Children’s Ministries in New Zealand
We aim to equip churches, families, carers and homes with the resources and training to connect children to a lifelong, loving relationship with Jesus and His church. We want every child to encounter Jesus and have a lifelong loving relationship with him.
Children’s Ministries Coordinator
You have been asked to serve as a Children’s Ministries Coordinator – for children 0-14 years. Children need to be disciples of Jesus NOW. What a wonderful opportunity you have to help them build a lifelong, loving relationship to Jesus and His church through discipleship, worship, community, service, stewardship and outreach.
Specific Responsibilities
- chair the Children’s Ministries Committee (made up of the leaders of children’s Sabbath Schools, children’s outreach/ VBS, worship leader and other ministries for children)
- implement the GraceLink Sabbath School curriculum and provide training for leaders and teachers
- work with the Children’s Ministries Committee and Church Board to plan and implement a yearly calendar of family-friendly children’s events and participation in all church activities
- work with Children’s Committee to develop a budget and present the budget to the Church Board
- serve as an advocate for the interests and needs of children to the:
- Church Board to report concerns, success and needs
- Senior pastor and ministry leaders to ensure integrated strategy and inclusiveness – families involved in ministry and mission – children involved in small groups (e.g. Kids in Discipleship Bible studies)
- Senior pastor and ministry leaders to provided strategies to reach unchurched children
- Worship leader/pastor regarding special events such as baby dedication, child commitment ceremony, baptism, Children’s Sabbath (1st Sabbath in October), families involved in worship
- other children’s leaders (praying, supporting and collaboration)
- take steps to maintain high moral and ethical quality of leadership for the children by screening leaders and volunteers, ensuring they complete child safety forms
- oversee a permanent file of all children attending the church
- communicate with, equip, support and encourage all children’s leaders
- partner with and communicate to parents to ensure that they are equipped to develop children’s faith at home
- work with the Conference Children’s Ministries Director, communicating information and preparing statistical reports for the Conference
Children’s Ministries coordinators must be committed to:
- Jesus Christ and a growing relationship with Him
- Christ-centred ministry to children
- The Seventh-day Adventist Church and its beliefs
- A balanced Christian lifestyle
- Teamwork
- Cooperative ministry working with children’s ministries committee, church pastor, church board, other church leaders and parents
- Personal growth in spiritual formation of children and teaching skills
Meet the Children’s Ministries Team
Are you a new leader in your church or looking for help with your ministry? Please contact us as we would love to help you.
Rosalie McFarlane
General Secretary
North New Zealand Conference
Victor Kulakov
Discipleship Ministries Leader
New Zealand Pasific Union Conference
Edwina Davis
Departmental Assistant, Pathfinder & Adventurer Director
South New Zealand Conference
Events & Special Days
Global Youth and Children’s Day
Traditionally celebrated observed in March
World Day of Prayer for Children at Risk
Traditionally celebrated observed in May
Children’s Sabbath
Traditionally celebrated last Sabbath in July
Downloadable Files
Children’s Ministries Resources
South Pacific Division
Children’s Ministries Website with lots of resouces to help equip churches, families, carers and homes with the resources and training to connect children to a lifelong, loving relationship with Jesus and His church.
General Conference
Children’s Ministries Website
AdSafe
Requirements for people who work with children
Faith Shaper
Faith shaper is a fantastic all-of-church discipleship framework. It describes 7 key areas that we all need to grow our faith, whether we are kids or adults
The Tuis
The Tui family are a Pacific Island family who lives in Northern Australia. They live in a great neighbourhood with friends and neighbours just nearby
Advent Source
If you’re a new Children’s Ministries leader, this page is a great place to get started
Sabbath School Lessons
GraceLink
Sabbath School Lessons for Beginners (0-2 years), Kindergarten (3-4 years) and Primary (5-9 years)
Junior PowerPoints
Sabbath School curriculum for Junior (ages 10-12)
Real-Time Faith
Sabbath School curriculum for Earliteens (ages 13-14)
Cornerstone Connections
Sabbath School curriculum for Teens (ages 15-18)