PROPOSAL

“STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING

A CONCENTRATION IN CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY”

Prof. Paul Conway B.A. MDIV.

Zion Bible College 2007
Barrington, RI 02806
GOAL FOR THIS PREPOSAL

 To facilitate discussion, exploration and ultimately establish authorization for the conditions of a
Children’s and Family ministry major.

 Explore options and to define the boundaries, budgets, leadership, structures and approval
necessary for its success in print and verbal agreement.

PURPOSE STATEMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY DEPARTMENT

To DISCOVER the needs of the local church in children’s ministry, DEVELOP a program, team and
delivery system conducive to the broad and unique audience, INFORM them of our existence IVITING to
participate in attendance, networking, and giving while IGNITING them with the passion, and practice
for building Gods kingdom through Children and family ministries.

THE OPPORTUNITY AND NEED

1. Children’s Ministry is the number one growing position to Sr. Pastor Position openings by 1,000%
(one thousand percent) according to online job posting opportunities.

2. There are several undergraduate colleges (Central Bible College, North Western, and Valley Forge
Christian College etc) who offer children’s ministry as a major.

3. There is one A.G. Institution offering Children’s Ministry through online education
(www.childrensministryuniversity.com through Valley Forge and Dick Gruber).

4. There are only two institutions (to my knowledge) offering a MA in Children and Family Ministry
(Bethel University/Seminary, http://seminary.bethel.edu/ & Talbot Theological Seminary,
http://www.talbot.edu/ ).

5. Statistical Analysis:

a. 80% of visitors with children will determine to stay or leave the church based on the
quality of the children’s ministry even if the adult ministry is sub standard.

b. 85% of all leaders and lay leaders in the church today were given some form of
opportunity to serve the church as children. This is because leadership to children’s
ministry existed in the church.

c. 32% of all converts who make life long commitments to Christ do so before the age of 13.

d. Morality is learned behavior. The moral structure of an individual is primarily in place by

age 9 and significantly remains unchanged throughout their life time.

e. An abandonment to the Parental responsibility to spiritually form their children. 90% of

parents feel their church is doing an adequate job spiritually forming their children while
85% feel they personally are inadequate to do the task. So they abdicate it to the church.
 6. Since 50% of all marriages end in divorce and the church is straining to see itself through the
metaphor God used, the family.

7. More finances have been spent on this generation of children by parents then any other.

8. National opportunities for children ministers is significant. My ear and office are constantly
getting requests for possible students while none come in for youth or associate position requests.

9. The low pool of individuals professionally and collegially trained and educated for Family
ministry. Most on line job postings request Children pastors 700% more than most other
positions.

OBSTACLES & ASSESSMENT

1. STRATEGIC PLANNING

a. Isolation of Planning: The strategic planning and progress are done in a vacuum separate
from the faculty who bear 100% of the teaching responsibility for the decisions being
made.

b. Lack of dialog and discussion: There appears to have been little dialog on the possible
challenges transitioning from a children and youth minor to majors.

c. Evaluation of the Church’s need in light of current and future teaching and training
techniques have not been done in consultation with the target audience we are seeking to
serve, the church.

d. Philosophy: The philosophy of motivation seems unchecked by an undertone assumption

that an increase in program majors will result in increased attendance.

e. Evaluation of faculty responsibilities in this department have not been discussed as little
as six months prior to the suggested initiation date of the responsible faculty.

f. Hindrance of Traditional Educational Model: Strategic planning toward bending the

traditional educational model to reach a broader student who is already in ministry or a
career and does ministry on the side.

g. Two majors are being added in one semester six months before initiating the program.

h. Salary Adjustments: No salary compensation has been offered to any faculty in this dept.
who would be working throughout the summer beyond what they would be should this
process be initiated.

i. The initiation of one major is challenging, the institution of two majors without proper
support staff, overwhelming.

