Assessing Your Children’s Ministry Rock-Solid Kids: Assessing Your Children’s Ministry Here is a matrix for you to use. Each of the eight principles is based on a chapter in this book by Larry Fowler. Each is listed, followed by four suggestions from the corresponding chapter as to how it might be accomplished in your church. A blank line is included for you to add your own suggestions. A rating scale is on the left. Here’s how to use it: Use the scale for a pretest with your children’s workers. See how they rate your ministry right now. Self-test once every six months. Track your progress. Finally, use it as a tool for peer evaluation when you ask another church to come give you its perspective on how you are doing. Assessing Your Children’s Ministry

Rock-Solid Principle 1: Ministering to children is a high priority. Children’s ministry is included in church objectives. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s ministry leadership enjoys a “peer status” with the leaders of other ministries. 1 2 3 4 5 Church budgeting reflects a priority on children’s ministry. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 1 Ministering to children is a high priority. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s ministry is included in church objectives. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s ministry leadership enjoys a “peer status” with the leaders of other ministries. 1 2 3 4 5 Church budgeting reflects a priority on children’s ministry. 1 2 3 4 5 Facility use and conditions reflect the importance of children’s ministry. Scale: 1—Always true; 2—Trus most of the time; 3—Sometimes true; 4—Rarely true; 5—Never true 1 2 3 4 5 Facility use and conditions reflect the importance of children’s ministry.

Rock-Solid Principle 2: The responsibility for children’s ministry first belongs to parents. Adults are regularly encouraged and equipped to relate what they are learning to their children at home. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers deliberately act to involve parents in their child’s spiritual education. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents understand and take ownership of what their children are learning in the children’s ministries. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 2 The responsibility for children’s ministry first belongs to parents. 1 2 3 4 5 Adults are regularly encouraged and equipped to relate what they are learning to their children at home. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers deliberately act to involve parents in their child’s spiritual education. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents understand and take ownership of what their children are learning in the children’s ministries. 1 2 3 4 5 The majority of parents in the church place a high priority on the spiritual training of their own children. The majority of parents in the church place a high priority on the spiritual training of their own children. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Principle 3: Scripture is the foundation of our content; relevance follows. Scriptural content is the primary criteria in choosing curricula. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers consistently demonstrate the high value they place on God’s Word. 1 2 3 4 5 Learning Biblical truth is the foundational objective for all ages. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 3 Scripture is the foundation of our content; relevance follows. 1 2 3 4 5 Scriptural content is the primary criteria in choosing curricula. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers consistently demonstrate the high value they place on God’s Word. 1 2 3 4 5 Learning Biblical truth is the foundational objective for all ages. 1 2 3 4 5 Relevance to life is the basis for the application of Bible truth. Relevance to life is the basis for the application of Bible truth. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Principle 4: Spiritual training of children is the core lifestyle of the home. A majority of parents regularly teach their children God’s Word. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents receive regular, specific training on how to integrate God’s Word into their home. 1 2 3 4 5 Materials for the home are promoted and made available to parents. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 4 Spiritual training of children is the core lifestyle of the home. 1 2 3 4 5 A majority of parents regularly teach their children God’s Word. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents receive regular, specific training on how to integrate God’s Word into their home. 1 2 3 4 5 Materials for the home are promoted and made available to parents. 1 2 3 4 5 Scripture memorization is a regular discipline encouraged in children’s ministry and in the home. Scripture memorization is a regular discipline encouraged in children’s ministry and in the home. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Principle 5: Every child feels safe and loved at all times. The children’s ministries have a consistent, positive, and well-communicated system of discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s ministry workers are trained to build and maintain a healthy, proper relationship with students. 1 2 3 4 5 Child protection policies and procedures are defined and implemented consistently. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 5 Every child feels safe and loved at all times. 1 2 3 4 5 The children’s ministries have a consistent, positive, and well-communicated system of discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s ministry workers are trained to build and maintain a healthy, proper relationship with students. 1 2 3 4 5 Child protection policies and procedures are defined and implemented consistently. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents are trained in how to discipline their children. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents are trained in how to discipline their children.

Rock-Solid Principle 6: Children serve God as soon as they are ready. Opportunities abound for children to serve God in the church. 1 2 3 4 5 Standards (including salvation) for serving are made clear before children are offered the opportunity. 1 2 3 4 5 Children receive training and close adult guidance for their ministry activities. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 6 Children serve God as soon as they are ready. 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities abound for children to serve God in the church. 1 2 3 4 5 Standards (including salvation) for serving are made clear before children are offered the opportunity. 1 2 3 4 5 Children receive training and close adult guidance for their ministry activities. 1 2 3 4 5 Service opportunities help children to feel they are a vital part of the local church. Service opportunities help children to feel they are a vital part of the local church. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Principle 7: Children’s workers communicate the gospel with clarity and urgency. Children’s workers are trained in how to present the gospel. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers can express the gospel message and how children are to respond with saving faith. 1 2 3 4 5 Children regularly hear the gospel message and are allowed to respond as the Holy Spirit prompts them. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 7 Children’s workers communicate the gospel with clarity and urgency. 1 2 3 4 5 Service opportunities help children to feel they are a vital part of the local church. 1 2 3 4 5 Children’s workers can express the gospel message and how children are to respond with saving faith. 1 2 3 4 5 Children regularly hear the gospel message and are allowed to respond as the Holy Spirit prompts them. 1 2 3 4 5 Invitation methods do not confuse the child or muddle the message. Invitation methods do not confuse the child or muddle the message. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Principle 8: Children have regular opportunities to trust in Christ. Evangelism of children is a priority of the church leadership. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents receive training about how to lead their own children to Christ. 1 2 3 4 5 Allocation of church resources reflects a recognition of the fruitfulness of evangelizing children. 1 2 3 4 5 Rock-Solid Principle 8 Children have regular opportunities to trust in Christ. 1 2 3 4 5 Evangelism of children is a priority of the church leadership. 1 2 3 4 5 Parents receive training about how to lead their own children to Christ. 1 2 3 4 5 Allocation of church resources reflects a recognition of the fruitfulness of evangelizing children. 1 2 3 4 5 The church sees much fruit in children trusting Christ as their Savior. The church sees much fruit in children trusting Christ as their Savior. 1 2 3 4 5

Rock-Solid Standards Scoring