Church Christian Education Ministry Overview


Christian Education Ministry of the Church

What is Christian Education in the Local Church?

Christian Education Ministry involves the administration and coordination of programs or strategies to facilitate the spiritual growth or discipleship of believers into Christ-likeness.


What are the Basic Elements Needed to Accomplish an Effective Christian Education Ministry?

Click on the headings below to learn more about the various components involved in this process.

Philosophy Behind Christian Education:

A church needs to develop a sound philosophy for Christian education based on the Word of God. A sound philosophical statement is not enough, however, to experience the transformation of lives. What is on paper must be put into practice for it to make a difference. Too often an incongruence exists between what is on paper and the actual operative philosophy of the church's leadership.

Staff Needed:

The Christian Education ministry of the church is not a one person job. It takes many people working at different levels and in different capacities. When working as a team, key leaders of the various areas will have a much greater effectiveness than if they focus only on themselves and their own areas of responsibility. A Director of Christian Education certainly can provide pivotal leadership. Without the support of the pastor and other church leadership, this person can only go so far.

Levels On Which Spiritual Growth Happens:

Listening to a sermon in the corporate worship service is not enough to facilitate true growth. Discipleship also needs to be happening on the personal level, one-on-one with fellow believers, in small groups, and in mid-size groups. Each of these levels offers a different dynamic to the growth process.

Groupings In Which It Happens:

While breaking people into groups according to age, needs, interests, or abilities can be helpful, we must be careful not to totally fragment the body. In whatever we do, we must line up with body life principles.

Strategies / Programs Through Which Christian Education Happens:

Traditional programs have served the church well in the past. Many churches, however, are experiencing a decrease in attendance and commitment to some of these programs. Should they be abandoned? If so, should they be replaced with something else?

Models That Can Be Used Within the Various Strategies:

Before abandoning a program, perhaps we would do well to examine the structure used in it. As with strategies, we often default to the traditional formats for these programs. Perhaps it is time to examine some other models to see if they would better fit your particular church's profile and needs.

Other Factors Needed:

To carry out strategies, decisions must be made about curriculum, facilities must be evaluated, a budget must be proposed, policies must be developed, and scheduling must be coordinated.

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Christian Education Ministry Resources

Need a big picture perspective and biblical principles for coordinating the Christian Education ministry in the church? Order the Christian Education Ministry Manual.
 
Want to work at getting your Christian Education leadership team on the same page? Order the Christian Education Leadership Team Training.
 
Looking for some guidelines and resources to administrate the Christian Education ministry of your church? Order the Christian Education Files.

Better yet, order the Christian Education Ministry Bundle which includes all three of these resources.