{"id":9102,"date":"2024-01-18T07:02:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/leadership\/?page_id=9102"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:03:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T14:03:12","slug":"nextgen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nccumc.org\/leadership\/nextgen\/","title":{"rendered":"NextGen Faith Builders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you oversee faith formation or kid-min programming for children in your congregation? Want to connect with others engaged in the same work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four cohorts have completed this curriculum. Would you like to join the next cohort beginning in Fall 2026? Sign up now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’m Interested!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About the Cohort Experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tell me more!<\/strong> Cohorts of up to 12 children’s ministry leaders gather together to delve into the essentials of building a strong children\u2019s 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\u2019s leaders and guest speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commitment:<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About the Facilitator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rev. Carol Van Buskirk is a United Methodist Deacon passionate about transforming the world with God\u2019s inclusive love. Carol has a seminary degree from Claremont School of Theology, with emphases in religious education and worship arts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2019s ministry workers through her website: GLU-Kids.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026-2027 Cohort Dates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our next cohort will begin in September 2026 and will continue through March 2027, meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month with an orientation on September 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session Descriptions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Session 1: Gathering and Getting to Know One Another<\/strong>
September 2, 2026, 12pm \u2013 1pm<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 2: Planning, Planning, Planning<\/strong>
September 9, 2026, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Planning children\u2019s ministry means organizing and scheduling for effective and predictable ministry. Learn how to manage an annual children\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 3: Creating a Trusted Church Home<\/strong>
October 14, 2026<\/strong>, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019 safety and spiritual development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 4: Volunteers are a Gift<\/strong>
November 18, 2026, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Successful volunteer management and relationship building are essential in children\u2019s ministry. Learn how to identify the right leaders for your ministry and determine your volunteers\u2019 gifts. Leaning into their gifts means more fulfilled volunteers who find the joy of serving that brings them back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 5: Faith Formation by Age and Ability<\/strong>
January 13, 2027, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 6: Moving your Ministry into the Community\u2026Thinking Beyond the Church<\/strong>
February 10, 2027, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

How can you share Christ beyond the walls of your church? Can your children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 7: Making your Ministry Integral in the Life of the Church<\/strong>
March 10, 2027, 12pm \u2013 1:30pm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

How can your children\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Join Our 2026-2027 Cohort<\/strong>!<\/h2>\n\n\n