Miami Harvest Church

 If you are a parent or guardian click here for more info about our Children's ministry:

Parents Guide to Our Place

Miami Harvest Church’s ministry for children is dedicated to the teaching and nurturing of every child that enters our doors in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ in a secure and safe environment. All our teachers are interviewed personally and background investigations are done before they are assigned to their classroom.

Classes are divided according to age or child’s ability to comprehend the material being taught. Our nursery holds children from newborn to 24 months. The Toddler group holds children from 2 years old to 4 years old. Five year olds are allowed to stay in the toddler group if they have not started kindergarten yet. The children’s group is for 5 year olds (in kindergarten already) through 12 years old.

 

OUR PLACE MISSION STATEMENT

Miami Harvest Church’s ministry for children is dedicated to the teaching and nurturing of every child that enters our doors in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ in a secure and safe environment.

MISSION STATEMENT TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Miami Harvest Church Children’s Ministry seeks to empower parents in reaching their children for Christ as they teach them to be totally dedicated followers and disciples of Christ.  

CORE VALUES

I. Child focus and targeted:  Why? Children will be willing to invite their friends.

    A) Do things children enjoy

    B) Appropriate song styles

    C) Teach at appropriate level

II. Safety:  Why? Children must be able to say, “I am safe at my church.”

    A) Children are too aware of shootings, terrorists, gangs, bullies, abductions, abuse, etc.

    B) Physical

         1) Make sure all staff are believers

        2) Background checks on all people involved in caring and teaching of children

        3) Tagging of children and their belongings

        4) Sign-In and Sign-Out process

    C) Emotional

        1) Tone and attitude of voice and expression

        2) No labeling

    D) Spiritual

        1) Children encouraged asking questions

        2) Children encouraged bringing up their struggles and tough issues

        3) Staff is “Jesus with skin on.”

III.  Teaching is relevant and applicable to everyday living.  Why? The 3 whats: know what (what we plan to teach), so what (how is it relevant), now what (how do I do it).

    A) Children need to know that God has given us everything we need to know to understand life and their purpose

    B) Children need to know that God’s truth does not change and cannot be found anywhere else but the Bible

    C) Children need to know that belonging to a local corporate body is imperative if they are going to reach the goals and desires places in their hearts by God

IV.  Creative Bible Teaching

    A) Use creative ideas to make the teaching of Bible truths and church doctrine fun and relative to children.

    B) Whatever method we use to teach, the truth must remain intact

        1) Games

        2) Competitions

        3) Storytelling

        4) Role Playing

        5) Arts and crafts projects

        6) Use of technology as appropriate

V.  OUR PLACE will include the whole family in the learning experience.

    A) To help them form and shape children’s character

    B) Staff willing to listen to children and families

    C) MHC children’s ministries must make OUR PLACE a time and a place to allow children:

        1) To know and be known

        2) To love and be loved

        3) To serve and be served

VI.  OUR PLACE is fun.

    A) Keep children coming back

    B) Children will invite their friends

    C) It is possible that a family may come stay simply because their children like it and look forward to coming

Why and How of OUR PLACE

I.  Families do not want to attend a church that has no children’s program

II.  Things to consider:

    A.  How clear and contagious is this ministry’s vision?

    B.  How is the volunteer energy in this ministry?

    C.  Am I willing, as a leader, to catalyze change even if I do not have the answer or plan?

    D.  Accept that God allows chaotic seasons in order to prepare this ministry for future change.

    E.  How many families stop attending church because the struggle to get the children to go is not worth the effort?

III.  What does Jesus expect?

    A.  If OUR PLACE is done well, the best hour will impact the way children live the other 167 hours each week and even change the rest of their lives.

    B.  Jesus wants us to believe that ministry matters.

    C.  Matthew 19:14 – “Let the children come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of God.”

    D.  OUR PLACE is a life changing business not simply a diaper changing business.

IV.  We must see!

    A.  See kingdom potential in every child.

    B.  See that what we do really does matter. 

    C.  Acts 2:39 – For the promise is unto to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD out God shall call.

VI.  Reaching children with the gospel and growing them up as disciples is a two-fold mission.

    A.  Become more effective each year.

    B.  Push to get better.

    C.  PI/QA:  evaluate what we do and how we do it.

    D.  Expect to see fruit.

    E.  Stagnation is a quick pathway to hinder children from Christ.

VII.  Gauging children’s spiritual maturity or point of full devotion.

    A.  Every child needs to understand Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

        1.  Grace is a gift.

        2.  Forgiveness is received through prayer and repentance.

        3.  Ask Jesus to be with us and guide us.

        4.  Teach and model the gift of grace; that it is to be shared with other children that do not know about Jesus.

    B.  Growth

        1.  Change happens from the inside out.

        2.  Inward change is not based on rules.

        3.  Inward change is based on desire from children.

        4.  Parents’ stories of their children are an indicator.

    C.  Gifts

        1.  Offer children opportunities to explore different gift areas.

        2.  Allow them to observe adults in the church body model the use of their gifts.

    D.  Good Stewardship

        1.  Of time not just money.

        2.  Teach kids there can be good uses and higher purposes for time and money.

        3.  This teaching will set up children for success in the battle against greed and self-indulgence.

    E.  Small Groups (goal for the future)

        1.  One adult for every six children

        2.  Safe setting for spiritual growth.

        3.  Give children a sense of connection.