Youth & Children’s Ministry equips churches, parents, and ministry leaders to disciple the next generation with biblical clarity and lasting care. Explore practical resources on teaching Scripture to kids and students, creating safe and welcoming environments, partnering with families, developing volunteers, and building ministries that form lifelong faith. You’ll find guidance for age-appropriate curriculum, small groups, outreach, worship, and mentoring—along with wisdom for navigating cultural pressures and supporting students through formative seasons. Whether you lead a children’s program, youth group, or family ministry, these articles help you serve young people in Jesus’ name.
Children’s ministry leaders are serving kids carrying heavy burdens in an age of rising anxiety. Learn to recognize signs of hurt, create calmer ministry environments, respond with compassion, and care for caregivers with sustainable rhythms.
What do Gen Z and Gen Alpha think about faith—and what should churches do next? Luke Proctor explores concerning trends, surprising hope, and three practical choices to help pass the baton to the next generation.
Tyler McKenzie reflects on revival talk among young adults and campus ministries, shares encouraging research trends, and calls churches and parents to reframe evangelism by investing intentionally in passing faith to the next generation.
The "Step Forward" program is intentionally raising up students to be leaders in the church and teaching them to make disciples.
John S. Dickerson warns that mission drift can take root over time and calls the Restoration Movement to prioritize spiritual and intellectual formation. His Youth Worldview Initiative aims to help students “hold to” Jesus’ teaching across generations.
September 1, 2023
By Jacob Stewart We have seen the data. We have heard the news. We get it. Gen Z is the worst. At least that is what I am accustomed to hearing. Generation Z (comprised of people born from 1997 to 2012) may go down in history as the most analyzed, picked on, studied, and bashed generation in the world . . . right next to Millennials (those born 1981–96). Have you seen the memes? It’s brutal out there. As a youth pastor for 10 years, I have worked closely with Gen Z. I agree with my current high school ministry
We Couldn’t Find Curriculum That Met Our Children’s Ministry Needs . . . So We Created Our Own (and We’ve Made It Available to You)! By Larry Cramer My two daughters have grown up in church. Whether it’s on a Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, or any other day and time, my daughters have always attended a church experience built just for them. I am speaking of Next Gen programming . . . specifically, kids’ ministry. Over the years, we have seen many changes in kids’ ministry, including changes to curriculum. While churches have many great options, as a
As a father, a student ministry volunteer, and a college professor, I offer these 10 suggestions of what I would teach in student ministry to help prepare resilient and growing disciples of Jesus.
What is the future of kids’ ministry and how can churches successfully adapt to meet the challenges?
By Chris Moon In her 20 years in children’s ministry at Fairview Christian Church in Carthage, Mo., Angie Fewin has never seen anything like COVID-19 and the effects it has had on the local church. “We’ve had to rethink everything,” she said. Just as senior pastors and church elders across the country have been working out how to reestablish in-person worship services as government stay-at-home orders are lifting, so children’s ministers are trying to figure out how to return their ministries to some semblance of normal—or at least to a new normal. And there’s no time to lose. Summer—the highlight
By Rick Willis “I can’t do that. . . . I’m oriented to leading adults.” The children’s ministry coordinator at Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon, Missouri, was recruiting volunteers for a new rotational program on Sunday mornings, and he had challenged me—a man in his 60s—to get involved with the 2- to 5-year-olds. The concept was new to us: one hour of continuous activity broken down into 15-minute segments (or stations), with kids rotating from a lesson, to crafts, to snacks, and to music. Two people would lead the children from room to room, with volunteers at each station
December 14, 2019
By Gary L. Johnson “Christmas is for children,” declares one song of the season. We can see the truth of that statement in society simply by observing parents and grandparents as they buy gifts to make children’s Christmas wishes come true. As elders, we understand the importance of children all year round. We have a serious problem in the church that will directly impact the next generation and can claim the spiritual lives of countless people. Elder teams must respond quickly with strength and wisdom from God so we can avert this crisis. The Problem Elders need to be keenly