2. FUNDING

a. Promotion at necessary events for recruiting locally, regionally and nationally.

 b. Networking Conferences such as NASCE (North American Professors of Christian
Education), District events and Zion sponsored events, General Counsel, The CPC
Conference in Orlando Florida and San Diego CA, A.G. National Children’s Pastor’s
Conference and more crucial for networking and exposure in the narrow field of children’s
ministry.

c. Travel: Travel expenses necessary for those who are the core members in this department.

d. Promotional material such as business cards, web page resources, promotional video,
School Catalog and dept. information etc.

e. Recruiting pools where potential students can be found like the CPC Conference in
Orlando, FL and San Diego, CA.

f. Educational and Physical Equipment such as projectors, computers, Puppets and Stages,
ministry tools.

g. Grants, Scholarships or Endowments That would attract potential students.

h. Adjunct Salaries and Seminars That would expand the network necessary to develop a
team able to offer quality education.

i. Secretarial Support: There is no secretarial support offered beyond 4-8 hours of TA’s

j. Other: This is not exhaustive and contains hidden costs as well

3. TEACHERS & TEACHING

a. Over extended faculty: Current Prof. teaching children and youth are already overworked
with five classes. The work structure does not promote healthy teaching prep. or healthy
boundaries.

b. Lack of Qualified Educators: There are very few children’s ministers or educators who
possess the field experience and academic credentials such as an M.A., MDiv. Ed.D., Dr.
or PhD. in our Zion network or District.

c. Limited use of Jr. or Assistant Teachers in this dept.: There is only one Prof. in the
Youth and Children’s Dept. with an M.A. being used. Two support faculty (Heath McCoy
and Barbie Saddler are not used to their full potential as support faculty in this dept).

d. Conferences: Previous attempts have been made to conduct a low cost children’s
convention and were met with a conflict of interest and event by the district.

e. Hands on Experience: The current model limits the prof. to theory. Practice is only
given through the Helps department. The philosophy of that tool is divorced from the
classroom requirements and hands on experience.

4. CURRENT DELIVERY SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AT ZION:

 a. Traditional Modes not conducive to the contemporary student: Most children’s
workers are not currently seeking a BA because they the many either volunteer or are in a
phase of life where they are settled with families. The traditional model of a four year
institution postures inflexible to the contemporary student.

b. Distant Education: There is no distant learning model in place in the present or

foreseeable future without extreme intensive labor and resource (No quality studio
equipment).

c. Modelers: No modular educational structures in place for off campus individuals. By this
I mean a on to two week on residency with proportionate off site requirements for
accreditation purposes.

d. Seminars: Most children’s ministers consider conferences Zion currently offers only a
Youth Seminar during the Campus Experience. Since children’s pastors do not bring their
kids to Zion for this event it requires a more creative and unorthodox approach.

5. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

a. Conferences: No conferences are offered or given to core faculty or assistants in this dept.

b. Continuing Education: No educational incentives are given to those in faculty positions in

this dept.

6. DEPARTMENT HEAD STRUCTURE:

a. Current Structure: Zion has chosen to place all children and youth ministry programming
under the department of Christian Education.

b. None of the two leaders directing this department has ever provided training, granted
vision and direction for the children’s ministry minor.

c. None of the previous or current department heads for Children’s ministry have taught
children’s ministry courses.

d. In my two years at Zion I have never had a conversation once initiated by my department
head about the success, failure, progress, or need for myself personally or professionally
relating to the children’s ministry minor.

e. Classes having students with five students or less have been converted to directed research
in other departments while twice I have been required to keep full semester classes with
students between 1-4 in enrollment.

7. SUPPORT & PROMOTION:

a. Promotion & Helps Dept: We currently do not go to private schools. Rather than
utilizing students stronger for
 b. District: SNED’s Lack of Support concerning children’s ministry. No significant staffing
for a children’s ministry director and average programming effort given in this dept.

c. Department Head: Seeming indifference from the department head’s who should be
providing resource comradery and inspiration.

d. AG National Headquarters: No direct support. (Progress is being made here in the

Children’s Ministry Department).

e. Alumni: Not sure where they stand or if in the end it really matters in our current or future
situation. Would like to know how they do if this is not the case.

f. Zion Promotion Dept. No funds have been designated for promotion for this dept. There
has been no promotion in literature, web, networking, email or any other aspect.

