Transition and Growth in Children Sunday School – A Case Study on Three Cell Churches.

• Main Authors: Ming-Chi Chang, 張明琪
• Other Authors: Ken-Pa Chin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/22131425646389913159

碩士 === 中原大學 === 宗教研究所 === 95 === Transition and Growth in Children Sunday School–A Case Study on Three Cell Churches. This research studies the roles and functions of Traditional Sunday School Ministry according to Christian views on children's education, and through long-term observation of the difficulties and stagnation in children's ministry. The aim of this research is to develop a transition that corrects the fundamental mistakes inherent in present day children's ministry, and build a path forward for children's ministry. The transition proposed is based on“Children Cell Group”pattern in cell group churches. The process and effects of current transitions of children's ministry are presented;the growth structures and pastoral strategies according to the proposed“Children Cell Group”pattern are examined for adoption feasibility. The pastoral belief behind Children Cell Group,“children belong to church”,is actually based upon the biblical foundation of the cell group pattern, specifically, Biblical priority on group and church life pattern. Sunday Children Cell Group pattern includes four functional elements: celebration worship, message and scripture, group service training and evangelism. The three subsidiary factors of cell group pattern: weekly care, ministry training and teaching training are also studied. The beliefs and functions of Children Cell Group pattern are presented to clarify the practical purposes. First, children learn celebration worship to welcome God's glorious presence. Second, children receive and respond to God's Word. Third, children share testimonies and pray for each other to practice how to serve Christ's body. Fourth, children carry out evangelistic campaigns and actions. The above four purposes cover the five complete actions of church life: worship, fellowship (communion), teach, serve, evangelize. Therefore, Children Cell Group pattern not only corrects the traditional Sunday School Ministry, but also transforms children's ministry from the traditional to the present–“Children's Church”, and from the present to the future–“Children's Evangelism.” This research is a case study on three cell group churches–Bread of Life Christian Church in Taipei, Taipei Truth Church and Taipei Grace Lutheran Church. It is vital to find out how the three churches transformed into cell group-based, how their children's Sunday Schools also changed in response to specific needs and developments, and how these churches used “Children Cell Group”pattern to pastor, teach and train children. The commonalities and differences among the three churches are examined. The actual member growths in these churches after the transition are also listed as a proof of the practicality and effectiveness of “Children Cell Group”pattern. This research draws three conclusions. First, it presents explicit results showing how Children Cell Group pattern affects children's ministry. Second, a thorough comparison is made between Children Cell Group pattern and traditional Sunday school in order to prove that Children Cell Group pattern is workable. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses of Children Cell Group pattern is presented for further reflection. Third, this research offers practical advice on children's ministry for all the ministers and workers involved in serving children in the hopes that we will be able to face diversity with wisdom and strength, and contribute to the explosive growth of the church.