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

Rosalie McFarlane

General Secretary

North New Zealand Conference

Victor Kulakov

Victor Kulakov

Discipleship Ministries Leader

New Zealand Pasific Union Conference

Edwina Davis

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

Sabbath School - Children & Teen
pdf

Childrens 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. This guide has been designed to help you get started in this ministry.
Size: 369.56 KB
pdf

2024 NNZC Calendar Planner

UPDATED 6 March 2024. Year Planner. North New Zealand Conference Calendar of meetings and Events.
Size: 581.33 KB
pdf

2024 NNZC Calendar A4

UPDATED 6 March 2024. A4. North New Zealand Conference Calendar of meetings and Events.
Size: 160.49 KB

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)