Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
From the Desk…
Events
News & Resources
OUR CORE VALUES
How We Believe God Would Have Us Accomplish the Mission And Vision
Leadership Development
- Form youth to be leaders.
- Plan and implement leadership training for youth.
Faith Formation
- Plan and implement events and programs intended to lead children, youth and their families closer to Christ and toward a life of discipleship.
Equip Adult Leaders
- Encourage and support youth leaders through events where leaders can share experiences, successes and resources.
Support
- Develop and maintain communication to inform youth and youth leaders about upcoming events, using email, social media, monthly newsletter.
- Provide publicity for events in a timely manner.
mission statement
What We Believe God Has Called Us To Do
We believe God has called us, in partnership with parents and adult leaders, to cultivate faith formation, leadership development, fellowship and service by, with, and for ELCA children and youth and communities.
Vision Statement
What We Hope God Will Do Through Us
Our vision is for all youth and children in SC to experience God’s love and grace.
From the Desk of Deborah Poole

Children’s Ministry (Part 1)
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (PART 1)
Creating an environment that fosters spiritual growth and reflects God’s love is essential. Here are some best practices to help you cultivate a successful children’s ministry, ensuring it positively impacts the next generation.
I. Building a Solid Foundation:
- 1. Establish Core Programs:
- Curriculum: Choose age-appropriate, biblically sound curricula.
- Interactive Learning: Use crafts, games, and storytelling for engagement.
- Teacher Training: Provide regular training for effective teaching.
- 2. Prioritize Safety:
- Background Checks: Mandatory for all volunteers.
- Clear Policies: Develop and enforce safety protocols.
- Open Communication: Keep parents informed about safety measures.
- Adequate Supervision: Ensure sufficient adult supervision at all times.
- 3. Recruit and Equip Volunteers:
- Personal Invitation: Prayerfully identify and personally invite volunteers. Do not only give general calls for help.
- Volunteer Recruitment Events: Host events to share your ministry’s vision.
- Mentorship Programs: Pair new volunteers with experienced leaders.
- Appreciation Events: Regularly recognize and celebrate volunteers.
- Clear Expectations: Clarify roles, responsibilities, and support.
- 4. Cast a Compelling Vision:
- Articulate the “why” and “where” of your ministry.
- Help the congregation visualize a captivating future.
- What has God placed in your heart and mind for the children?
Key Principle:
“The aim isn’t to grow children’s ministry; it’s to grow children” in their love and devotion to Jesus.
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Youth Leadership Opportunities
Our synod’s Children, Youth and Family Ministry includes many ways in which youth are involved in leadership beyond the congregation. Contact Coordinator Deborah Poole (deborah@scynod.com) for more information or to suggest names!
The CYFM Cabinet is key in managing the vision and mission of the synod’s CYFM. Click below for an application form:
Youth Ministry Task Force Application – Google Forms
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Resources
VB-Yes: Why Special Events Are Still Important
VB-Yes: Why Special Events Are Still Important – Ministry Spark
VBS Prayer Countdown
Summer Bucket List
DKM Faith and Fun Summer Bucket List
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Religious Education During the Pandemic: A Tale of Challenge and Creativity
Religious-Education-During-the-Pandemic_April-2022.pdf
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Amazing resources at LIVING COMPASS, including teen and kid resources
Kid Resources — The Wellness Compass Initiative
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How do some youth ministries consistently connect and thrive? Springtide’s “What’s Working” project uncovered a key ingredient: adaptability. Leaders share how listening, pivoting, and embracing “failures” will transform your ministry.
Effective Youth Ministry Strategies: Adaptability – Springtide Research Institute
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Is Your Congregation Ready?
The Formation Co-Op requires a commitment of time and energy. It’s not about providing ready-made answers but offering a framework for new ways of thinking and being in youth ministry. To help discern if this is the right step for your congregation, we encourage you to use our Congregation Readiness Assessment Tool.
🌱 Formation Co-Op Readiness Assessment Tool.pdf – Google Drive
Each Hub has its own structure and dates. For more details and to apply, please visit our Formation Co-Op Applications page. Formation Co-Op Applications
Note: Deacon Sandra Holland and Paige Gibbons of St. Andrews, Columbia participated in Group B and are willing answer your questions. You can listen to their podcast here (#11) Faith Listens.
