Do you oversee faith formation or kid-min programming for children in your congregation? Want to connect with others engaged in the same work?
Four cohorts have completed this curriculum. Would you like to join the next cohort beginning in Fall 2025? Sign up now.
About the Cohort Experience
Tell me more! Cohorts of up to 12 children’s ministry leaders gather together to delve into the essentials of building a strong children’s program. Whether you have five kids or 50, these sessions will help you think about what children’s ministry can look like in your church. The cohorts meet on Zoom for seven sessions, and include learning, idea-sharing, and mutual support from fellow children’s leaders and guest speakers.
Commitment: One of the NextGen cohort benefits is the community and trust built from regular interaction on Zoom. To facilitate this community-building, we ask all participants to commit to attending at least 5 of the 7 sessions live. Sessions will be recorded for participants who must miss a session.
Cost: The total cost to participate in the full cohort experience is $75. We are happy to provide scholarships for North Carolina Conference United Methodist Churches when needed, bringing the participant contribution down to $25.
About the Facilitator
Rev. Carol Van Buskirk is a United Methodist Deacon passionate about transforming the world with God’s inclusive love. Carol has a seminary degree from Claremont School of Theology, with emphases in religious education and worship arts.
She has more than fifteen years of experience in hands-on kids ministry at various UMC congregations in California, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Carol currently works for the United Methodist Publishing House, and resources children’s ministry workers through her website: GLU-Kids.com.
2025-2026 Cohort Dates
Our next cohort will begin in September 2025 and will continue through March 2026, meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month with an orientation on September 3.
Session Descriptions
Session 1: Gathering and Getting to Know One Another, September 3, 2025
During this introductory session, we will introduce ourselves, get to know one another, chart the path for the following sessions, and get a sense of the resourcing offered in the North Carolina Conference.
Session 2: Planning, Planning, Planning, September 10, 2025
Planning children’s ministry means organizing and scheduling for effective and predictable ministry. Learn how to manage an annual children’s calendar and prioritize what you and your team can do. Right size your ministry for current kids, and determine how you can prepare space for more!
Session 3: Creating a Trusted Church Home, October 8, 2025
How do ministry leaders create a trustworthy environment where parents know kids are both nurtured and safe? Get a handle on best practices and draft an outline of Safe Sanctuaries guidelines and policies so parents can trust the church for kids’ safety and spiritual development.
Session 4: Volunteers are a Gift , November 12, 2025
Successful volunteer management and relationship building are essential in children’s ministry. Learn how to identify the right leaders for your ministry and determine your volunteers’ gifts. Leaning into their gifts means more fulfilled volunteers who find the joy of serving that brings them back.
Session 5: Faith Formation by Age and Ability, January 14, 2026
Deepen your awareness of age-appropriate learning strategies integral to teaching and discipling children effectively. Also, increase your understanding of how to shape your ministry to welcome children with different needs (neurodivergent, sensory needs, ADHD). Discover the abundant resources available to support United Methodist congregations with theologically sound studies and other curricula.
Session 6: Moving your Ministry into the Community…Thinking Beyond the Church, February 11, 2026
How can you share Christ beyond the walls of your church? Can your children’s ministry meet needs in the community? And how could such opportunities provide avenues to engage in mission and enable your congregation to build relationships with people who would not otherwise have visited your church? Learn about the ways the children and youth in your church could be a part of new initiatives.
Session 7: Making your Ministry Integral in the Life of the Church, March 11, 2026
How can your children’s ministry be integrated seamlessly into other ministries? What are the best practices for successful intergenerational opportunities? How can your church support not only children attending programs but also the families who care for them?