PROGRAMS/STRATEGIES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY

Programming in itself is not bad. Problems come when:

* a program takes on a life of its own rather than being seen as a tool to a greater purpose
* a program exists because "we've always done it this way"
* a program becomes a priority over people

Validate the existence of the various programs using the following questions:

(1) Does it line up with the overall purpose of the church?

Each program or strategy in the church should have a distinct purpose that fits within the overall church purpose which is to love God and to love people, accomplished through worship, nurture, evangelism, fellowship, and benevolence strategies.

The Christian Education ministry of the church focuses more on the nurturing or building up of believers. Programs and strategies should therefore be developed to help people learn more about God and His ways with the end result of loving Him more. Worship, evangelism, fellowship, and benevolence may be included within the various Christian Education programs but not as the primary objective.

(2) Does it have a distinct objective within the overall purpose?

Avoid duplicated efforts, especially if you have limited resources.

(3) Does the spiritual yield merit the resources required to effectively carry out the program?

Certain types of programs require a lot of manpower and/or financial expenditure. Can you justify it in light of available resources against the eternal value it promotes?

(4) Are the resources required to effectively carry out the program available?

The Christian life is a journey of faith. God may want you to step out and do something for Him that seems beyond your means. However, He will ultimately provide for that which He desires. If the resources just don't seem to be forthcoming, ask God if the program or strategy is His will for your church.

(5) Does it stem from prayer as God's idea or is it the result of following after another church or after the ideas of man?

Because something worked well in another church doesn't mean it is God's plan for you. Because you think something is a good idea doesn't mean God wants you to do it. Because something didn't work well in another church doesn't mean God won't use it in your church.