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How to Plan a Master Calendar for Your Ministry’s Success
Apologies if I already shared this.
How to Plan a Master Calendar for Your Ministry’s Success – Ministry Leadership Center
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Just for June
Father’s Day
25+ Ways To Celebrate Father’s Day – Small Church Ministry
7 Father’s Day Ideas for Churches
Juneteenth
20 Inspiring Juneteenth Activities To Celebrate the Holiday
7 Joyful Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth This Year
Pride Month
30 Pride Month Activities To Promote Love and Acceptance
Churches can engage in various activities to celebrate Pride Month, such as:
- Hosting inclusive prayer services to support and celebrate LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.
- Marching in parades behind banners of choice, showcasing their commitment to inclusivity.
- Setting up booths for community conversations and support.
- Creating welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals, offering a sense of belonging and acceptance.
- Utilizing resources like hymns and liturgy specifically written for LGBTQIA+ individuals to uplift the community.
- Providing training for participants to ensure everyone feels confident and informed about their church’s approach to Pride events. These activities not only celebrate the diversity of the human family but also help to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families within the church community.
Organizational structure
newsletters
Resources& Links
ELCA Faith Formation
Growing Young Assessment
Living Our Baptism
Implementing the ELCA Faith Practices in your Ministry Setting

RESOURCES FOR MARCH 25
Ash Wednesday/Lent
Ash Wednesday for Families
Ash Wednesday is an important reminder of why Jesus died on the cross
Lent in a Bag: An Activity for Church or Home
Lent Activities for Kids – Ministry To Children
Celebrate Lent In Your Children’s Ministry
40 Lent Activities for Families (That Are Simple And FUN)
Discipleship Ministries | Ash Wednesday, Year C – Youth Lessons
YOUTH GROUP LESSONS ON LENT | Ministry to Youth
Lent ideas for your youth ministry
Women’s History Month
Celebrating 50/40/10 years of women’s ordination – Women of the ELCA
10 Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month | Happied
Women’s History Month Activities for All Ages (Free Posters)
Resources for February 25
Valentine’s Day/Love
Youth Group Games – Valentine’s Day | Ministry to Youth
Christian Valentine Party Ideas for Church33 Valentine’s Day Church Ideas Everyone Will Love
President’s Day
Children’s Sermon: Presidents’ Day – A Great Time to Pray – Kids Bible Lessons
United States Presidents’ Day Holiday Ministry Resources
Black History Month
27 Best Black History Ideas for Church to Celebrate
Random Acts of Kindness (Feb. 17)
10 Ways to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with Kids
20 Random Acts of Kindness for Kids and Families
40 Random Acts of Kindness for Youth
Resources for January 25
Epiphany (January 6)
Epiphany Celebration Ideas for Families and Churches | Faithward.org
Super Simple Epiphany Crafts and Activities for Kids – The Kennedy Adventures!
Children’s Arts & Crafts for Epiphany | ehow
Epiphany Activities and Ideas: Creative Ways to Celebrate the Season
Chalking the Door: An Epiphany Tradition
World Religion Day (January 19)
How to Celebrate World Religion Day
What is World Religion Day? | Teaching Wiki | Twinkl
Martin Luther King Day (January 20)
3 Creative Ways to Honor MLK Day – YouthMinistry.com
Ministry Matters™ | Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
3 Children’s Messages for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Group Activities Sunday School Resources |…
EVENTS
4th Thursdays
@ 7:00 p.m.
Connecting Leaders – Zoom Meetings
Contact Deacon Deborah Poole for the Zoom link via email at deborah@scsynod.com.
Jan. 2025
Love in Action Weekend (By Conference)
Join your conference for a special accompaniment project
Jan. 24-26, 2025
Middle School Retreat at Camp Kinard
Something special for those in Grades 6-8
Feb. 7-9, 2025
Elementary School Retreat at Camp Kinard
Just for those in Grades 1-5
Apr. 6, 2025
Love in Action Weekend (By Area)
Join your area for a special accompaniment project
May 9-11, 2025
High School Retreat at Coastal Retreat Center
Time away for those in Grades 9-12
SC Lutheran Youth Summit
Worship! Workshops! Connections!
Jun. 28 – Jul. 4, 2025
Camp Hugg
Jul. 7-11, 2025
GraceWorks
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
Looking for Something?
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James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission