When I began directing children’s ministries at an Anglican church in 2013, I didn’t feel like my wish list for a new curriculum was too lofty.
I simply wanted a curriculum that:
Focused on the character and action of God in the metanarrative of Scripture
Followed the general rhythm of the church calendar
Built biblical literacy, helping children understand how stories fit together in their Bible
Prepared children and adults for intergenerational worship by guiding them into asking questions of the text together
Had flexible timing to only last the length of the sermon
Packed away completely for multi-purpose classrooms
Worked with rotating volunteers who only served once/month and weren’t reliable for more than about 10 minutes of preparation time
Adapted for groups ranging in size from 15-35 children
Fit our church budget: no extra tech purchases, no color printers required, and no one-time use materials that meant I wouldn’t be able to re-use my investment on a 2-year rotation
I had recently moved into a community with a large Hispanic population, and as children from the neighborhood began stopping by to borrow storybooks or play my piano, I was increasingly aware of how racially and culturally homogenous all my Christian resources were. There’s a rich heritage of Christian art from communities around the globe, an appropriate introduction to global theology for children.
Did I mention that I’m not into cheap crafts inevitably smooshed into the corners of the Honda Odyssey? Frankly, I have better ways to invest my time than coordinating pipe cleaners, googly eyes, or craft foam.
Needless to say, I began writing my own lessons.
Initially I didn’t intend to publish for other churches, but as I’ve found that I’m not the only person with the list above, I’ve spent the last year building a website, editing lessons for distribution, and connecting with churches around the U.S. It’s still slow going (a one-woman operation), but I’ve edited over 100 lessons (about half the total) for distribution, and am now distributing through digital downloads.
I’m not in any way convinced that Worship with Children curriculum is the magic best fit for every congregation, but I am finding that it’s filling some holes in the half-dozen congregations that currently use it each week. If your church’s wish-list looks anything like mind did above, download a free sample lesson or get in touch!