BOOK REVIEW Enduring Connections FABIO ROCHA

PART I: The Childhood Ministry CHAPTER I Does Your Church Have a Focused Goal or Vision for Preschool and Gradeschool Ministry? The author talks about the necessity of having an intentional ministry that has a vision and a curriculum that addresses the aspects of spiritual formation. This vision should be found in the dependence of God through prayer and by knowing well the particular needs of the ministry. I believe the author layered a great foundation for the rest of the book. Before we start any journey we have to ask ourselves where we going and how we are going to get there. CHAPTER II Does Your church Consider Children a Valued Component of the Congregation? This chapter talks about the importance of accessing how the church sees children. It exemplifies indicators that reveal weather a church values the children ministry as part of its overall mission. Another very important aspect talked about in this chapter is the importance of the involvement of children in the community worship as family and as church. These experiences will not only help connect children to God, but also to their families as they will have the opportunity to observer adults model worship behavior while they too are part of this experience. CHAPTER III Do Parents Receive Support, Encouragement, and Resources from the Church? The church cannot be seen as the faith provider for parents, where they leave their children a couple hours per week and they receive religious instruction. They church should be seen and perceived as a partner that will equip and cooperate on the mission of developing kids so they can have a relationship with God. The church should be proactive in equipping parents

and responding to the familys spiritual needs in an intentional and natural manner. CHAPTER IV Does Your Church Value the Preschool and Grade-school Teachers and/or Leaders and Equip Them to Do a Very Important Ministry? It is important to value teachers and volunteers in order to have a quality Childrens Ministry and that is done from the moment the enlistment process starts. Churches should strive to have quality volunteers that will be constantly trained by the Childrens Ministry instead of settling for warm bodies. When the volunteers are cared for, the children will be cared for. I couldnt agree more with this chapter, which I believe is one of the most important chapters of this book. CHAPTER V Does Your Church Minister to Children with Special Needs and Situations? The Church cannot meet every need, but there is a necessity to be sensitive to the people of our community as the Church has a mission to fulfill its mission at home first. Often times the church neglects the needs of children with mental/physical disabilities, children with economic needs, children with single parents and children that dont have English as their native language. As a matter of fact if we survey our own churches we will have a very specific list of needs and opportunities to ministry to children in a way that they really need. CHAPTER VI Does Your Have an Intentional, Appropriate Process for Guiding Children into a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ? A positive guidance will give a child a solid start in his/her new relationship with Jesus, but in order to develop this positive guidance, teachers have to be sensitive to the childs limitations in understanding the concepts of faith. Teachers should also be prepared to answer the Childs questions about God

and the Bible without any pressure or cohesion respecting their own time and relationship with God. CHAPTER VII Does Communication Flow among Staff, Parents and Teachers in all Ministries as well as in the Congregation? Lack of adequate communication is a problem most churches face weekly but by being proactive and using communication as a tool to enhance the Childrens Ministry many problems can be avoided and volunteers and staff can work more efficiently. There are different levels of communication that should be observed: communication among parents, communication among staff and volunteers, communication to the community, communication among the congregation. CHAPTER VIII Does Your Church Offer Several Appropriate and Appealing Programs? Churches should avoid being eager to fill a time slot and change programs when a solution is not working. In order to come up with a program, churches need to be aware of the ways they can connect with children from the present generation. Another important aspect is to consider the details of each program option such as bible studies, discipleship, music, mission and learn which one is the appropriate for the churchs needs and is aligned with the churchs vision and priorities. CHAPTER IX Is There a Balance between Reaching New Children and Families and Nurturing Those Already Involved? It is important to reach a balance between content and programs aimed at churched children and unchurched. The idea that we are the church should always be in our minds and should influence our attitude to be the church wherever we are. A successful ministry is based on true interest and relationships among children, parents and teachers.

CHAPTER X Is Your Church a Safe, Nurturing, Welcoming Place for Preschoolers and Grade-schoolers? The number one concern parents will have when coming to a church the first time is whether this place is a safe place for my child. A safe and secure environment will influence the first impression visitor will have of the Childrens Ministry. The volunteer/children ratio, how much space is available to children, how the teacher welcomes the children, safety policies (check in) are all examples of important details that are crucial in any Childrens Ministry. CHAPTER XI Is the Literature Meeting the Needs, Interests, and Development of the Preschoolers and Grade-schoolers? What are the criteria to choose the literature for Childrens Ministry? Does the material have the same doctrinal perspective as the church? Is the bible information accurate? Is the material age appropriate for the audience? What about the use of symbolic content? These are some of crucial questions that have to be asked before choosing any material. The material is not only important in its content but also in the activities that will happen in class based on this material. All the learning experience should have in mind the childs knowledge, feelings and behavior.

CHAPTER XII Does Your Church Have a Council, Committee, or Team to Support the Preschool and Grade-school Ministry? It is very important to establish a support team to address the Childrens Ministry needs and concerns. This group will strengthen the ministry and help it stay aligned with the churchs priorities and vision. This team will also help develop ministry partnerships within the church in order to involve other age groups in the work and support of the childrens ministry .

PART II: Leader of The Ministry CHAPTER XIII Whatever You Are Called, Are You Called? The number one priority in the life of the minister should be his/her relationship with God. From that relationship all other relationships will be built and will prosper. Once the minister has the understanding of his/her calling, there should be a greater sense of dependence on God for strength and wisdom to do the ministry. Many ministers have specific gifts or a combination of gifts that his/her will use in the ministry. These gifts should be developed and perfected. CHAPTER XIV What Does the Church Need to Consider in Calling/Hiring a Preschool and/or Grade-school Minister/Leader? On this chapter the author outlines some guidelines for a church that is considering hiring a minister. Some important things that should be discussed by the church is the profile of the minister the churchs needs, how much is the appropriate compensation, what are the churchs expectations and what kind of qualification the churchs thinks its appropriate for the position. This chapter was very interesting in shoeing the churchs perspective when hiring a minister. CHAPTER XV How Do You Learn What You Are to Do as a Preschool or Grade-school Minister? It is paramount for an educator to continue his/her education. In Childrens Ministry this could be done through conferences, community college classes, mentoring, coaching and independent study. CHAPTER XVI Where Do You Begin in a Childhood Ministry?

The Childrens Ministry starts with relationships. It should all be a constant care an intentional development of relationships among staff, the church, parents, teachers and children. Another important aspect of the CM that should not be neglected is to always observe, and ask questions so adjustments can be made an new priorities set. CHAPTER XVII What Are the Roles of a Childhood Minister or Coordinator? The Childrens Ministry Coordinator should perform in the following areas: administration, education, Communication, Curriculum Developer, Equipper, Caregiver, Minister and Evaluator. All of them offer levels of freedom to delegate tasks and the empowering of volunteers.