Romans 12 churches that list children’s ministries as one of their strengths frequently follow up by commenting that they attract married couples with children, single parents with children, and families with children to their church community. Once these families enter the doors of the church, how do churches faithfully form young children by cultivating intentional and mutual relationships in the church community?

Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington D.C. describes the way that they accomplish this as building faith memories through infant baptism, fellowship events, and other experiences that build relationships. Over the past two years, their children’s ministry has experienced rapid and significant growth not only in numbers but in commitment to the children in the community. Their Children and Families ministry bridges the gap between Foundry and Spead Children’s Park adjacent to the church. At the Annual Family Camp families with young children learn about God and nature in unique relational ways. Most of the children in their children’s choir are younger than eight, and they sing in the community frequently and with the adult choir twice a year.

Numerous Romans 12 congregations reported that they were known in the community for their early childhood programs. At St. Philip’s UMC in Round Rock, Texas, the pre-school is known for a family atmosphere and as being part of the community. One mother commented that the “teachers make the difference” by offering small classes with individual attention to the developmental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children. She added that the pre-school led them to become members of St. Philip’s.

Questions for Discussion

• What does your church do to build faith memories for young children?

• What opportunities are you providing for both corporate and individual faith formation for the youngest members of the congregation?

• What type of training is provided for those who would like to continue to be in service in children’s ministries?

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