Children’s Ministry Cohort
The Children’s Ministry Cohort is a covenantal learning group for educators seeking to be well equipped leaders in transforming the world in the area of children’s ministry in the local church.
Overview
The Children’s Ministry Cohort is a covenantal learning group for educators seeking to be well-equipped leaders in transforming the world in the area of children’s ministry in the local church. Participants will dialogue and engage with one another; collaborating how to grow personally as disciples while serving in the context of children’s ministry.
The Children’s Ministry Cohort is a one year commitment in which participants will read, dialogue and reflect upon topics encountered in the area of Children’s Ministry within the local church. The Cohort will meet two days every other month to discuss these primary areas: Theology, Ages and Stages of Development, Leadership, Praxis of Children’s Ministry, Pastoral Care, and Curriculum. In addition, each participant in the Children’s Ministry Cohort is required to attend a Called and Gifted to Lead Workshop (cost not included in the cost of the Cohort).
Critical thinking and theological reflection is extremely important for those working in children’s ministry who do not merely want to perpetuate the way things have been done in the past. Emotional, relational, and spiritual health are critical to long-term impact. This program is designed to provide space for participants to dialogue, reflect, and engage with others in children’s ministry.
The Children’s Ministry Cohort offers a practical guidance that surpasses any training offered at a seminar or convention. The structure of the program offers a safe space for individuals to share, accountability, along with thoughtful dialogue and learning in six primary areas: Theology, Ages and Stages of Development, Leadership, Praxis of Children’s Ministry, Pastoral Care, and Curriculum.
Application Process
- Complete and return the application. It’s a simple form with basic information and questions about why you want to be involved as well as an acknowledgement of the cost and time commitment involved.
- Space is limited to 10 participants. Applications are accepted immediately until July 1, 2015.
- Upon receiving your application, you will be contacted to talk through details, motivation, and availability.
- Upon acceptance to the cohort, you will have an opportunity to speak into the actual dates for the group meetings.
Cost
- $330.00 for the year for housing (or $55.00 for each session).
- The full fee is due prior to the first session (or prior to each session).
- All other expenses (travel, meals, books, Called and Gifted to Lead) will be your own responsibility
Structure of the Year
The cohort will meet every other month for a year. Accepted participants will have an opportunity to speak into the actual meeting dates, but once set, the dates will not be flexible. Location for the 2015-16 cohort is Mt. Shepherd Retreat Center, 1043 Mount Shepherd Rd. Ext, Asheboro, NC. Each meeting will be two days long, starting at 10am the first day and running through the evening; second day will begin at 8am and finish by 3pm. Cohort members will also participate in a
Called & Gifted to Lead retreat if they have not previously attended.
In addition to the group meetings, members will be provided a closed social networking site for updates, prayer, questions, and dialogue. This will also be a place for active participation in helping each other with everyday issues in children’s ministry. The combined leadership of this cohort will be available to speak into your specific situation throughout the time together.
2015-2016 Children’s Cohort Schedule
- August: Wesleyan Theology
- September 21-23: Gifted and Called (Lake Junaluska)
- October: Ages and Stages of Development
- December 1-3: Gifted and Called to Lead (Catholic Conference Center)
- January: Leadership
- March: Praxis of Children’s Ministry
- May: Pastoral Care
- July: Curriculum
Cohort Leadership
Rev. Monica Childers is the current President for the WNCC Chapter of CEF and serves as the Minister for Youth and College Ministries at St. Luke’s UMC in Hickory. A graduate of Pfeiffer University, Monica has a passion to lead and teach teenagers and college students about the love of God so that they may grow in a personal relationship with Christ and experience God’s love through service. While not teaching, she enjoys being with her husband and two teenage children or playing cards or board games with friends and extended family.
Rev. Sarah Watkins Davis currently serves as the Minister of Outreach and Nurture at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC. With 20 years of previous experience serving in local congregations in the areas of Children’s ministry as lay, student and clergy, Sarah brings experience and enthusiasm to ministering to, advocating for, and journeying with some of the youngest disciples. Having created an interdisciplinary degree at Greensboro College to fit her passion for serving the church and community she then obtained an M. Div. from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Sarah always has her knitting with her and can fully engage in the conversation while crafting socks, scarves and dishcloths in meetings, at the ball field with her boys and sometimes even in worship! Sarah will serve as the convener of the cohort for the 2015-16 cycle.
Dana Hanlon currently serves as Director for Christian Education at Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC. She has a BA in Religion & Philosophy with a minor in English and Japanese, a Masters of Christian Education with an emphasis in Christian Education & Youth Ministry, and maintains triple certification through the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry in Youth Ministry, Christian Education, and Older Adult Ministries. Dana is a widowed mother with four active children ages 21, 18, 14 and 11. With 25 years of experience she has a unique ability to talk text while driving, juggle massive scheduling and being ever so slightly wacky with friends.
Rev. Sally Queen serves as Associate Director of Ministerial Services for The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Sally’s lifelong love of the church is evident as she lives out her passion for helping others live into their giftedness while discovering their call. She is also an avid tap dancer, mother of three and wife to her high school sweetheart.
Jenny Riley is currently serving in her tenth year at Salem UMC in Denver, UMC. With a BA in Religion & Math from Greensboro College and a MA in Christian Education from Pfeiffer University, she has 22 years’ experience serving local churches as Director of Children’s Ministry or Christian Education. A gifted workshop and retreat leader for numerous local, district and conference events, she is a Certified Director of Christian Education by the General Board of Discipleship/Discipleship Ministries. Jenny is a CEF Board Member in both the WNCC and National Boards. Jenny loves photography, travel, and crochet as well as cheering on her three children at tournaments, concerts and competitions for chorus, band, volleyball, baseball, and dance.
Caroline Wood serves as Associate Director of Discipleship Ministry for the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Caroline has over 25 years in full time lay ministry working in all areas of church life. She finds fulfillment in supporting and journeying with those in ministry.
Community practioners: From time to time during our cohort’s tenure, the leadership will be engaging the resources of community practitioners in the topic of interest. From lawyers to doctors, counselors to clinicians, we will pull together called and gifted leaders to assist us in conversations about such things as marriage/divorce, addiction, grief/loss and more.
Download Printable Documents and Registration Forms