8. VISION:

a. Vision is not shared vision: It is being legislated and set by or in the hands of those who
possess it in their heart rather than being cast, shared and rallied around. Moral is very low
and direction more unstable than it needs to be. Imagine the power of those possessing
passion vs. passing responsibility as a work obligation. Volunteers with no salary but
vision can accomplish more than paid workers who have no direction or sense of
significance.

b. President: No president has been installed and if one comes there is no promise he would
even value this department in ways necessary for its success.

c. Interim President: Is over extended and will not establish policy or vision since he
anticipates his presence as temporal. Therefore his support or lack there of is not a
significant contributor for the success of failure of this program change.

ACTION PLAN INITIALLY ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES

1. STRATEGIC PLANNING

a. A Committee: A Committee be created to guide, adjust, explore, evaluate, and execute the
process of establishing the Children and Family Ministries dept. major. This includes key
faculty who are qualified and experienced in this area of ministry outside of an institutional
setting.

b. Draft a Strategic plan: A strategic plan with realistic time lines be drafted that would pass
the approval of the academic Dean and committee.

c. Students utilized as workers: Helps students be assigned to this department for

secretarial work as well as a team of 5-10 students for contacting the churches of New
England to assessing the needs. The end result would be to develop a directory of current
children’s ministry leaders and inform them of the upcoming tract at the school. Surveys
 could be done for poling the needs, gathered by Sr. Pastors or potential students for
creative delivery systems and courses offered.

d. Philosophy of Ministry: Be defined by the committee and drafted to paper as a guideline

for behavior. Since many things can drive ambition or action defining the philosophy it is
important to define what the department and major would be serving.

e. Evaluation of Faculty responsibilities: The faculty of this dept. would be comparative to

academic institutions comparative to Zion both in and out of the fellowship. This would
not necessarily define the limits of faculty’s sacrifice. But it would put the level of
reasonable service into perspective. Places to compare would be Grace Bible College,
Northwestern, V.F.C.C., Evangel, Central Bible College, Eastern Nazarene etc.

f. Educational Model Delivery systems: Unconventional options be integrated into the

strategic plan for delivering educational opportunities to our target audience. We also
exploit educational opportunities beyond our target audience (four year undergraduate
students) and create delivery systems that could provide audit’s conferences etc. The goal
being to serve the needs of the local church and unconventional student outside our narrow
definition.

g. Salary: The committee explores fair compensation for salary of lead faculty, adjunct,
seminar speakers etc. Also explore compensation for additional work given to the
development and promotion of the department. This would include compensation for
travel and promotion as well as seminars, online and modular courses etc.
i. Base Salary remains on par with current faculty
ii. Increase in salary can happen from a portion of the endowments that come
into the program. This would be the benefit of the labor for conducting
development that proves successful. The detail of this would be discussed and
agreed upon prior to funds being secured.

2. FUNDING

a. Assessment: Asses creative areas to re-channel funds to the promotion and development
of children and family ministries promotion.

b. Promotion Integrate promotion through the already existing channels such as the Vision,
traveling teams, Mailings, Campus experience events, printed materials etc.

c. Endowments: Appeal to 10 national churches that significantly support children’s

ministry and see if they would underwrite a grant/fund for the development of the
children’s and family ministry dept.

d. National Headquarters: See if the national children’s dept. would support our efforts
with product and even a seminar or two.

e. Travel: A credit card that accrues frequent flyer points be used for $50,000 of our annual
purchases and the points be given for two round trip tickets in the USA for Conference and
Networking purposes..
 f. Educational and Physical Equipment: An equipment budget be established for the
needs of this dept. Appeals to alumni mentioning specific items be mentioned..

g. Grants, Scholarships or Endowments The School offers creative tuition discounts.

h. Seminars and Conventions: A “low cost” fee be charged that produces money that goes
back into the department for further development expenses.

i. Adjunct Salaries and Seminars Prof. uses pastors in the field of work that come in to do
one or two lectures relieving the work load of the lead teachers. Adjuncts are hired as the
student body increases.

j. Secretarial Support: 1 Helps students be assigned to this dept. with secretarial skills 10-
12 hours from additional students using floating hours be given each week.

k. Other: This is not exhaustive and contains hidden costs as well

l. Promotion Dept: Funds be channeled from the promotion dept. to send key individuals
teaching to significant locations for networking such as the CPC (Children’s Pastors
Conference), NAPCE (North American Professors of Christian Education) and General
Counsel.

