Blueprints for Children's Ministry

Overview

From the moment life begins and through all the years that follow, God entrusts His children to us first at home and then in our church family. Blueprints for Children’s Ministry can help churches with this responsibility. In this book, the author covers the basics for children’s ministry, addressing questions such as these:

• Why build a children’s ministry?
• What’s the difference between children’s ministry and child ministry?
• How can children’s ministry be constructed? 

This useful book offers Scripture-based tools for building children’s ministry in your church. The pages hold definitions, clarity of ministry, and direction. Both professional church workers and volunteers will find joy in serving as they construct blueprints to lay a solid faith foundation for children while partnering with parents. A bonus song is included!

About the Author

Kim E. Bestian is a trained Lutheran elementary school teacher, director of children’s ministry, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves to share how God, the Almighty Architect, has helped her build children’s ministry over her many years of experience.

Praise for Blueprints

“Whether your children’s ministry program is well developed, in need of tweaking, or just beginning, Blueprints for Children’s Ministry is a great resource for envisioning, planning, and conducting a vibrant ministry for children. Kim E. Bestian guides readers through a step-by-step process useful in building a Children’s Ministry program. Included are a wealth of blueprint samples of components that can be readily adapted to the ministry of your church. Her inspiration for Children’s Ministry is hearing children express, “I can’t wait to be there.” This can be your inspiration too!”
—Rebecca S. Schmidt, Ed.D., Associate Director of Schools, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

“When you read Blueprints for Children’s Ministry, you will read the passion and love Kim has for children and her Lord and Savior. She has shared a comprehensive blueprint for any congregation to engage in a most important part of the church’s mission: children’s ministry! Kim’s Blueprints is written so you can design for your congregation the scope and realm of what you plan to do and how to go there, with evaluations along the way. What a beautiful description to help and encourage congregations for the wonderful mission and ministry for children. Well done, Kim; the Lord bless your endeavors in sharing Blueprints for Children’s Ministry!”
—Rev. Allen D. Anderson, President, Rocky Mountain District, and Pastor, Mount Zion Lutheran Church

“Blueprints for Children’s Ministry should be open on the desk of every congregational leader. Kim E. Bestian, an experienced Director of Children’s Ministry with a huge heart for God’s youngest ones, has put together a book that can help every church build its ministry for and with children from the ground up. Biblically based in every aspect, Blueprints is easy to read and follow. This book not only shows the reasons for a good children’s ministry program, but it also takes congregations step by step through the whole process, including a set of “blueprints” that ensures every phase along the way.”
—Martha Streufert Jander, Author, Editor, and Early Childhood Consultant

“I am thrilled that Kim Bestian has reflected upon her years of children’s ministry to share insights in this ready-to-go volume helping churches and schools nurture faith in children from birth through grade 6. Prepared blueprints offer examples to accomplish each task. Whether you are beginning a children’s ministry or want to expand or evaluate an existing program, Blueprints for Children’s Ministry will guide you through the process. Focusing on important elements of children’s ministry, such as Christian education, ministry opportunities for children, and parental relationships, Kim coaches readers to build a program and prepare a team to accomplish your goals.”
—Laurie A. Friedrich, Ph.D., Teaching, Learning, & Teacher Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

“Thank God for equipping Kim Bestian to speak on behalf of children and the church’s ministry to them and their families!  Blueprints is a perfect name for this resource chock-full of attractive, user-friendly, ready-to-use, practical samples.  These reproducible pages provide leaders with tools to lay a solid foundation, build a sound ministry, and creatively grow their attempts to reach more children for Jesus—children who will exclaim, ‘I can’t wait to be there!’”
—Cynthia Brown, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Family Life, Concordia University, Ann Arbor, and author, Energizing Your Children’s Ministry

“The analogy of using a construction framework to building a children’s ministry is a concrete (no pun intended) approach to explaining the necessary blueprints needed for anyone seeking to launch or restructure the children’s ministry in their church. This extremely useful step-by-step resource focuses first and foremost on raising up young disciples and the impact the church has on nurturing their faith. You will learn practical information as it relates to volunteers, curriculum, safety, parent collaboration, and much more. The Scripture passages throughout remind us that God as the Foreman will be the one leading your children’s ministry to fruition. From hard hats and safety glasses to the armor of God, you have the opportunity to stand firm and take up the shield of faith as you begin this exciting endeavor.”
—Melissa A. Smith, Assistant Professor and Early Childhood Coordinator, College of Education, Concordia University Chicago

“Blueprints for Children’s Ministry is a relevant, needed, and timely resource. The state of our world makes it essential to teach children and disciple families so parents have models for sharing the faith with their children. From safety guidelines, peacemaking, discipline, and teacher training, this book contains great resources for getting started with children’s ministry. It will let you avoid reinventing the wheel while creating a vibrant, Gospel-sharing, child ministry program.”
—Kim Marxhausen, Ph.D., Education consultant, author, and speaker

“Written from the heart, this book provides valuable insight into the importance of children’s ministry in the Church, as well as the many directions in which such a ministry can go. Drawing on years of experience in children’s ministry, the author includes many practical suggestions for establishing and maintaining such a program, with an emphasis upon the joy to be found in such work. A basic book for all congregations seeking to follow Jesus’ command to let the little children come to Him.”
—Anita Reith Stohs, Author and Christian Education Consultant