A message from the founder, Cathy Fairley.

From time to time, I do jig saw puzzles. I have a certain way of doing them. I start by propping up the box lid where I can always see the picture. It is what guides me as I try to assemble everything.

Secondly, I pull out the edge pieces and corner pieces. That provides the frame into which all the other pieces fit.

Finally, I look for pieces that go together to create one part of the picture, then I move on to another key detail. Piece by piece, I connect it all together.

I love visual images. They help me represent ideas and concepts in a concrete way. I see children’s ministry as a bit like a puzzle: What is the big picture on the box? What am I trying to create?

Simply put, I try to create an environment where children will develop their relationship with God. I want to do more than help them to learn facts, dates, rules and stories. Children and teens need to have experiences that will help them not just to know about God and Jesus, but to truly know Him. There is a difference!

The corner pieces are what I would consider keys to our faith: 1) scripture, 2) church traditions and teachings, 3) stories of people of faith, and 4) the beliefs, values and mission of our faith community.

The four edges provide the additional guiding framework. I make decisions about the details of my children’s ministry activities based on the stories, values and concepts that are key to our faith.

1. I want the children to be active in all that we do, participating, interested and having fun. I want them to want to be there!
2. I want faith to come alive for them. I try hard to ensure that we talk about concepts that connect to their real lives, their questions, their concerns and their ideas. I want what we do together to make sense and be relevant.
3. I want the children and their activities to be well integrated with the rest of the worshiping community rather than happen in isolation. The whole congregation can benefit from hearing about and seeing their activities. Children has so much to offer their congregations!
4. I want the children to have these experiences in an atmosphere where the Christian principles of “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” are very much in evidence.

With the framework firmly in place, I can then focus on the inside pieces the actual programs and activities.

The purpose of Piece By Piece is to provide you with some of the inside pieces — programs that would be a welcome addition to the work you are already doing. The ideas in each volume are of course, are based on approach to children’s ministry my corner pieces and edge pieces. But I suspect that many if not all of my ideas and guiding principles match at least some of yours! My hope is that the ideas included in this volume of Piece By Piece, combined with other resources you have will help you as you build a children’s ministry that will enable your children and leaders to learn and to grow in faith.

Blessings in your work!!
— Cathy Fairley

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