The ultimate purpose of the Children’s Ministry of Park Woods Presbyterian Church is to glorify God. We believe that He has called us to glorify Him by:

• Proclaiming Christ  

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.  (Colossians 1:28-29)

We keep in mind as we teach that Jesus is the message.  All Scripture points to him.

• Approaching the Scriptures as a Great Story to be told

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
that he looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die,
that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,
and in Jerusalem his praise,
when peoples gather together,
and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.  (Psalm 102:18-22)

The Bible is not a how-to book to learn moral lessons, but it is the grand, unified story of God’s Kingdom.  It is the story of how God the Creator has reconciled his rebellious creatures to Himself in and through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  We live under his reign as we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.

• Assisting parents in the spiritual training of their children

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  (Ephesians 6:4)

Parents have the primary responsibility of training their children, but the church community is to share in that.  It is helpful for children to hear the same message from voices other than their parents.

• Encouraging the whole covenant community to participate in this children’s ministry

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.  (Psalm 71:17-18)

The body of Christ becomes more unified as the members work together towards one goal and purpose—to pass on their faith to the next generation.

• Sharing not only the gospel but also our own selves

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.  (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

Ministry to children encompasses not only formal teaching times like Sunday School, but also casual conversations, playing games with them, eating with them at potluck, praying for them, sending a get-well card or a birthday card, etc.