Children's Encounter and Transitioning the Children's Ministry

Equipping/Encounter weekends for children

The following are outlines for Encounter weekends for children. They flow with the themes of the adults and involve the parents at an appropriate level. The object should be to make them as accessible as possible, whilst not compromising the values that underpin them.

• Envision the parents about the content of the weekends.
• Tell them about the role they will play.
• Give all the dates of the 4 weekends.
• Ask them to give a commitment to all 4 weekends. (if this is not possible they can always wait for the next 4 encounters)
• Allow them to ask questions.
• Ask them to fast and pray for their children when they are on a weekend.

If the parents are not Christians it is still important that they come to the parents evening and give permission for their child to go on the Encounters. It is also vital to involve them to the highest level possible.

• Need to be creative and experiential
• Have the rooms appropriately decorated (the décor can be used time and again on the weekends)
• Ideally be about bi-monthly
• Children love to sleep over...if the Encounter is held Friday night through Saturday it is highly likely that Saturday will be spent with very tired children! Perhaps Saturday through to Sunday mid day might be more appropriate.
• Have 2 teams of helpers - 1 team to organise the games and the other to take the ministry times
• Children can quickly move from fun and games to ministry. However it is good if boundaries can be in place of having different teams of helpers for each, and having a room set apart for the ministry. Each room having its own décor.
• The time should be fast moving (perhaps half hour slots).

Encounter 1

• Ensure the children are born again and that they have assurance of their salvation.
• Give them a greater understanding of repentance.
• Ensure that they have experienced and understand the Holy Spirit.

Parents can be asked to go into another room when the children are bought to the Encounter. There they can find notepaper and envelopes and are asked to write a love letter to their child and put it on their pillow at home for when the child returns.

Encounter 2

• Give children the opportunity of allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to their hurts and bondages.
• Help them to understand something of Spiritual warfare and how to protect themselves.
• Give parents the opportunity of praying for their children and together looking at areas that may be bringing problems into the lives of their children e.g. videos, music, language.

Parents are asked to stay for some of this weekend to minister to their children, and agree with them about changes that may be appropriate.

Encounter 3

• Help children to understand that they are called to fulfil the great Commission.
• Equip them to give the gospel and lead their friends to Jesus.
• Put the world in their hearts, write to missionaries that the church supports, experience something of other countries.

When parents come and collect the children they can "lead them to Jesus" and together can pray for the nations.

Encounter 4

• Help the children to experience something of the identity of the local church in which they belong. E.g. Praise and Worship, specific outreach that the church is involved in, dance, drama etc.

Parents (and siblings) can be invited to a celebration party to conclude the weekends.