About this programme
The course is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to mission and ministry with children whatever context you work in. There are ten modules which can be taken in isolation or in the order given below. Each module introduces the key concepts for the theme and then explores how these can be applied to both your practice and you as a practitioner. Every module starts and ends with a reflective prayer activity designed to inspire how you enable the children you work with the engage with the Bible and pray.
Our prayer is that as you watch, think, talk, jot down your ideas and put things in to practice not only will you grow in confidence, but the children you are engaging with will grow knowledge and love of God.
Children’s Ministry Essentials is a programme of 10 modules packaged together. You can read more about each of the courses included below.
To receive the £20 programme discount for buying all 10 modules of Children’s Ministry Essentials in one go, use the coupon code “CMEProgramme” when purchasing the programme. Click ‘Pursue the program’ button to buy all 10 modules for the price of 8.
Some denominations and organisations who are members of CMN may have their own deal, contact your regional/national children’s ministry team to find out if this is relevant to you.
About Ministry Essentials
As part of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), the Children’s Ministry Network (CMN) representing all the major denominations in the UK have collaborated to develop flexible training resources for those engaged in mission and ministry with children and families
- Children’s Ministry Essentials
- Family and Intergen Ministry Essentials
Both courses are designed to be delivered in a variety of ways including online and face to face. Once registered every participant is given access to all the online material that they can engage with at their own pace. This includes short videos explaining ideas and concepts, and interactive exercises that help you to think about how what you have learnt applies to your own context.
Many of the denominations involved are also offering extra support for learners in the form of gathered sessions either online or face to face. Get in touch with your local contact to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Programme related questions
Can I start this today?
Enrolment opens on 1st October 2024, from this date you’ll be able to sign up for each of the modules individually or for the whole programme. Access to all the courses will happen on 6th January 2025 as the official launch date.
When can I take Children’s Ministry Essentials?
Children’s Ministry Network offers ‘Children’s Ministry Essentials’ as a self-paced programme of courses for you to take at anytime. Once you have clicked the ‘pursue the program’ button and paid for the programme you’ll immediately be able to begin learning by locating the courses listed on your ‘dashboard’. Begin with Module 1: The world of the child.
If you want to take the course through a ‘facilitated delivery’ please look for information through your organisation for when the next planned training is starting.
Which order do I take the Modules in?
We encourage you to proceed in numerical order. Start with module 1: ‘The world of the child’ and finish with module 10: ‘Leadership and teamwork’. While it’s possible to take them in any order, there has been careful thought to craft the development of you as a leader in the order of the modules.
Delivery type questions (Online vs Facilitated Group)
How can I take this programme?
You can take this course in two ways
- Online self-paced on TheologyX
- In person or via video conference through a facilitated delivery using TheologyX
If I take this in person via the Facilitated delivery option do I need to purchase the programme?
Yes. Every participant needs their own access to the courses on TheologyX. All the resources are provided within the course.
Is ‘online self-paced’ or ‘in person facilitated delivery’ better?
Children’s Ministry Network and its member organisations and denominations offers two ways to engage because people enjoy learning in different ways. Some people love learning online with a freedom of engaging with material at their own pace and at a time that works for them. Others may enjoy learning as part of a group and having a dedicated time to attend a session each week. One might be ‘better’ for you, but you’ll get the same great teaching whichever you choose.
What does it mean to be an ‘online’ participant?
Being an ‘online’ participant allows you to engage with all the modules on your own and at your own pace. All the material is available to you as soon as you purchase the programme or courses. You can engage all at once or module by module.
There are some activities for online participants and some activities for facilitated groups. As an ‘online’ participant you’ll look for the activities with the ‘online’ themed symbols. These are introduced at the beginning of each course.
What is ‘facilitated delivery’?
Facilitated delivery means that you will join a group of other participants to specifically journey through the ‘Children’s Ministry Essentials’ programme of courses or ‘modules’ and a leader(s) will lead you through the material. This may be offered via a video conference platform such as ‘Zoom’ or it may be delivered in a physical venue such as a church meeting room. You will use TheologyX to log your learning and find your resources for the sessions and you will be guided through it by a leader.
How will I know which material is for me as an ‘online’ or ‘facilitated group’ participant?
At the beginning of each course, you’ll be introduced to the symbols to look out for throughout the course. If you’re an ‘online’ participant you’ll complete the activities with the ‘online’ themed symbols and if you’re a ‘facilitated group’ participant then you’ll complete the activities with the ‘facilitated group’ themed symbols, your facilitator will also help guide you.
What do I do if I get stuck on the online self paced option?
This course is written with instructions on how to use the learning activities and guidance added in for what to do and when. If you get a technical issue and can’t resolved it on your own send the TheologyX team a message via the ‘contact us’ page giving them information about what you’re experiencing and where it is, and they may be able to assist.
I am unable to attend all the facilitated delivery sessions, can I still be part of a facilitated group?
Yes! The great thing about ‘Children’s Ministry Essentials’ is that you have access to material for both the online participants and the facilitated group participants. If you can’t make one of the in-person sessions, simply complete the ‘online’ participant material for that module instead.
Will I have other participants to engage with if I take the course online self-paced?
Mostly you will be reflecting and engaging with the learning on your own. You may find some learning activities have the option to share your responses and read those of other people in exchange as you work through the course material.
Practicalities
Can I share access to the programme with someone else?
No. Every participants needs their own access. TheologyX logs your responses and some of the questions in the personal development sections particularly are for private reflections to help you develop as a leader. Your certificate of completion is produced in the account holder’s name, you can’t share.
Please note, if you have a shared email address, only one TheologyX account can be associated to each email address. You will need to use your own email address or that account will always be assigned to the first user who created the account.
I want to sign all my leaders up, how can I do this?
If you’re part of a member organisation of Children’s Ministry Network (CMN) via Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), contact your regional/national children’s ministry team as they may have a deal for you and your leaders. Check the CMN ‘members‘ list.
If you’re entirely independent from CTBI and CMN, you can contact TheologyX to discuss a bulk pre-payment and in exchange receive a code for your group to take the programme. Alternatively each leader will make payment as they enrol themselves in the programme.
Finance questions
How do I pay for the Programme or for individual courses?
After clicking ‘Pursue the program’ button on this programme page or the ‘Enroll’ button on a course page you will be taken to the payment system which will require you to input your bank card details to pay for the programme or course.
How do I get the discount for buying all 10 courses in one go?
Click the ‘Pursue the program’ button on this page which will load the payment system. Under ‘coupon code’ enter ‘CMEProgramme’ and apply it, this will discount the payment from £100 to £80.
TheologyX will not refund you if you failed to enter the coupon code and paid full price.
My organisation offers a different deal, which coupon code do I use?
You should only input one coupon code into the payment system. Use the one which is best for you.
Please note that TheologyX will not refund you if you entered the wrong code and paid a higher amount.
I forgot to enter the coupon code and was charge £100 for the programme, can I get a refund?
TheologyX will not refund you if you failed to enter the relevant coupon code and paid full price.
I am unable to continue with the programme at this time, can I get a partial refund?
Your access to ‘Children’s Ministry Essentials’ continues as long as your TheologyX account exists. It may be that you find an opportunity in the future to continue with the training and you can pick this up at any time as all the material is ready and waiting for you. TheologyX will remember your progress and you can return when you’re ready.
TheologyX does not provide refunds.
