It’s been two months now since many of our churches gathered. And we’re beyond ready to be back together again. We miss the harmony of congregational singing and the joy of friends and families fellowshipping together in the church halls. Some states have now begun their phase-by-phase reopening plans. Very soon, churches will be able to hold in-person meetings again. When that time comes, it’s important that church leaders have clear plans outlined to help ensure that everyone—and especially the most vulnerable populations—remain healthy.   

One essential area to think through carefully is the church’s ministry to children. Last week, I had the opportunity to partner with three great organizations—the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Sojourn Network, and the Great Commission Collective—to provide some training on reopening children’s ministry. Below you’ll find videos of two webinars, an article with twelve things to consider when reopening children’s ministry, and a phase-by-phase PDF download. My prayer is that these resources serve you.

Twelve Things To Consider When Reopening Your Children’s Ministry

With a group of leaders from the Great Commission Collective, I walked through twelve things to consider when reopening your children’s ministry. The considerations range from team-building to sanitation to sickness policies. At the end of the webinar, the team asked some great questions. Below are the twelve considerations written out in article form for the ERLC:

• Twelve Things to Consider When Reopening Your Children’s Ministry

Reopening Phase-by-Phase (with Mallory Hammond)

Children’s ministry thrives on a culture of trust and a reputation for safety. In the spirit of cultivating and maintaining that culture within Sojourn Network churches, I talked with Mallory Hammond, Kids Director at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, about what reopening may look like phase-by-phase. This second webinar was very conversational. Mallory took the time to answer lots of questions from participants. Here are some notes with links we mentioned and questions asked during our conversation. And here is the phase-by-phase ministry guide created by the ERLC that we reference in the second part of our conversation:

• Phase-by-Phase Recommendations for Reopening Children’s Ministry

Resource List

Because every church community is different and reopening approaches vary from state to state and municipality to municipality, the plan for your church will likely be unique to your context. Below I’ve listed a number of resources that I hope you’ll find to be helpful as you make your plans.

• Carter, Joe, “CDC Document Outlines Guidance for Reopening of Churches.”

• Braddy, Ken, “24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return.”

• Funderburke, Jenny, “8 Questions to Ask As You Plan Reopening for Kids Ministry.” 

• Garrison, Joe, ““Why Clarity Matters When Reopening Your Church.” 

• Lifeway Kids, “6 Considerations for Reopening Your Children’s Ministry.”

• “Roadmap for Reopening Nashville” 

• Stetzer, Ed, and Josh Laxton “What Relaunching the Church Might Look Like Over the Next 3–12 Months.” 

• Surratt, Geoff, “What to Do NOW As We Enter Coronavirus Phase 2.”

• Tarkingson, David, “Our Church Restart Requires More Planning Than the Stopping.”

• The Malphurs Group, The Ready to Reopen Church Checklist.

• Vanderbloemen Group, “Reopening Churches: Leading Children's & Family Ministry After COVID-19,” webinar.