During the period when COVID-19 restrictions were in place, the work of children's ministry leaders was made especially difficult. Unable to meet with children in person, the children's pastors were pushed to become more creative than in the past in order to reach youngsters via virtual means.
For those who take part in CONNECT Children's Ministry, a program of Lancaster Bible College (LBC), a resource to help inspire innovations was already in place. CONNECT, which has been bringing together children's ministry leaders for the purposes of networking, brainstorming, and fellowship for several years, was created by Deb Hinkel, former director of the Children and Family Ministries at LBC.
In the spring of 2020, the group began meeting online. In addition to bringing together more than 50 ministry leaders each month, the virtual gatherings featured well-known speakers from around the world and attracted attendees from up and down the East Coast of the United States.
Kobi Martin, pastor of children's ministries at Hopewell Church in Elverson, participated, and he appreciated the opportunity to gain perspective. "For me, the most valuable thing ... is a space to step out of all the little details of ministry to take a look at the big picture," he said. "CONNECT provides the time and space to talk about what we are really trying to accomplish and hear the successes, failures, and struggles of other children's ministries."
Mary Edwards, director of KidMin at Gateway Church, Parkesburg, noted that the timing of the presentation about "Online Children's Ministry" at a November 2019 gathering well before COVID-19 restrictions were in place, was especially helpful to her. "Dr. Sarah Holmes Zoomed into our time together, (and) she taught us methods to engage children virtually through various teaching styles," recalled Edwards.
Once the pandemic hit, CONNECT became an invaluable resource. "(CONNECT) was super helpful during the pandemic when suddenly all the rules changed, and we all needed to figure out how to redefine success, how to use new resources, and not lose our minds at the same time," said Martin. He pointed out that CONNECT organizers calling in speakers from across the globe during virtual meetings was "super cool and encouraging."
Edwards said that her involvement in CONNECT has given her tools to strengthen her ministry and that she often returns from meetings with information she can use to train her KidMin leaders at the church. During the pandemic, she was inspired to offer a Remote Learning Center in the church, where students had a safe space that provided Wi-Fi and allowed students to complete school assignments while parents worked.
Esther Zimmerman, interim chair of Church and Ministry Leadership at LBC, who currently heads up the program, said that the group will begin meeting in the Olewine Dining Commons at LBC, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, on select Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Planned meeting dates include Sept. 16, Oct. 21, and Nov. 18. In 2022, meetings are planned for Jan. 27, Feb. 24, and April 28. A special evening event will be held on March 24. More information about LBC may be found by visiting http://www.lbc.edu.
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