GROUP SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES.Byline: Tracy Valeri Daily News Staff Writer Iris Mears says she realized long ago that church programs for children are underfunded un·der·fund tr.v. un·der·fund·ed, un·der·fund·ing, un·der·funds To provide insufficient funding for. underfunded adj → infradotado (económicamente) and often taken for granted Adj. 1. taken for granted - evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold these truths to be self-evident" axiomatic, self-evident obvious - easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind; "obvious errors" . Consequently, she was among the first to formulate a program for adults who work in children's ministries - including teachers, pastors, day-care workers and parents. Children's Christian Ministries Association is a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. made up entirely of volunteers - about 200 of them - whose objective is to exchange ideas and information. The idea is to give those involved with children's ministries fresh perspectives on everything from vacation Bible school Origins Vacation Bible School (VBS) is the term for a special type of religious education which caters toward children, usually during the summer. The origins of Vacation Bible School can be traced back to Hopedale, Illinois in 1894. D.T. crafts to new legislation that affects children. The association was founded in 1985 as a support system for adults. ``Back when we started, there was very little focus on children in the church,'' Mears recalls. ``But I have letters in my files from people in children's ministry who say, `If it weren't for CCMA CCMA Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (South Africa) CCMA Canadian Country Music Association CCMA Customer Contact Management Association CCMA Christian Country Music Association , I'd have left the ministry a long time ago,' because people get burned out and don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what to do next.'' The organization has grown in the last decade and is even on the Internet. Kidnet is CCMA's Web site, where people can access information on line, chat and conference about ideas, needs and issues involving children. The association also has retreats, workshops, job opportunities and a newsletter with networking ideas, book reviews and a calendar of meetings and events - all devoted to helping adults serve children in the ministry. However, most of the networking takes place at the chapter meetings, which occur monthly at various locations near any of the six regional chapters in California. At the meetings, members bring ideas and materials from their church, camp or school based on the theme designated for that month. Ideas get exchanged, conversations begin, resources are traded and children's leaders walk away with more than they came with, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Mears. Carol Bergeson, the early childhood coordinator at Church at Rocky Peak Rocky Peak is the name of the 3rd highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, which overlook both Chatsworth and Simi Valley, in Southern California. The peak, which is 2,714 feet above sea level, sits on the Los Angeles County/Ventura County line. in Chatsworth, has been involved with CCMA for several years and finds it a valuable resource for people involved in a job that is often underappreciated. ``Generally, children's ministry is labor-intensive and not often recognized or supported,'' Bergeson explained. ``But it's great to have affirmation and encouragement, as well as an opportunity to brainstorm with people who serve kids.'' The idea that teaching children about biblical concepts is the same as teaching general education is a fallacy fallacy, in logic, a term used to characterize an invalid argument. Strictly speaking, it refers only to the transition from a set of premises to a conclusion, and is distinguished from falsity, a value attributed to a single statement. , according to Jo Ann Clark, the director of children's ministries at Glendale Presbyterian Church. ``Childhood is a formative period in our lives spiritually,'' Clark said. ``Children's ministries are difficult to maintain and people don't understand many developmental concepts about kids, but CCMA equips people to hang in the ministry to continue teaching kids about Jesus.'' For information on becoming a member of Children's Christian Ministries Association, call (818) 366-5271. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Iris Mears is the founder of Children's Christian Ministries Association. The Rev. Barney Kinard is vice president of networking. Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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