Children's and Family Ministry
To train, resource and encourage children and their families so they may grow together in Christ and live a life of Christian witness and service
At Good Shepherd, children are important! We welcome children and their families to worship with us, we provide age-appropriate learning experiences on Sundays, and we help families grow in faith together at home. Here are some ways this is happening:
Kids on Sundays:
Kids in Worship
We invite children to be a part of and contribute to our worship experience together, often through specific things like a children's talk, or asking them to pray for their parents or bless the congregation.
Get in the Zone! (during school term)
In the Zone is our Sunday children's program where children engage in age-appropriate learning experiences with police-checked volunteer teachers and assistants.
8:45am Service: Kindy Zone – for children aged 3-5 and those in Reception.
10:30am Service:
- Baby Zone (Crèche) – is available for children aged 0-2 years at any time during the service.
- Kindy Zone – for pre-schoolers aged 3-5 and those in Reception.
- Kids' Zone – for children in school years 1-3.
- Kool Zone – for children in school years 4-6.
Kindy, Kids' and Kool Zone begins part way through the service.
Activity Sheets
If you would rather your child stayed with you in the service, look for the worship hosts who will bring folders and pencils around with activity sheets.
Family and Faith
From time to time special resources will be made available to specifically help you nurture faith in your home. Often these will coincide with special events/seasons in the church year. Please make use of them!
Want to Get Involved?
Got a heart for serving God through children and family ministry? Then please contact our Children and Family Ministry Team Leader Laura Carson at lcarson@paravista.org.au
Web resources for family and faith
Looking for some faith friendly websites for you and your children to explore to help you grow together in God and have some fun? The following list provides some suggestions that might provide great opportunities for you to spend time together with your child. Of course, these are just suggestions - you should always check the sites out thoroughly for yourself to ensure you are satisfied that they are appropriate for your child.
Kids
www.clubhousemagazine.com (Focus on the Family), www.redboots.com
Families
www.formingfaith.com, (recently recommended by Pastor Peter) www.families.org.au, www.focusonyourchild.com, www.familylife.com, www.faithink.com
Youth
www.youthspecialties.com, www.youthfire.com/index.html
Mothers
www.justmoms.com/index.htm
Fathers
www.christianfathers.com, www.menofintegrity.org, www.maninthemirror.org
Parents
www.thinkwenotme.com, www.homeword.com, www.cloudtownsend.com, www.parentsforchrist.com, www.christianitytoday.com/parenting, www.parentsinc.org.nz/home
