Biblical Philosophy of Children’s Ministry
In this section you will find:
- Course Description
- Course Objectives
- Course Delivery
- Course Syllabus
- Professor
- Undergrad or Graduate
- Course Costs
- Registration
- Contact
This course seeks to provide a holistic understanding of Children’s Ministry from the beginnings of the Sunday School movement to today’s post-modern Children’s Ministry context. Students will be taught to assess the health of their Children’s Ministry in light of – 1) the philosophy of ministry of an individual church, 2) the overall health of the individual church – in order to create vision, mission, and objectives for their ministry. Attention will also be given to administration, policies and child protection.
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Understand the history of children’s ministry, particularly its teachings on the role and purpose of the child and their understanding of salvation, in order to articulate the value of a child in the church family.
- Understand the educational and philosophical theories behind today’s Children’s Ministry teaching models in order to choose a model that biblically aligns itself to a specific church’s philosophy of ministry.
- Use given evaluation markers to assess the health of their Children’s Ministry and overall Church Ministry, in order to facilitate the incorporation of children within the church family and ensure the spiritual health of children.
- Create a personal philosophy of Children’s Ministry based on biblical, spiritual, educational, developmental, sociological, and philosophical guidelines.
- Create a vision and mission statement, with supporting objectives to promote the ministry of children within the Church and Community.
- Have a thorough understanding of the administration and policies needed within Children’s Ministry to ensure the protection of the child, the volunteer and the ministry leader.
This online class will next run from January – April, 2012. You must have ready access to a computer and high speed internet. Class involves lively discussion forums, creating strong interaction between students and the professor. Assignments tend to be on a weekly basis. Students are required to participate on a weekly basis, but can access class materials at any time throughout the week, at their convenience.
To view the masters level syllabus that was used for the 2010 course, click here.
Melodie Bissell has a wealth of Children’s Ministry expertise. She started ministering to chidlren in the mid-1970′s and has never lost her passion for children.
Melodie is a gifted communicator, problem solver, team builder and visionary leader. She is passionate about evangelism and discipleship and seeing the church minister to their community. She has initiaited numerous ministries to children, whether a telephone story line with 24/7 counseling receiving 40,000 calls a year, or a camping ministry to inner city children in Tornoto.
Melodie is the president and founder of Winnings Kids Inc. As well, she currently serves as the National Children’s Facilitator for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and sits on the Children’s Ministry Roundtable with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Melodie is co-author of ‘Plan to Protect,’ and author of ‘Winning Kids Children’s Ministry Marathon.’ She has served as adjunct professor in the area of Children’s Ministry at Heritage College and the School of Urban Biblical Studies. Melodie completed her MDV from Tyndale seminary in January 2010.
Melodie, along with her husband Scott, have three children.
Please read Program Options for a clear understanding of undergrad versus graduate level, and credit versus not-for-credit.
See Course Costs.
This course is currently not open for registration. Registration will open in fall of 2012.
For more information regarding this course please contact Annie Yeo, Interim Program Coordinator, at 604.888.7592 or Annie.Yeo@twu.ca.
