Children's ministers share ideas

By Lisa M. Jones

CBF Communications

ASHEVILLE - Children's ministers shared ideas, resources and inspiration as they gathered for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) Children's Ministry Network fifth annual retreat in conjunction with the Current retreat Feb. 23-26 at First Baptist Church of Asheville.

The children's ministry network participants engaged in joint times of fellowship and worship with Current retreat attendees, in addition to their own track of breakouts and an expanded schedule.

Guest speaker Delia Halverson, author of numerous books on children and faith such as "Nuts and Bolts of Christian Education," led breakout discussions. Introducing participants to different modes of worship and prayer, Halverson offered suggestions for how to engage children in the life of the church.

Halverson discussed how even young children have a sense of awe about the world around them. "I think children worship in ways we don't realize," she said.

The retreat provides an opportunity to ask what children's ministers need from CBF and from the Children's Ministry Network, said Cathy Anderson. Anderson, minister to children at First Baptist Church in Asheville, was one of the founding steering committee members of the CBF Children's Ministry Network.

The group meets twice a year - in the spring for a retreat and in the summer at CBF's General Assembly for a luncheon. "Most of what we do, we do by e-mail or by phone," said Anderson, who oversees the group's e-mail list.

Friendships she has built through the network have turned into valuable ministry resources, Anderson said.

Retreat participants interacted during a Q-and-A time about topics such as Vacation Bible School and Sunday school curriculum choices. David Cassady, publisher and executive vice president of Smyth & Helwys Publishing, led a lunchtime listening session with the children's ministers about their curriculum needs.

Over the past five years, the retreat has grown from approximately 15 participants to more than 30 taking part in this year's event.

Susan Stephenson, associate pastor for children and families at First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Okla., has been to each retreat. When she attended five years ago, she was transitioning to children's ministry after being in another area of church staff ministry for 20 years. "It's been an anchor for me," said Stephenson of the network resources.

Pam Light serves as part-time children and youth minister at New Hope Christian Fellowship in West Columbia, S.C. Light, who currently teaches middle school Spanish, served as one of CBF's Global Service Corps field personnel at Touching Miami With Love in the late 1990s.

After taking the position with New Hope, Light looked online for resources and discovered the CBF Children's Ministry Network and retreat. In addition to the suggestions given by Halverson, Light found spending time with fellow ministers beneficial. "It's been really helpful hearing what other people say in the informal sessions," she said.