3. TEACHERS & TEACHING

a. Adjuncts and Full Time Hires with MA or higher: Since the current prof. course load is
overbearing a possible solution could be utilizing adjunct faculty who have the credentials.
We should also consider using multiple seminar session speakers under the direction of a
qualified academic to relieve the load and give students exposure by those doing the work
of the ministry in the trenches.

b. Hands on training:

i. A practicum course is integrated into the tract.

ii. Students are not sent to H.E.L.P.S. churches where they receive work but no
mentoring. Instead church ministry with mentoring becomes part of the course
training.
iii. One church is selected for students in this tract to work with. Once the group
grows, so do the training sites.
iv. This builds a bridge between the great chasm of theory and prof. directed training.
A lab fee is charged for materials plus supplies and the proof. or on site director
receives compensation for their services in proportion to a summer class.

c. Fair distribution of Course load and student ratio: We create and execute a program
that does not burn out faculty by overloading them. If a course lacks enough students to
have the momentum necessary (10 or more students) the course offering is postponed until
the demand requires the supply. Teaching a course to 3 students still requires the same
amount of work for 20. We must distribute our efforts wisely.

d. Key Faculty are sent to two annual training seminars to keep relevant and on the
cutting edge: This could be reduced to one annual seminar alternating youth and children
 like the CPC Conference and Youth Specialties. However, adequate training and
contemporary exposure seems appropriate and necessary for producing competitive
educational models.

e. Educational Materials are Purchased: Either a course from Bethel Seminary in

Children and Family Education or online courses from Children’s Ministry University. To
further our exposure of what successful programs are doing well

4. CURRENT DELIVERY SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AT ZION

a. Combine Core Classes:

i. Merge core classes as one. Offer the intro and pastoral courses for youth and
children as one and separate them for 50% of the lectures with seminar speakers.
In separation sessions they would focus on materials specific to their field of
specialization.

b. Modular & Summer Classes: Offer modular courses that require limited residency.
i. Theses could take place on campus during summer months.
ii. Satellite locations like CPC San Diego CA or Orlando Fl. As well as using
qualified leaders in locations like Calvary Christian Church in Lynnfield MA
(Jamie Booth MDiv. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary).

c. Offer a Bi-annual schedule that rotates: This allows courses to be developed well and
gives time for enrollment to reach a number worthy of the effort in the initial phases.

d. Seminar Sessions: Conduct regular seminars and retreats that could be utilized towards
credit. This would cater to the need of the church more than our desire to gather four year
students. However, I think in the long run it would produce exposure that could attract far
more students if we did nothing. The philosophy here is find what the local church needs
and meet it for training. The end result would be exposure and reputation for the program.

e. On Line Education: This will require reviewing some of the work Dick Gruber has been
doing with Children’s Ministry University. At V.F.C.C.

f. Independent Studies in conjunction with Reputable conferences: Perhaps combine a

CPC Conference of the International Children’s Pastors Conference, or a national/sectional
AG Conference hosted by us that has elements of conference work and independent study
that meets accreditation requirements.

5. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

a. Natalie Training Locations: Rather than a distribution of students to many churches that
merely use them to run programs they are not yet ready to run, we find core sites that have
the staff, resource and philosophy of ministry that will ensure the students positive
development toward a professional final product. Too many students are being given the
responsibility of running churches children ministries dept. This is a conflict of interest to
their healthy development.
6. DEPARTMENT HEAD STRUCTURE

a. Give the Dept. its own dept. head or be sure the dept head is empowering this dept. They
must have a heart for children and youth ministry.

