure describes development patterns from preschool through high school. It’s helpful for children’s ministry workers, pastors, teachers, and parents.
• In your efforts to be intentional in the faith formation process, Shaped by God: Twelve Essentials for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth, and Adults edited by Robert Keeley, is a great resource. In this book, twelve experts share their perspectives on faith formation at home, in worship, in education, in intergenerational contexts, in people with developmental disabilities, and more.

Selecting and Adapting Curriculum

• Working with curriculum is an important task but can also be overwhelming and time-consuming. The Ten-Question Tool for Choosing Children’s Ministry Curriculum is an easy-to-use tool that can help you select a curriculum that’s as theologically and educationally sound as it is engaging and inclusive.
• Choosing a Curriculum: A Guide for Churches is a tool that takes a more in-depth look at curriculum options. It includes a checklist of important curriculum features and questions to help you find theologically and pedagogically sound resources that fit the unique personality and dynamics of your congregation.
• Do you need information about a specific curriculum? There are reviews, curriculum options and help with writing your own curriculum on the “Choosing Your Curriculum” tab in the Children’s Ministry Toolkit. You can access the toolkit here.

Recruiting and Equipping Volunteers

• Calling people to ministry is a process. Equipping people for ministry requires intentionality. 30 Ideas for Calling, Keeping, and Celebrating Volunteers is a list of ideas that can help you in this process. You might want to print, save, and consult this list throughout the year.
• For more ideas and resources, check out the “Calling, Encouraging, and Equipping Leaders” tab in the Children’s Ministry toolkit. You can access the kit here.

Am I on the Right Track?

• How do you know that all your great plans are actually working? It is important that you have a plan for ministry evaluation. At the end of the year, you can use this evaluation tool for Sunday school leaders to get valuable feedback from your team. If you have any questions or challenges regarding program evaluation or implementing ministry change, you can email Thrive@crcna.org.

Involving Kids in Worship

• Worship isn’t just for adults and involving kids in worship takes intentionality. By participating with the faith community, children learn about God, the Gospel, and the story of redemption from other faith-seekers.
• Ten Ways for Families to Engage Kids in Worship is a great tool to help make worship meaningful for children.
• Welcoming Children to the Lord’s Supper toolkit explores how congregations can welcome children to the table. It includes resources for worship, practical ideas for parents, curriculum for children’s ministry, intergenerational events, and more.
• Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Castleman is a essential book that incorporate biblically grounded theology with experientially test practical ideas to help deepen children’s participation in worship.

How do I create a safe environment in my ministry?

• Because children are vulnerable, and because statistics show that abuse is just as prevalent inside the church as outside, it is up to you to do everything you can to provide a safe environment at all times. Thrive offers excellent resources that can help equip congregations in abuse awareness, prevention and response.
• You’ll find more information and sample child safety policies at crcna.org/SafeChurch.