EDITORIAL: Childrens Ministries
I am so looking forward to being part of the St Albans team who will be working in our children’s ministries this year. What a thrilling opportunity to plant God’s seed of love and friendship into their hearts and minds. A child’s mind is like a sponge soaking up the waters of life and it is of vital importance that “God” is the main ingredient. The “world” is adding its fertiliser to our children’s sponges and tainting them unashamedly, so we need to give them tools to address the mess.
Sonbeams, STAKS (ST Albans KidS), MAX and CIA (Christians In Action), our Sunday programmes for 0 – 16 year olds, provide one means to do this and we’d love you all to be a part of this. Not everyone likes to be up-front but God gave us ALL talents to use. Some are hosts, some like to tell stories or collect stamps, work computers, run games, make candles or care for animals. If you have something to help our children in their walk with God, then let me know. I promise not to rope you into a lifelong commitment to children’s ministries! If you only come once, for 30 mins, we would be rapt; and think God will be too.
Our 1WAY performance team has ended. Ministries have their season, giving us a chance to move in other directions.
‘Flipp-It Life Skills’ Business
I’m still amazed how, just when I think I have God’s direction sorted, He can change our course. For Michelle and me, God’s new road is a small business we’ve just established, teaching physical confidence and gymnastics to pre-schoolers. This will happen at the the FMG Building (Arena Manawatu), Waldegrave Street, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tumble Tots will not continue at St Albans.
For many years I have taught gymnastics for PN Gym Club and run Tumble Tots at St Albans, developing physical skills in children. Our society is becoming more sedentary and we need more physical activity. I believe we can educate parents and children on how easily this is achieved and the lifelong benefits it offers. The casual confidence classes are aimed at educating both the preschoolers and their mums together.
Flipp-It also affirms that physical fun is for everyone, no matter what their physical and mental abilities. We will plan a programme to suit the needs, ages and stages of any group of children.
Finally; I believe God wants us to provide more than physical education to our Flipp-It families by helping them out in other ways. I don’t know what that will mean but know God will show us.
Our God is an awesome God. Sometimes even listening for Him can be hard. But if you hear His leading, following that can be even harder. So church family, pray, listen, hear and put your hard hat on, God wants YOU to do things for Him and sometimes outside your expectations.
”Direct your children onto the right path and when they are older they will not leave it”. Proverbs 22:6 (GNB)
God bless,
Russell Seagar
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