7. SUPPORT & PROMOTION

a. Traveling team Dept. A “promotional” team be developed to go out once to twice a
month to conduct events that promote the value education and the value of children’s
ministry. This would consist of students. Some suggestions:
i. Local, Regional and National Church services: Scheduling a “Family Service”
that gives families and churches a demonstration of the value of our program.

ii. Denominational Networking: Create events that would support the district that do
not currently exist such as “Fun Arts” (Fine Arts Festival for kids) or Sectional
Children’s rallies.

iii. Networking: With non denominational conventions like “Congress” or “CPC

Orlando”
b. Zion: Utilizes the following departments and resources.

i. Promotion Dept: Funds be channeled from the promotion dept. to send key
individuals teaching to significant locations for networking such as the CPC
(Children’s Pastors Conference), NAPCE (North American Professors of Christian
Education) and General Counsel.

ii. Traveling Team Funds: Be used to send the children’s ministry promotion team
to locations of significant potential such as camps, churches etc.

c. AG National Headquarters: Children’s Ministry and Family Ministry dept. place us in

their literature and offer their team members as consultants.

d. Alumni: Alumni dept. promotes the tract and many evolving aspects of this dept. This
could be done through quotes from respected people on the importance of Children’s and
Family Ministries. The alumni mailing list, Vision and email list be used as an avenue of
communication.

e. Zion Promotion Dept. No funds have been designated for promotion for this dept. There
has been no promotion in literature, web, networking, email or any other aspect.

i. Web Space: Be allotted to the dept. and those developing Zion’s web page as a
whole would be utilized to develop the web resources for this dept.

ii. Recruitment Dept: Would expand their display and literature to promote this dept
and tract.

iii. DVD: Promotional video utilizing Zion resources would be made to promote the
dept. It is mailed to local churches and displays our seminars for church worker
training along with our academic tract. Also put on the web and added to the Zion
promotional DVD at display booths and church showings.
 iv. Literature: Be produced such as a logo, flyer etc.

v. Campus Experience: The department is given a window in the “Campus

Experience” to profile the dept. and recruit for it through some public involvement.

vi. Chapel: Once a semester the dept. is given a chapel for two purposes. One,
recruitment of undecided students. Two, for educational exposure to future leaders
of the great value of children’s ministry and the local church.

d. SNED District: The district gives viable support to the program. Some suggestions might
be.
i. Announcing it at District Counsel.
ii. Giving it a voice on the Quarterly flyer.
iii. Gather and give mailing and emailing lists of churches and children’s ministers. (I
doubt they even bother keeping track of children’s pastors, if that is right we use
students to gather and create a list for them as a courtesy).
iv. District underwrite events from children’s ministry funding for additional services
we give them such as sectional rallies, fun arts etc.

e. Chapel: Once a semester the dept. gets a “Whole Chapel” service to entice current
students to the dept. and profile the value of children’s ministry to the future pastors who
tend to isolate from it.

f. Campus Experience: Children and Family Ministries gets a brief window to profile their
dept. each campus experience 5 min. with a demonstration of what we do. This could be a
skit, game etc.

g. Letter head & Buisness Cards: Business cards must be purchases for professional
etiquette.

8. VISION
a. Set by those leading the department and affirmed by department heads and leaders:
Zion would give stronger ownership and vision casting to the children and youth dept. in
creating the vision statement of the dept.,

b. Casting Vision:
i. At the School: Exposure in chapel and campus experience.
ii. Alumni: Get the endorsement of the Alumni publications.