November 2, 2019
By Teresa Welch Just 25 years ago, children’s ministry was commonly described as childcare with Bible stories and Goldfish crackers. Children were either kept away from the sanctuary or were made to sit quietly with parents during the sermon. Churches were waiting for children to grow up before investing in them fully. Today, thankfully, children’s ministry is a spiritual greenhouse rather than a spiritual waiting room. Children are front and center and actively learning. Each child is given attention and spiritual nourishment to grow into a disciple of Christ. Why this change? It began when churches realized that building a
November 2, 2019
A brief history (and the continuing legacy) of this innovative and influential publisher’s true-to-the-Bible children’s ministry resources By Margie Redford “I grew up on Standard Publishing.” Thousands of adults today could make this claim—including me! My home church, First Christian Church in Columbiana, Ohio, was a strong advocate for teaching biblical truths and sound doctrine. The leaders turned to The Standard Publishing Company for both their children’s Sunday school and Vacation Bible School materials. Thanks to my mother’s careful saving of important documents, I still have numerous certificates of promotion printed by Standard Publishing. They form a spiritual timeline of
November 2, 2019
By Dave Milam In a society in moral decline, it’s critical for churches to have the most effective tools to disciple the next generation. We also live in an age of shrinking church budgets, ever-expanding demands, and fierce competition. So, whether you are a parent or a children’s ministry worker, the following seven trends will help you navigate the challenge of serving the American church in a post-Christian world. _ 1. ADVANCED SECURITY PROTOCOLS Imagine time-traveling to 1953. On a stroll down the main street you might see locals sipping Coca-Cola on the corner and children actually playing outside. The
November 2, 2019
This chart accompanies Kelly Carr’s “Children’s Ministry Curriculum Decisions” article in our December 2019 issue.
November 2, 2019
Our Recent Survey Reveals What Christian Churches Are Using Today to Teach Our Children . . . and How They Are Adapting Them By Kelly Carr Caring for the youngest in our churches is no small feat. There are many moving parts to manage: volunteers, lesson plans, parent communication, volunteers, safety strategies, worship services, volunteers, engaging activities, biblical instruction. And did we mention volunteers? To equip those volunteers and provide for your young churchgoers, you need the right curriculum. Yet finding resources for your children’s ministry can be a series of trial and error decisions as you seek the most
November 2, 2019
A Passion for Reaching More Children—and Their Families—for Christ By Pam Siddle Dwight L. Moody once said,“If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.” We have a similar commitment at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, and God is using our children’s ministry to attract families to worship with us and ultimately reach more children for him. Here’s how we’re doing this. Facilities Having a visually appealing, kid-friendly building is very important. Families love seeing areas designed specifically for children, and the kids are excited to be there. Our members
November 2, 2019
Historic Church Serves Youth, Savors the Growth By Justin Horey Leading an effective children’s ministry is a lot like baking a cake. It’s important to have the right tools, a complete recipe, and all the necessary ingredients. Even with all of those things in place, the process can still be messy. But as First Christian Church of Monticello, Kentucky, is proving, the results can be sweet. “Raccoon” John Smith, the renowned 19th-century evangelist, started First Christian Church in the tiny frontier town of Monticello in 1831. By the time senior minister Joe Tipton arrived at the church in 2011, Monticello
November 2, 2019
The Team It Takes to Help Families and Kids Find Their Way Back to God By Kathy Ives The best thing about being part of a multisite kids’ ministry team is the built-in support and fellowship with multiple leaders. Most of our locations have their own kids’ directors, and together we make a fantastic and diverse team. Our directors are fully invested in kids and families, and they understand not only our church dynamics but the complicated nature of kids’ ministry. Together we discuss new creative ideas and solutions at regular meetings. On top of that, our newer directors
Sponsored
Sponsored
Sponsored
June 26, 2026
Jerry Harris
June 25, 2026
Lonetta McKee
June 23, 2026
Tyler McKenzie