1. 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

2. Rock-Solid Principle 1:
Ministering to children is a high priority.
Children’s ministry is included in church objectives.
Children’s ministry leadership enjoys a “peer status” with the leaders of other ministries.
Church budgeting reflects a priority on children’s ministry.
Rock-Solid Principle 1
Ministering to children is a high priority.
Children’s ministry is included in church objectives.
Children’s ministry leadership enjoys a “peer status” with the leaders of other ministries.
Church budgeting reflects a priority on children’s ministry.
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
Facility use and conditions reflect the importance of children’s ministry.

3. 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.
Children’s workers deliberately act to involve parents in their child’s spiritual education.
Parents understand and take ownership of what their children are learning in the children’s ministries.
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.
Children’s workers deliberately act to involve parents in their child’s spiritual education.
Parents understand and take ownership of what their children are learning in the children’s ministries.
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.

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

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.
Parents receive regular, specific training on how to integrate God’s Word into their home.
Materials for the home are promoted and made available to parents.
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.
Parents receive regular, specific training on how to integrate God’s Word into their home.
Materials for the home are promoted and made available to parents.
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.

6. 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.
Children’s ministry workers are trained to build and maintain a healthy, proper relationship with students.
Child protection policies and procedures are defined and implemented consistently.
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.
Children’s ministry workers are trained to build and maintain a healthy, proper relationship with students.
Child protection policies and procedures are defined and implemented consistently.
Parents are trained in how to discipline their children.
Parents are trained in how to discipline their children.

7. Rock-Solid Principle 6:
Children serve God as soon as they are ready.
Opportunities abound for children to serve God in the church.
Standards (including salvation) for serving are made clear before children are offered the opportunity.
Children receive training and close adult guidance for their ministry activities.
Rock-Solid Principle 6
Children serve God as soon as they are ready.
Opportunities abound for children to serve God in the church.
Standards (including salvation) for serving are made clear before children are offered the opportunity.
Children receive training and close adult guidance for their ministry activities.
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.

8. 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.
Children’s workers can express the gospel message and how children are to respond with saving faith.
Children regularly hear the gospel message and are allowed to respond as the Holy Spirit prompts them.
Rock-Solid Principle 7
Children’s workers communicate the gospel with clarity and urgency.
Service opportunities help children to feel they are a vital part of the local church.
Children’s workers can express the gospel message and how children are to respond with saving faith.
Children regularly hear the gospel message and are allowed to respond as the Holy Spirit prompts them.
Invitation methods do not confuse the child or muddle the message.
Invitation methods do not confuse the child or muddle the message.

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

10. Rock-Solid Standards Scoring