9. FUNDING
a. Creative Budget Shifts: A re-allocation of funds that skims from well budgeted
departments such as promotion or alumni and utilizes them in the promotion of this dept.
to ensure its success for profiling it properly.
b. Gain a District Grant: Since the A.G. in SNED is inactive with children’s ministry see if
they might underwrite a grant. This could be under the “training seminars” or “Weekend
Retreats” we offer to the district lay leadership. It gives us exposure, them ministry to
leaders of children’s ministry and those teaching a financial remuneration.
 c. The National A.G. Children’s Dept. See if they would underwrite a grant.

d. Seek a grant from Ten to fifteen denominational churches who value children’s
ministry: Some individuals and churches:
i. First A.G. in Phoenix AZ Tommy Barnett.
ii. Evergreen Christian Church, Olympia WA Dale Oquist
iii. Dan Betzer FL
iv. James River A.G. Springfield, MO
v. Bethany A.G. Agawam, MA
vi. Others

e. Inquire from other institution other avenues that could fund this dept. Group, Life
Way, Integrity music, etc..

9. Networking:

a. Guest speakers/lecturers are neither secured, encouraged for children’s ministry

b. Poor chapel presence of the minor/major (should be minimal of 2x a year).
c. No promotional materials
d. An unwillingness to creatively shift budget finances to accomplish networking through
faculty presence at conferences and institutions where other significant workers exist to
develop relationship and presence.
e. Zion does not procure faculty to speak at other colleges or network with other institutions
cross ministry pollination.

QUESTIONS

1. Who will be the director of this tract?

2. While you underwrite two conferences a year for networking and promotion on a local, regional,
and national scale?
a. N.A.P.C.E.
b. CPC Orlando / San Diego CA.
c. AG National Children’s Ministry Conference.
d. District & General Counsel.
3. Who would I be accountable to?
4. Will you put our conclusions in writing?
 AVENUES OF DEVELOPMENT

The
Fellowship
Zone
The The
Mentor Retreat
Zone Zone

The The
Refreshing KIDZONE Resource
Zone Zone

The The
Conference Education
Zone Zone
The
Camp
Zone

The Fellowship Zone: Each section will be encouraged on a district and sectional level to bring children ministers
to sectional & district events to create a context for fellowship among children’s ministers at already existing
gatherings.

The Retreat Zone: Once a year a two night three day retreat will take place (Preferably on the campus of Zion
Bible College. Costs will be kept low when possible to enable volunteers and children pastors attendance. The
retreat will begin on a run Friday to Sunday encouraging pastors to release children’s workers one Sunday for their
intensive refreshment and development. Keynote speakers and guest lecturers will be used to provide a high
quality exchange of ideas, workshops and spiritual investment.
 NETWORK OF EXPERIENCED CONSULTANTS WITH LIMITED TIME

Dick
Gruber
VFCC
A.G. Dr. Linda
National Cannell
Children’s GCTS
Min. Dept.

Dr. Barry Dr.Greg

Corey Carlson
Dean of Trinity IL.
GCTS Paul
Conway

Other Dr. Denise

Consultans Muir
to Kjesbo
Bethel
Consider Seminary
Chair
Chris
Corbett N.A.P.C.E.
Northwest And
University CAFE

Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo: Bethel Seminary Director of the MA in Children and Family Ministry and Lead Faculty
Member. Constructed a modular program for the MA in Children’s and Family Min. that requires two weeks of residency.

Dr. Barry Corey: Academic Dean of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Former Director of Development current
board member of Zion Bible College.

Dick Gruber: Director of Children’s Ministry Dept. VFCC, Former National Children’s Direction, National Evangelist,
Children’s Pastor and founder of Children’s Ministry University online education.

Dr. Gregory Carlson: Director of Christian Education at Trinity in Dearborn IL. Former President of NAPCE (North
American Professors Christian Education). Former Prof. of Grace Bible College and current leader and Director of the
Rorheim Institute of teacher training and research.

Dr. Linda Cannell: Prof. of Christian Education Gordon Conwell theological Seminary, former Director of Doctoral
Studies in Christian Education at Trinity Dearborn IL. Founder of Can do spirit network and Ted Ward Foundation.

Chris Corbett Recently Developed Children and Family ministry tract at Northwest University by the appointment of the
President of the college.

Networks: Assemblies of God (S.N.E.D. & National Office) N.A.P.C.E. (North American Professors of Christian
Education. Can do spirit (Linda Cannell’s network of International Christian Educators).